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34th out of 80 books
—
84 voters
Last Man Down: A Firefighter's Story of Survival and Escape from the World Trade Center
The Barnes & Noble Review
Anyone who witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York City probably wonders, What was it like to be inside the towers after the planes hit? New York Fire Department battalion chief Richard "Pitch" Picciotto was there, inside the North Tower, evacuating survivors, when the South Tower collapsed. He and his men quickly realized they had only...more
Anyone who witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York City probably wonders, What was it like to be inside the towers after the planes hit? New York Fire Department battalion chief Richard "Pitch" Picciotto was there, inside the North Tower, evacuating survivors, when the South Tower collapsed. He and his men quickly realized they had only...more
Paperback, Large Print, 374 pages
Published
May 1st 2003
by Large Print Press
(first published 2002)
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I’ve been away from Goodreads for some time, now. It is the season for spring cleaning, for squaring away one’s life in anticipation of summer relaxation yet to come, and in preparation for the festive business of the fall. Just because I’ve stopped reviewing for a time does not mean my literary life has ceased expeditions. I’ve got a pile of excellent books, steps high, awaiting review Ops. I finished another this morning, and as I man my garage sale, I’ll begin here.
Last Man Down is the story...more
Last Man Down is the story...more
I found this book at a reduced price in a discount store. I read the preface and thought that for the price that I paid for it, it was "worth the risk". I was initially discouraged by the "fiction" classification that had been imposed on the book by the publishers.
In line with the majority of the World's population, I can still vividly remember the TV images that I was witnessed on that day and witnessed the heroism of the First Responders. My concern was, that any fictionalised account may tri...more
In line with the majority of the World's population, I can still vividly remember the TV images that I was witnessed on that day and witnessed the heroism of the First Responders. My concern was, that any fictionalised account may tri...more
Richard Picciotto brings to life the tragedy of 9/11 in the year 2001. Having already spent an hour in the World Trade Center complex he found himself on the 35th floor with all of his firefighter equipment; out of breath and uncertain of what to do next. Then he heard the roar. The building shook as in an earthquake. It came as if from nowhere. No one moved. Everyone was silent. It was a noise never heard before. It was gaining speed and force; making a horrific, thundering noise.
As I read my...more
As I read my...more
Richard 'Pitch' Picciotto was one of the very few people who survived the collapse of the Twin Towers from the inside, caught up in the devastation of the implosion in the midst of trying to evacuate the building. This is the story of how he and some of his compatriots made it out, and fascinating reading it is too. We are all too aware of the images of September the 11th and most of us must have wondered what it was like to be there on that day. This book gives one unique view, and although it...more
Picked this up from a Bookcrossing Zone. Most of the others had some sort of war theme and somehow this seemed to go along with that. I was however far from certain that I would actually read it out of concerns of voyeurism. And once I realised there was a 'with' author, I suspected it might not be well written and be offensively formulaic.
However, when I picked it up I did not put it down until I was done. It seems to me a pretty straight (obviously other individuals might tell it differently)...more
However, when I picked it up I did not put it down until I was done. It seems to me a pretty straight (obviously other individuals might tell it differently)...more
I have to confess that this book made me cry. I don't think I can read or see anything to do with 9/11 without doing so. I doubt I'm the only one. The author was one of the firefighters who went to assist on that fateful day and ended up being trapped when one of the towers collapsed. Amazingly, he wasn't seriously injured and he and his fellow trappees (I know that's not the proper word but it will suffice) escaped from the rubble virtually unscathed. It's a moving story of such a momentous occ...more
This is the story of the last firefighter out of the World Trade Center on 9/11...he became trapped in a stairwell for approx. 4 hours after the collapse of the tower and then he tells how he, along with others escaped. It was interesting to read from his perspective...and how they had no idea what had happened or what was happening outside. I think everyone has the images of the towers collapsing and then the massive pile of rubble engraved on their brain...and these firefighters were thinking...more
This was another book I picked up at the station where I work. Read it in two days! Not a bad read at all. Richard Picciotto an FDNY Battalion Commander was in the World trade center on September 11th 2001 with a group of firefighters and one civilian when it collapsed sending him and the others into a fight for survival. This story gives me chills knowing what those firefighters were up against that dreadful day. And a whole new level of respect for the courage and sacrifices made that day. A t...more
I really enjoyed this book. I found the author to be a bit arrogant at times but it was interesting to get a point of view of what it was like for Firefighters on 9/11.
After reading the book I read online a lot of the others mentioned in this book and trapped in the stairwell with Picciotto no longer speak to him because of liberties he took. Making up stuff and taking credit for actions taken by others - that kind of ruined the book for me. If it was all true it would be amazing.
After reading the book I read online a lot of the others mentioned in this book and trapped in the stairwell with Picciotto no longer speak to him because of liberties he took. Making up stuff and taking credit for actions taken by others - that kind of ruined the book for me. If it was all true it would be amazing.
I really found a sense of closure in reading this book. I really hadn't understood all that happened after the collapse of the towers on Sept 11. I enjoyed seeing Ground Zero, and this story helped fill in the details. I didn't appreciate his vocabulary however. I think he could have cleaned it up a bit. I'm sure he wanted it to sound real, but I felt that he could have sounded more professional if he had left that out.
I enjoyed this but found Richard to be a bit 'up himself' at times,but his descriptions of being trapped and the moment the tower fell is truly moving and he gives you a real no holds barred picture of what it was like - horrific by all accounts. Excellent descriptive writing and an inspiring story from a very brave man,all be it a bit of a self obsessed author?
Borrowed from public library.
September 11, 2001 Highest ranking firefighter to survive. Trapped in the collapse of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Not tight writing, lots of language. No mention of God except in curses. It's good for information about 911, but not well written.
September 11, 2001 Highest ranking firefighter to survive. Trapped in the collapse of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Not tight writing, lots of language. No mention of God except in curses. It's good for information about 911, but not well written.
Sep 13, 2012
Amarilli
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2000s,
vita-vissuta
Senza voler nulla togliere alla gravità dei fatti avvenuti o alla drammaticità dell'esperienza dell'autore, questo libro non mi è piaciuto a causa del tono troppo autocelebrativo. Sarebbe stata migliore una struttura a intervista, avrebbe accentuato i punti rilevanti moderando il resto.
This book gives so much detail and provides such emotion that you really feel like you are living those terrible hours of 9/11. It even gave me claustrophobia as I read his account of being trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building.
I read this sometime in 2006, but I can't really remember which month.
"Last Man Down" is the amazing story of Richard Picciotto, a NYC fireman who was at the scene of the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Richard tells, in vivid detail, what it was like to experience that day. He describes his role as a fireman during the rescue efforts and tells just how crazy and chaotic the scene really was.
Surprisingly, the book isn't too emotional, except in the ending chapters. Picciotto tells the story li...more
"Last Man Down" is the amazing story of Richard Picciotto, a NYC fireman who was at the scene of the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Richard tells, in vivid detail, what it was like to experience that day. He describes his role as a fireman during the rescue efforts and tells just how crazy and chaotic the scene really was.
Surprisingly, the book isn't too emotional, except in the ending chapters. Picciotto tells the story li...more
I have much more appreciate for our service personnel, firefighters, police, military after reading firsthand the risks they take with their lives and jobs on a daily basis, with the dramatic rescues of 911 being one of the most visible reminders.
This book is a good read, but not great. I think that Picciotto's egotism got in the way of what could have been a truly excellent book on the September 11th attacks. Having said that, I think that all the firefighters, police, EMS and rescue workers deserve credit, and I give him credit for being one of the Bravest. Unfortunately, he chose to boost himself with this book instead of the whole effort.
I read this book b/c my husband did, and it's the first book he's read for fun in a long time. It definitely brings back the events of 9-11, and renewed my respect for what firefighters face when they get called to an emergency.
I heard this guy speak a few months back--the story is probably more exciting in person, but still he's a true hero for going into the tower on 9-11 and then leading a bunch back out after it collapsed.
A first hand account of a NYC fire chiefs four hour ordeal of being trapped in the world trade center collapse. Not a literary marvel but paints the picture of what NYC was like on that day as well as the inside story of NYC firefighters.
I read this book in a day because I just could not put it down. This book brings a new side to the tragedy of 9/11, somebody who was on the inside--literally.
A quick read, and obviously a very real account. Picciotto is a good writer and his story is worth reading. Pretty incredible really.
Excellent survival story of a man caught in the World Trade Center on 9-11 and how he got out.
Great book about the survival of these brave firefighters. I highly recommend this book.
An emotional and moving 'inside' account from 9/11. Not easy to read but well worth it.
A wonderful but ultimately painful book to read. Needed a lot of Kleenez.
I also heard the author speak and he was fantastic!
Excellent true life story of 911. Very good reading
Ghostwritten journalese, but an awe-inspiring scenario all the same
This tale is amazing, but it's tone is self-serving and boastful. The title misleads the audience while the real stories of that day were missed because of a narrow-minded focus.
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Sep 25, 2010 08:56am