Read any good books lately?

**kentbwj** · 01-03-2005, 07:43 PM

Has there ever been a thread on here where people recommend good books they have read? (I did a search, but I don't think it was specific enough.) I would be interested in what kinds of things people are reading in their spare time, as I'm always looking for a good read.

Thanks.

Brenda

**gracie449** · 01-03-2005, 08:21 PM

Just finished "Working Fire (The Making Of An Accidental Fireman)" by Zac Unger. I really enjoyed it -- it's the true account of an Ivy League grad who is drawn to the profession and decides, after having worked and learned about the culture and ethics of the profession, to make his career with the Oakland FD. There's a commendatory jacket blurb by Dennis Smith ('Report From Engine Co. 82'; 'Report From Ground Zero') that sums it up well, IMO:

"We often associate big-city firefighting with the older eastern cities, but you will learn from 'Working Fire' that the firefighters of the west climb as many ladders as their brothers in other parts of America, and with the same attitude of getting the job done no matter the danger. After reading this book you will tell your neighbors about the night twelve houses burned, the poignancy of a firefighter's funeral, and dozens of other memorable events told above the roar of a responding fire engine. I hope Zac Unger becomes an important new voice in the national fire service for with this book he has become one in its literature."

You can get a brand-new or near-new hardback copy on www.amazon.com for very little money -- I got a remaindered hardback for around 3 bucks.

**Adler9116** · 01-03-2005, 08:25 PM

I like to read up on just about anything if I ever get the time. Currently I'm reading "Myths To Live By" by Joseph Campbell. It gets you thinking.

Mike

**SAFD46Truck** · 01-03-2005, 08:26 PM

In the past month or so I have read 3 very good books. Very insightful and thought provoking reading.
- Last Men Out
- 3000 Degrees
- Firehouse

**gracie449** · 01-03-2005, 08:28 PM

I just got '3000 Degrees' from the library today -- I'm looking forward to reading it.

**Weruj1** · 01-03-2005, 08:50 PM

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/sho...ght=good+books

**42VTExplorer** · 01-03-2005, 08:54 PM

The Things We Carry - Tim O'Brien...Great book, had to write an essay on it.

**gracie449** · 01-03-2005, 09:06 PM

Thanks, Weruj1, for digging up the links. (Guess I should have followed the "Before You Post" link's advice, eh? LOL) I did do a half-hearted search through the threads for "books" but most of the recommendations looked like technical manuals

I am also rereading Steve Delsohn's "The Fire Inside", which is a compendium of FF's talking about their lives and work, and Terry Golway's "So Others Might Live -- A History Of New York's Bravest", which chronicles the history of the FDNY from 1700 to the present day. I've read the Delsohn book several times and am reading the Golway account off and on. I'm not a firefighter so I can't recommend Delsohn's book for accuracy and authenticity but maybe some of the FF's and other personnel here would care to comment?

**Weruj1** · 01-03-2005, 09:08 PM

didnt you watch this ? http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php

**42VTExplorer** · 01-03-2005, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by Weruj1
didnt you watch this ? http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php

Of course they did...not.
It's like too much to ask or something.

**gracie449** · 01-03-2005, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by Weruj1
didnt you watch this ? http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php

hahahaha -- that's what I was referring to.

**superchef** · 01-03-2005, 09:48 PM

and I can read something besides textbooks..

I reread "3000 Degrees"
I also just finished reading "Franklin and Winston" which was a great read.

In between those... "Flavours of Southern Italy"

**LFD2203** · 01-03-2005, 10:11 PM

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz.
about a guy in his early 20s who communes with the dead. pretty good thriller.

**FF2BKE** · 01-04-2005, 12:08 PM

I'm reading my way through my Grandfather's nearly complete collection of Louis L'Amour books that I inherited. Good reading all the way around!

**HeavyRescueTech** · 01-04-2005, 01:09 PM

Angels and Demon by Dan Brown. a much better book than his other novel, The Davinci Code

**GeorgeWendtCFI** · 01-04-2005, 02:31 PM

If you are intersted in improving your leadership skills, a good read is "Leadership" by Rudolph Guliani.

**RyanEMVFD** · 01-04-2005, 02:40 PM

Currently reading Mosby's Paramedic Textbook. My national registry test is sunday. After that I'm going to try and finish Allan Quatermain.

**WTFD10** · 01-04-2005, 08:40 PM

"Street Smart Firefighting: The Common Sense Guide to Firefighter Safety and Survival" by Retired DC Bob Bingham of the DCFD.

An excellent book that bridges what's in the textbooks and what happens in the "real world".

**hwoods** · 01-05-2005, 11:21 AM

Being a Railroad Historian in my other life, you can kinda get the idea of what I read. Watch the best seller list for "A Flag That Never Flew, The Baltimore & Drum Point Railway" Coming to a book store near you, once I get done writing it. And getting those 1001 other details ironed out. Don't camp out at the Book Store, It'll be a while. Before anyone asks, I don't have enough background to write in the Fire field yet.

**StayBack500FT** · 01-05-2005, 11:31 AM

Let's Roll - Lisa Beamer

Most Popular

Thread: Read any good books lately?

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Read any good books lately?

also see below..............

since I am on semester break

Just a few westerns.......

Well.......................... ....

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions