The Fireman's Wife

by Susan Farren

Susan Farren didnt plan on marrying a fireman. Having herself spent several years as a paramedic, she knew too well the dangers of the emergency profession. But as fate would have it, she met Danand everything changed. Suddenly she was married to a man who had wanted to be a fireman ever since he was a child, and she found herself faced with the sacrifices and struggles that accompany this challenging career. Being a firemans wife meant relocating her family, living without her husband for days at a time, and wondering every time she heard a siren if he would make it home safely. Ultimately, it also meant receiving the phone call every firemans wife fears may the news that her husband had been in an accident. Susan speaks on behalf of thousands of firemens wives nationwidethe women who hold down the fort while their husbands are on the job. Their sacrifice is our gain, and for the first time, this book tells their story.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2006

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story of a woman who had her marriage unplanned. She got together wit a fireman. The book is formatted in an easy way to comprehend and read. It included the struggles and fears she had while being with a fireman. The book taught me a lesson which was not everything in the world has to be planned let fate decide it. I recommend this book to anyone interested but especially to those who can relate with or to a firefighter. If you have a "soft" heart you will definitely cry in the end.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly relates what it's like to be a fireman's wife. I lost count of how many times I thought, "That's happened to me!" while reading this book. The author explores all the aspects involved in being married to (or loving) someone in the fire service. She can make you laugh at the silly things that happen to all of us, or make you cry with the fear we try to repress every time our husbands leave for work. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a firefighter, especially if your loved one is thinking about joining the fire service. She offers invaluable insight on what it's truly like to be the wife of a hero.

A special kind of woman; a cut above the rest,
That's a FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE, rating her among the best.
How many goodbyes are shouted, without a fond embrace,
As duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.
How many meals are ruined--or tender moments disturbed,
By the wail of a distant signal, sparking loyalty unswerved.
It's a devil of a job, for an angel like this,
Who...for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss.
She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need,
How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.
She's mother, lover, chauffer, and nurse,
A living symbol of: "for better or worse."
Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life,
Who choose to be the other half of A FIREMAN'S WIFE.
-Author Unknown

[Tayler Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. The author / narrator is entertaining; her personality comes out in her telling of the story. I was also surprised by the ending of the book. I thought for sure I knew where this story was going, and I really enjoyed being able to live in the shoes of a fireman's wife to gain greater understanding and empathy for their experiences married to public servants with dangerous careers.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was charming without being too sappy, and it was just the right length. It made me appreciate the special families of firefighters. I was also impressed to read about the brotherhood found in a firehouse. I think the world would be a better place if communities took care of each other the way this community does.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read for me, a fireman's wife, but I wouldn't recommend it in general, but Mom N. and her friend, Sharon liked it, so who knows.

[Aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.25/5 stars

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So relatable! Loved this book

[Kelly Akemann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can start off by saying that I felt as if this book was cliche. Yes, I know it was a memoir, but it had every fireman cliche I know of. And I am a fireman's wife - 16 years and going strong. I understand that what she went through was rough, but a few things bothered me. I do not need to go through them but I wanted to point out something. A friend of mine is about to marry her boyfriend of many years and he too is a fireman. She was told to read this as it helped so many. If your husband were to work in a big city department or somewhere where there were many frightening events like this, I could see this maybe having some merit. But we live in suburbia where this book would just scare the crap out of me and make me worry more than I do. The fact is things can happen no matter what you choose to do as your profession. Any call at 2:30 am is scary - no matter what profession your husband has! So, in summation, I found this memoir to be the cliche fireman's wife story and not at all accurate for most of us out here.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really hit home and is one of the more realistic perspectives offered to those married to firefighters. This is far from a woman complaining and more her putting the things we all feel and that go through our mind as many of us transition into the new role of a firefighter's wife. Those that have been born into it or have grown up all around it may not understand how difficult the transition/ introduction to this field is for those that have not been around it all their lives and this book nails it. The worrying, loyalty, difficult family roles, schedules and elation of being a part of this new career are all covered in this book from the wife's point of view. It may not be pretty but very few come close to covering what we all feel but never show to the public. Great book! It helped me a lot with knowing that the stuff I will and have been going through with my husband entering the fire service is what other spouses are feeling as well.

[Roni B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Great book for anyone who is married to or in a long term relationship with someone in the fire service.
I laughed & cried at so many pages knowing that I either have been there or truly fear being there.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, simple story about a wife coping with her husband's job, and I totally related! It's funny, even though they've been married a long time and I've only been for less than a year, I had already had so many similar experiences!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir is written by a local author I met at a lady's luncheon. A delightful speaker as well as writer, Susan's book is one of the books on my must read list when I teach memoir writing.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

tarts out good but quickly descends in to whinning

[Amy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that truly captures what it is to be a fireifghter's wife.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting.

[Niccole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be my life!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be married to a firefighter, this is your book! The ups and the downs. Loved it!!!

[Cathy Houston · Rating 4 out of 5]

wife coming to terms with her husband's very dangerous job

[Wendy Congdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read it after Tim got his Firefighter job. I tried before and could not...

[Alegna Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir enlightened me on the possible future I might have as my fiancé is on this career path. The author is very well spoken and witty, which makes reading such a scary piece a bit less scary. Thank you Ms. Farren.