Rating: 
Summary: Should be "Thank You Ladder 6"
Review: During the Summer of 2002, I read Richard Picciotto's book "Last Man Down." While I can appreciate what this man must have went through during the horrible collapse of the WTC, I felt like I was being shovelled a lot of ... His constant reference to his rank and how important he is really turned me off. I have been a firefighter for 18 years myself and I felt the tone he used in writing this book was condescending to the lower ranking firefighters. Recently in "Fire Engineering" online, there was an article about how the crew of FDNY Ladder 6 has spoken up about BC Picciotto exaggerating his role of that day of 9/11/2001. In reading the book, I personally couldn't get past BC Picciotto's insecurities with his position as BC or with himself. By his own accounts, he was the "First Man Down." The true heroes of this story were the captain and crew of Ladder 6.
While the book is an interesting read, you really need to sift through the BS to appreciate the story. Good job Ladder 6!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Could've Been Better
Review: When I first began reading Last Man Down, I found it to be very interesting and I really liked it. I began to tell all of my friends and even my family members that they should read it but my opinion quickly changed. The further I read into the book the more I noticed that the focus of the book went from the horrifying events of 9/11 to Richard Picciotto himself. I mean this was the first book that I have read on 9/11 so I can't compare it to anything but I still think that someone else could've done better on explaining what happened that day. I was asked what was the first thing that sticks out in my mind when I think back about the book and that is that Richard is in very good shape. When that should be of minor importance and what happened that day day should have greater importance. Well that's my opinion and thanks for taking your time to read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Documenting History
Review: One of the most amazing books that i have ever read. One man gives his opinions in a raw unforgiving emotional testimony. He tells it like it was. In years to come.... this will be the book that documented one of the best ,first person accounts ,of a day in American History. You will never understand the sound or the feeling inside the World Trade Center on September 11th without this book. DO yourself a favor and read this book.
Rating:
Summary: and 1/2 stars
Review: This books gives us a first person account of what happened the day the North Tower came to ground. Richard Picciotto is a high ranking fireman in the NYFD and he becomes trapped in the stairwell while rescuing civilians. He is a man used to being in charge and having to wait to be rescued caused him much
turmoil. Even though he was trapped and helpless he was still giving orders to his rescuers on how to find him and save him. Once he is rescued, he goes back to his job. He doesn't thank his rescuers for finding him nor do we hear about the civilians that were trapped in the rubble. This book left me wanting more, not
necessary the graphic details which the book does portray in a vivid manner but more feeling. He told his tale in a dry clinical manner. At times I found myself calling him selfish and just wanting to be a hero. I have read Firehouse which gave you the life behind the men and am currently reading Report from Ground
Zero. The latter book has already given Sept 11 an outlet for showing all sides of that day, which this book failed.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Story of Heroism
Review: FDNY Battalion Chief Richard Picciotto's account of his survival and ultimate escape from the collaspe of the WTC North Tower on September 11 is one of the best stories to come out of that agonizing day. He was the highest-ranking firefighter to survive this collapse, and he and his comrades were trapped under the rubble of the North Tower for over four hours.I couldn't put this book down. Chief Picciotto tells his story with complete candor, and early on you realize how very lucky he and the other men and civilian woman were on that fateful day. It was one of the few miracles to come out of 9/11. It is the bravery of Chief Picciotto and the other rescue personnel, along with the civilian, that grabs the reader and never lets you go until they are all safely out of the remains of the North Tower. Do yourself a favor - buy two copies of the book - and give it to a friend. This story stays with you long after you close the final page
Rating: 
Summary: Self indulgent clap-trap
Review: I'm not a fire fighter but I think that I can appreciate the work that they do and the horror that descended upon the FDNY on Sept 11. Picciotto however, came out of it smelling of roses (and money). If you want to read a book that has a story line that goes something like this "me, me, me, I'm great, I'm in great shape, I'm the Chief, me, me , me" then buy this book. It should first be renamed to "First Man Down - One mans account of himself". With any common sense you can see that Picciotto abandoned his post and his men on a number of occasions that day. Yet he still tries to turn it all around so that he can achieve some kind of Super Man status, while belittling the bravery and hard work of other fire fighters (especially those of lesser rank). Read this book if you want to laugh at his ego, you'll find it in the 'Fiction' section of your Library.
Rating:
Summary: I know guys like this...Rookies!
Review: Just as one small example, read pages 29 to 32, in which the Book Smart Chief "races" through the borough. As a big city professional fire officer, I know guys like this: new kids who can't get a handle on themselves during an emergency. And some times these new kids have 30 or so years in. The most honest statements in the book are when he says "I moved about with a kind of tunnel vision" (page 28) and when he couldn't put his turnouts on enroute (page 30)!
Rating:
Summary: Very weak and boring
Review: There are so many better books out on 9|11 and the firefighters response. This one is a mostly boring account of Picciotto's day.
His second to second retelling of it is so tedious I could never read more than 20 pages in a sitting. I've read a lot on this subject matter and instead of this check out "Report from Ground Zero" and "Firehouse".
Rating:
Summary: last man down
Review: I recomend this book to anyone who wants to know what actually happened and when. This book tells it all. it tells the story of one firefighter who survives in the world trade center (north tower)his minute after minute account of his experience will amaze any reader its just amazing how the events unfolded leading up to the collapse of the tower that he was in. He also saves numerous people trapped from the 35th floor risking himself after realizing that at any moment it could collapse. so I recomend this book to anyone because it tells it all thats why I gave it five stars. you should see for yourself.
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Rating:
Summary: Superman? Not ! Freelancer? You bet!
Review: Let me get this right....Picciotto talks an FDNY dispatcher into allowing him to respond and he abandons his own division. Upon arrival at the command post, he ignores command protocal, commandeers the crew from 110 Truck, then abandons them in the stairwell (because he is in such great shape). He then gives the order for all firefighters to evacuate, lies to several firefighters that he has seen their Lieutenant on floors below and searches each floor as he goes down (last of course). He becomes trapped in the stairwell and he leads all the firefighters out (of course), although he doesn't wait for any of his "brothers", cause he says in the book that by the time he gets off the pile, the brothers behind him are not even in his sight. Then the first time he returns to ground zero, in October 2001, he brings a writer with him (Mr Paisner). WOW. $$$$$$ Recent NY newspaper stories quote firefighters who "doubt" his story and say he overexaggerated. Picciotto himself is quoted as saying that maybe he "assumed" some things happened, which he says occurred (in the book) . And for this he is a bestselling author? Give me a break!!! I have the utmost respect for FDNY and their firefighters. I was friends with several of those who died. Picciotto is a hero because he has served the people of New York for all those years, however, this account he tells tarnishes all that. Save your money or buy Dennis Smith's book "Report From Ground Zero" and get a story that is ALL true, told by those with the morals and ethics to be truthful and accurate, of which Picciotto's account is neither. Signed: A 27 year veteran firefighter.
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