Last Man Down NY City Fire Chief Collapse World Trade Center: A Firefighters Story of Survival and Escape from the World Trade Center By Richard Picciotto, Daniel Paisner

I had seen Chief Picciotto and heard parts of his amazing story on TV last September but nothing takes the place of reading the details of his 9 11, in his own words.
His description of being in a stairwell on the 35th floor of the North tower when the South tower started to collapse will bring tears to your eyes. The recounting of his controversial decision to evacuate the rescue workers that were still climbing up the stairs of the North tower was compelling and probably saved the lives of hundreds of fire fighters. Reading his description of the collapse of the North tower while he was still on its 7th floor is almost as indescribable as the sounds he was hearing. And then his description of trying to figure out if he was dead or alive (maybe this is what it feels like to be dead) are just some of the highlights that come to mind. But after all is said and done, it's the diary of his entire day, in story form, from the senior FDNY officer in the upper floors of the North tower, that puts you in the tower, with he and his men, in one of the most horrible, unimaginable situations the civilized world has ever experienced.
What made the story even real for me is that the book covers about 12 hours of Picciotto's day and took me about 12 hours to read, making it appear as a real time account of this piece of 9 11 history. Kindle As described and well packaged. Kindle I had bought this book when it was first publishes but lent it out and never got it back. This was promptly dispatched in a very strong case that took some opening in very good condition for the price.I am enjoying reading it again. Kindle Having watched the initial terror attack over and over on the television. Then watching the collapse of the towers in a jumble of emotions, tears and prayers it is an honor to have been able to read this book. Thank you for sharing your experience. Thank you for all your years as a fire fighter. Thank you for saving as many as you did. I sincerely hope your vision has improved and may God bless you and yours. Kindle I was very disappointed with the book ending as it stopped abruptly with main character out of hospital and enroute to his fire station. Left me wanting . I couldn’t believe book was over! Would like to have known how many fire fighters were lost in his fire house and also outcome of his eye damage. In addition, would have been nice to hear of outcome of those entombed with him. Kindle

read · eBook or Kindle ePUB Ê Richard Picciotto, Daniel Paisner

A first responders harrowing account of 9/11the inspirational true story of an American hero who gave nearly everything for others during one of New York Citys darkest hours.

On September 11, 2001, FDNY Battalion Chief Richard Pitch Picciotto answered the call heard around the world. In minutes, he was at Ground Zero of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center began to burnand then to buckle.

A veteran of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, Picciotto was eerily familiar with the inside of the North Tower. And it was there that he concentrated his rescue efforts. It was in its smoky stairwells where he heard and felt the South Tower collapse. He made the call for firemen and rescue workers to evacuate, while he stayed behind with a skeleton team of men to help evacuate a group of disabled and infirm civilians. And it was in the rubble of the North Tower where Picciotto found himself buriedfor than four hours after the buildings collapse. Last Man Down NY City Fire Chief Collapse World Trade Center: A Firefighters Story of Survival and Escape from the World Trade Center

Like most people I was transfixed and horrified as tv blared the horrors of 9 11. The bravery of NYC’s firefighters is legendary on any given day, any given fire emergency. That the men and one woman trapped in the stairwell in the dark, surrounded by debris, ash and fumes didn’t panic when all seemed lost. It is unimaginable the terrors they must have faced waiting for rescue, if that was even a remote possibility. Chief Pitch never wavered from his training, from the belief that no man or woman be left behind at his own peril. His steadfastness kept those he was trapped with calm and motivated to stay alive, that he would somehow lead them out while facing his own mortality. An incredible story of bravery. Kindle I loved this book and cannot believe how this firefighter survived 'the explosion of the Century'. God was surely looking out for him and the other survivors. I couldn't put this book down. Thank you to the author and thanks to all the New York firefighters and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice! Kindle This is the true account of Fire Chief Richard Picciotto, a small group of firemen and one civilian after the collapse of towers of the World Trade Center. He tells in great detail what actions he took on that fateful day, and where he was, how he felt, what he thought about after being trapped in the rubble after the collapse of the buildings.

This is a very stirring book about a man who never gave up, and due to his diligence saved the lives of a civilian and other firemen. This man is in every sense a true hero.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a heartwarming true story about 9/11. Kindle Fascinating insider's story of the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Picciotto is a Chief with the Fire Dept. sent to Ground Zero. As he is clearing the 2nd Tower with a group of other firefighters, the Tower collapses and traps him, his crew, some other firefighters, and one civilian in a stairwell. They are buried there for hours, trying to make contact with the outside, and assessing how many are alive with them in the debris filled stairwell above and below them. After hours the dust settles and Picciotto sees daylight far above him. He and a few others venture to climb out of the hole and get the others rescued. But all they see is acres and acres of smoke, fire, debris, and dust. The book was fast moving and tense, and a quick read. Two things I wish had been included in the book: 1) a diagram of the debris field and their location; and 2) an update on how he and the others recovered from the injuries they sustained. Highly recommend this book. Kindle I had high expectations for this book but my hopes were quickly dashed. The author spends a lot of time talking about himself. Additionally there is much fowl language, cursing and talking the name of the Lord in vain. That was particularly offensive since I only bought the book because it was recommended on the Huckabee show Saturday nights on TBN. Kindle