The Firefighting Buff's Guide To New York City : The Five Borough, Five Alarm Reference To The Second Homes of New York's Bravest

Rating:
Summary: Labor of Love
Review: This young man's enthusiasm for all things NYC Firefighting shines through bright and clear. What started as a labor of love between a young boy and his father, namely, documenting their field trips to NYC firehouses to meet the objects of the little boy's admiration and respect for over a decade beginning when the little boy was only a toddler of three, grew into this book when the little boy grew into a young man of 15.
It doesn't purport to be anything other than what it is,one young man's personal encounters with the second homes of NYC Firefighters. It is heartfelt and earnest, excited about it's subject and honestly expressed. It's not the last word, but it is a fine first person account that covers a long period of time both in the life of the young author, and even more importantly perhaps, a period of time both before and after the 9/11 tragedy.If you show up carrying the book at one of the firehouses mentioned in it, many of the firefighters will not only recall the young author fondly, but show their own pleasure and sense of fun for appearing in his book.I know this personally because I did just that.The writing style feels like a conversation, not a lecture. It reminded me of a style of journalism that was popular in radio and television in the 40's and 50's when journalists were regular people and proud of it. Check this book out and take it to NYC firehouses. Show it to the guys and get their impressions and if you really want to give the firemen a thrill, ask them to autograph their house's chapter for you!

Rating:
Summary: What A Disaster
Review: While touring the fire houses in NYC with my five year old son, I took along the "Buff's" guide to New York City. Sadly, I would've had better luck leaving the guide at home. It was not a guide at all, just a description of a few fire houses. After this trip my son no longer has any interest in being a firefighter. The trip was totally embarrassing.

Rating:
Summary: An informed guide on the NYFD -- even for the non-buff
Review: Wonderfully researched book. The author's passion for, and knowledge of, the NYFD is evident in every page of this treasure. I highly recommend the book for anyone who is interested in learning something new about the NYFD; you will learn much more than you expect.