Rating: 
Summary: Disappointingly self-centered view of 9-11
Review: The author, Richard Picciotto, miraculously survives the collapse of WTC1, but somehow manages to do little to convey the warmth he claims he feels for his fellow firefighters or the civilians they risk their lives to rescue. There are moments where he seems genuinely caring, but most of the time he can't empathize with anyone else. He rips into David Lim for being grief stricken over his missing partner. Sure, the partner was a K9 officer, not a human, but so what? K9 officers spend more time with their dogs than their families and Picciotto should have understood what losing a partner was like.His whole frame of reference seems to be anchored to himself such that nothing outside of his narrow view of life is important, thus his tendancy to get angry with anyone who dares to annoy him, like the other firefighters who had a phone but didn't bother to tell him. Yet he admits he forgot his own phone and that if it wasn't with him, it was out of mind. It was forgivable that he didn't think to ask anyone if they had a phone, but not forgivable that they didn't think to tell him. Overall, a book that could have shown a lot of depth and insight into a horrific event wound up showing a lack of depth about the author. It's hard to tell if that is because he is a better fireman than writer, and couldn't communicate how he really felt, or if he really is the self-centered individual he seems to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Big letdown...
Review: I saved this book as one of my 'summer' reading books. As soon as I finished it I tossed it in the garbage; I wish there were no stars as an option. When they do the paperback, they should re-title it: All About Me. Wow, Battalion Commander R. Picciotto is a legend in his own mind. This guy is way too full of himself. I've read better comic books...
Rating:
Summary: American "hero"
Review: Read NY Daily News 26 November 2002 and weep. >In "Last Man Down," Battalion Chief Richard Picciotto depicts himself as a quick-thinking boss who helped save a 59-year-old grandmother from certain death that terrible morning. But another fire chief, three firefighters and a Port Authority cop who were trapped in the rubble for four hours told the Daily News that Picciotto had nothing to do with the dramatic rescue of Josephine Harris, who said last night she never met him.
Rating: 
Summary: What an amazing story!
Review: Richard Picciotto's story touched me to the very core. I wish I could rate this book higher than a 5! He painted a very clear picture of what he and the other firefighters went through and endured. To me, these men (and women) of 9/11 are heroes! I know they have said they were only doing their jobs, but because of them, hundreds of more lives were saved. I was an EMT at the time and was working for a private medical transport company. And on 9/13, I was one of the few who had the honor of going into the city to help. It is an experience I will never ever forget. God Bless all the firefighters, EMS personnel, and police officers who risk their lives every day.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed feelings
Review: This book could be shorter. Mr. Picciotto uses the narrative to tell us how good his is, how competent his is, but I still have to learn what happened to the last civilian that was with him and that he left behind.
Rating:
Summary: Makes you believe in miracles!
Review: This is a great book. Richard Picciotto is not an experienced author, but I kind of like the way he tells his story. It is strait forward and easy comprehensible. The story is about several firefighter's and a civilian's escape from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Richard Picciotto is the battalion chief of the eleventh precinct. He enters the tower in order to rescue civilians. He finds that most of the people have all ready evacuated the tower. But he finds a few lost souls. After a while he hears a loud sound. He can't understand what it is. He hears on the radio that "the tower came down". He can't comprehend it. But after the initial shock, he manages to puzzle the pieces back together. The South Tower is gone. He orders an evacuation of the North Tower. He makes his descent from the 35th floor, checking every floor on the way down for survivors. He finds some handicapped people who can't get down on their own. And he and his fellow firefighters help them down. After a while he hears the loud sound again, and he knows this is the end. Well, is it? He is buried under the rubble. And somehow manages to survive being buried. The story is so unbelievable that it is nothing short of a miracle. If you have seen the images on television, this is the story that wasn't told. This is a story of what it takes to be a firefighter. This is a story about an unbelievable escape. This is a story from the inside. No one believed there would be survivors of a building collapse. But this man survived against all odds and he is here to tell the story. If you want to read one story about 9-11 this is the one. I recommend it to everyone. This is an important part of American history!
Rating:
Summary: Comprehending the uncomprehensible
Review: If we were exposed to Chief Picciotto's book before September 11, 2001, it would have been classified as some freaky piece of science fiction about a fictitous armageddon-like war. We would have snickered and questioned mental health of the author for coming up with such an outlandish story. And certainly we would have assured ourselves that this could never happen in real life, NEVER, but it did. 9/11 shocked us all and put us into a stage of disbelief, and to this day it is still unable to be comprehended. Picciotto does a great job in putting this horrible event into light. Although no book will ever truly tell the whole story of September 11, 2001, this book, filled with ample explictness, at least offers us one view of the thousands and thousands that experienced this horrible disaster.
Rating:
Summary: amazing triumph of humanity over pure evil
Review: At last I have found the book. I heard excerpts of this book read over the radio in Australia but they gave out the wrong title. Listening to what this man went through was absolutely mindblowing and If it was the last thing I ever did I promised that I would get this book for my daughters when they were old enough to understand the tragedy that was sept 11. The narrator spoke with a new york city accent and it almost seemed that I was in there with them, waiting, hoping the emotions were almost to hard to contain and to hear that they got out to see the damage was heart wrenching but awe inspiring because they had survived. If you read only one book in your lifetime make sure that it is this one. Can I get an audio of the book. God bless you.
Rating:
Summary: dose of reality
Review: I thought it was an excellent look into the mind of a professional. The "behind the scenes" description of a fireman's duties made me humble. Just the description of everyone racing down stairs and firemen racing up to whatever danger...to a man and woman, they are a braver person than I am. When next I hear a fire siren, I will silently send them a "God Speed and Come Back Safe".
Rating:
Summary: amazing story
Review: i have had the pleasure of listening to this man speak..... he is amazing. His story is amazing... and the pedastal that he puts his brother firemen is awe inspiring... read the book.... then read it again :)
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