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: 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: A Man & A Miracle
Review: I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. This is the first book that I ever finished in a few days. It is a book from one mans point of view, but that is what makes it so great.. Sometimes to take a walk in someones shoes you have to hear it from them..ANd that is What Ricard does in this fine book. HE makes you feel and see what he felt and went through on a day like 9/11. This book is about Richard the Fire Chief and 9/11. But he tells it like it is and how it went down. He had no clue what was going on outside of the tower he was in. He just kept on pushing to help evacuate the north tower when all hell broke loose... I would recommend this book to ever Firefighter.. I loved it.
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: 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: One-Man Operation?
Review: I'm surprised that I actually read the whole book. It is several hundred pages of one man boasting about his role on this tragic day. If you want to read a very good book about 9/11, try Report From Ground Zero.
Rating:
Summary: One-Man Operation?
Review: I'm surprised that I actually read the whole book. It is several hundred pages of one man boasting about his role on this tragic day. If you want to read a very good book about 9/11, try Report From Ground Zero.
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: 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: 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".
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