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Summary: Read the McKinsey Report First
Review: After Giuliani was term-limited out of office at the start of 2002, the new administration commissioned the security experts at McKinsey & Company to evaluate New York's preparedness and response to the events of 9/11/01 and to make recommendations. Curiously, Giuliani does not even acknowledge the existence of the McKinsey Report, at least nowhere in this book. Perhaps the reason is because it pours ice water on the mindless media hype that has been sold to the America people, and even to the rest of the world, that Giuliani Is God.The McKinsey Report is found at www.nyc.gov/html/fdny. Its authors carefully refrain from finger-pointing, but its implications are clear. For example, since as far back as the first bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 it was well known that the New York City Fire Department's antiquated communication equipment was prone to unacceptable breakdowns in high-rises. "There are approximately two thousand high-rise buildings in New York City today," according to McKinsey. "Field experience suggests that FDNY personnel can communicate reliably in just a fraction of these buildings." As the horror of 9/11 unfolded, "[T]he chiefs [in the lobby of WTC 1] were able to get through to some units, but not others." They had no idea "whether their messages failed to get through, whether the units failed to acknowledge because they were too busy with rescue operations, or whether units did acknowledge, but the acknowledgment did not get through." Meanwhile, police choppers hovering over the towers could plainly see that the fires were doing irreparable structural damage, and that at least a partial collapse was imminent. Tragically, thanks to the city's horse-and-buggy communication technology, the fire chiefs had no way of knowing this until it was far too late. Just pause to consider how many of the uniformed personnel who were killed on 9/11, firefighters and cops alike, might still be alive today had they only been able to stay in contact with one another. After an earlier brush with World Trade terrorism in '93, one would think it would have been an urgent priority to bring FDNY and NYPD technology into the 21st century. McKinsey points out that during the Giuliani years, "[T]he FDNY had considered several of the recommendations in this report before, but never fully brought them to fruition....The Department purchased new UHF radios in 1999, but was unsuccessful in an attempt to deploy them in 2001." In the aftermath of 9/11, the FBI was justly skewered for failing to provide its agents with state-of-the-art computers. Yet, Giuliani's apologists would have us believe, it was too difficult to provide New York's Bravest with state-of-the-art radios?!? Which is worse? Then there was Giuliani's brilliant decision, years before 9/11, to install the city's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in 7 World Trade Center -- against the pleas of fire professionals and other security consultants, who loudly warned him that was one of the dumbest places to put it. For good measure, the OEM facility also had a massive diesel tank, which contributed to the toxic dust cloud that choked lower Manahattan on 9/11. As McKinsey observes with characteristic understatement, "The evacuation and subsequent destruction of the ... OEM further impaired the coordination process among the FDNY, NYPD and other responding agencies on September 11." With "leadership" like this, who needs dissension? Any other mayor would have been run out of town after such a catastrophic fiasco. In this book's next-to-last chapter, Giuliani indulges in snide partisanship, insinuating that former President Clinton should be the scapegoat for 9/11 because the military and intelligence agencies "were not paying attention to terrorism" because they were "underfinanced and underpaid." Like George W. Bush was just a helpless bystander in the weeks and months leading up to 9/11. Is this the same Rudy who forced his city's firefighters to work without a contract for two years? Who is he to criticize the feds for not paying CIA analysts enough money? In light of the Giuliani administration's own bloopers leading up to 9/11, that is truly the pot calling the kettle black. America's mayor? Man of the year? An honorary knight of the British Empire? Gimme a break.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent insight into the events of 911 and structure of NY
Review: Love him or hate him Mr. Giuliani provides a unique and chilling account of the events and recovery efforts of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. He also gives great insight into the approach that he took as mayor of New York to clean up the city, not just telling how he did things by why he did them (backing his achievements with statistical data).
This is a superlative book from a great American.
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Summary: A great man, a great leader
Review: I have learned so many lessons from this book that I can apply to my life as an entrepreneur, mother, author, and wife. Rudy Guiliani is a man who truly knows himself, where he stands, and how to change the world through tough decisionmaking and unwavering leadership. Know thyself. Stand by your decisions. Invite healthy debate. Think. Plan. Be Relentless. Be compassionate, loyal, and noble. Rudy doesn't whitewash reality with Clintonesque platitudes, or apologize for doing what he thinks is right for his family/city/self. I am honored to know him in my lifetime, and truly hope he continues his leadership role in our post 9/11 world. I look forward to hearing about his next venture.
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Summary: Outstanding book - Real life point of view
Review: I wasnt sure what to expect with this but was pleasently surprised. Drags a little at times but the points he makes are worth the read. It is from one who has been there. He tells it like he sees it and his advice reminds me of real life in Nam. No BS just straight forward honest hard hitting leadership advice. It is not whether you agree with his politics - but his leadership is outstanding advice for all of us. Great book for students of leadership.
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Summary: GENUINE LEADERSHIP with GENUINE RESULTS
Review: This is the view of a man that truly focuses on the principles and values that make America great. I think it clear that the fantastic response that the city of New York showed to the disaster of 9/11 was because of the great people of the city of New York and the fact that they had a leader that had the forsight and the courage to prepare, to train, to practice, to invest the time and money to be ready to respond to just such an event. A leader that had the courage to face the truth that New York was and would again be a target for terrorists and not hide from it. In response to his critics had it not been for 9/11 I doubt the benefits that New York city realized under the leadership of this man would have been truly noticed. I think it clear his true ability to lead would have gone unnoticed. Had it not been for 9/11 it would have been largely his critics that would have gotten the attention. To his critics I say it is NOT the people who thrive on whining that makes this country great. It is people, it is leaders like Rudy Giuliani that have the courage to stand up for what they believe, that take action and who take responsibility that make this country great. To anyone that believes in the wonders, the values and accomplishments of American FREEDOM read this book. You will learn the values and principles first hand of a true leader from a true leader. Something you might want to look for in the next election and the elections to come. It is not the political party but the ability to lead. A lesson you can learn in this book. 9/11 didn't make him a great leader it just showed him for who he was all the time.
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Summary: Not read by Rudy
Review: This is not a review but a share of information. The cassettes are not read by Rudy Giuliani. Rudy only read the introduction.
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Summary: sdfsfs
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Summary: It's good For you
Review: I don't read books all that often,but I really was looking forward to diging into this one. I started to read the book and it flowed so well between what happened when Rudy was in office and what he wants to get accross. The book is important. I wanted to read it because I didn't love the man that held my hand through such a horrible time. Not only did he help us get through 9/11 he helped a loved city get back on it's feet. I recomend this book to anyone who wants to know what was going through Rudy's head-whether you like him or not.
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Summary: "wherever they go I'll follow, for I am their leader"
Review: Leadership brings to my mind visions of Mahatma Gandhi watching his people march saying: "there goes my people, wherever they go I'll follow, for I am their leader." Giuliani's book transcended this value-centered/passive leadership styles and focused on taking charge and getting results -- principles that are as timely and practical as the current headlines. Giuliani emphasized getting the best and the brightest for the job, i.e. his former Police Commissioner William Bratton and his former Assistant Attorney Bill Simon -- you read today's newspapers and there is Bratton as the new LA Police Chief and Simon running for California Governor. The concepts are familiar: First things First, Prepare relentlessly, Surround yourself with Great People, Reflect then Decide, Strong Beliefs, Be your Own Man. What is uniquely Giuliani's is in his execution of these principles; how he translated these into concrete results was a captivating first-person narrative replete with anecdotes and insider details. Facts and figures in the book's appendices substantiated the resulting improvement in N.Y. public safety, education, economic development, social services and quality of life. Giuliani is certainly no Gandhi but in his less than perfect way, this book made a difference.
Rating:
Summary: True Leader
Review: Amazing to see how this man changed New York City into the greatest place on earth. He's a true genious and inspiration! Great reading, I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down.
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