The Last Men Out: Life on the Edge at Rescue 2 Firehouse

Rating:
Summary: A Reader
Review: A really phenomenal book which is as much a New York story as it is a unique look at the lives and work of an amazing group of firemen. Many of Downey's stories present as interesting a view into a changing city through the second half of the twentieth century as they do into the development of an elite rescue capability within the fire department.

Rating:
Summary: a mini history of new york
Review: I think this is well worth the read. Downey captures a tremendous amount of rich detail about blue collar life in New York. By recording the oral history of a few men, some of them lost on 9-11, Downey captures the cadences, rhythms, foods, and attitudes of working class Brooklyn. It's a mini-history of New York and firefighter lore - told by an author who studied that world before it was shattered by 9-11 and has watched the struggle to rebuild it. It's amazing to think that if Downey hadn't written this book, this oral tradition may have been lost to the rest of us.

Rating:
Summary: A must for firefighters and those who love them...
Review: Only one other book I've read truly captures the true lives of firefighters and their community to the depth and extent that The Last Men Out does. It is called Braving the Waves - Rockaway Rises... and Rises Again, by Kevin Boyle. Boyle and Downey ought to get together and write a TV series that would give us the real, funny, tough, tragic, duty-bound stories of New York firefighters. Good job, Tom Downey!

Rating:
Summary: Great story of NY's heros
Review: The stories in "The Last Men Out" rival those in "Black Hawk Down" for their intensity and telling detail. Tom Downey did a remarkable job reporting this moving, excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book is incredible. The author does a fantastic job of mixing in detailed accounts of historic fires along with the day to day part of the job. Of course the real heros are the fireman, a special breed. There are several anecdotes that show they don't want recognition (in one case, a man wanted to pay them $2000 for saving his mother, but they told him to save his money and buy a smoke detector!), just to do their job. The love of fighting fires comes across in spades as does the work ethic, the humor, the comraderie and the intense drive of the rescue 2 group. The characters are unforgettable. I wanted to cry when one of them in particular died (I forgot his name, but he was the gentle, quiet one who would give neighborhood boys free 10 point checks when they came in to get air in their bike tires.). I was left with great sadness that these dedicated men, everyday heros, are left with very little money for their efforts and most have to struggle by taking second jobs even with their insane hours. We should rise up and honor these men by paying them better salaries and honoring their work. They make our lives possible. By all accounts, this is a riveting book and a great piece of NY/Brooklyn/Queens history.

Rating:
Summary: Great story of NY's heros
Review: This well written book tells the story of NYC fire fighters. Had trouble putting it down because it was so exciting. A tribute to those who save lives.