The Noble Breed

Rating:
Summary: Bad...
Review: I am sure Mr. Cosgrove was a very brave and dedicated Chicago Firefighter, but he is not a writer. This book is terribly written and apparently not edited, so many mistakes in spelling, grammar, sentence tense and structure. It was a real chore reading this book. He has had a valiant attempt to relate the many stories of the brave firefighters with whom he worked but due to his inability to get the story across I am very disappointed. I know there are many stories to be told about these firefighters and only hope someone with some writing skill will some day tell those stories.

Rating:
Summary: what it is to be a fireman
Review: Right from the start of this book you are draws into the fire service. It give a real look at a day in the life of a fireman. I been a fireman for many years now and I could relate to every thing in this book, from the stresses the job puts on your family life to fighting that fire that you think will never go out. This book show how you become a huge family when you work in the fire service, how you come to depend on that person next to you and you grow to care for one another as a family member, for they are your brother or sister in the fire service. A great read for anyone thinking about becoming a fireman or already is a fireman.

Rating:
Summary: From Rookie to Fire Service Politics to Union Activities
Review: The author takes you from the fire which burns within before he gets on the fire department to retiring from the fire department. He lays it on the line. Provides a solid picture of what it's like to be a rookie. Shows some of the heavy handed fire service politics which are present at varying degrees. Most of the author's experience is prior to the current requirements of SCBAs and emphasis on safety. Spent too much time talking about the strike and the union activities but understand how this was a large part of his life. The book is frank about fire, children, LODD, injury, and leadership.