What is a firefighter? They are the person next door... They are like you and me with warts and worries and unfulfilled dreams. Yet they stand taller than most of us.The latest book from author and retired fireman David Pike, I Was a London Firefighter is an anthology of factual narratives and fictional tales loosely based around the personal experiences of individual members of the London Fire Brigade. Ranging from the mid-19th century to the present day, the book includes direct reminiscences by former firefighters alongside descriptions of key historical figures like Massey Shaw, Sidney Gamble and Joe Milner. It takes in such subjects as the IRA's 20-year bombing campaign in London and the changing status of female firefighters. Running through the book is a series of gripping historical narratives subtitled 'Yesteryear's Fires', depicting the heroic professionalism of firefighters confronted by truly harrowing disasters. Some of these remain all-too-familiar, such as the King's Cross fire of 1987 which claimed the lives of 31 people; others, no less terrible, have faded into distant memory. The book ends with a fresh and compelling description of a horrifying tragedy that no one can have forgotten: 2017's Grenfell Tower fire. I Was a London Firefighter shares with David's previous works - Beyond the Flames, London Firefighters and Fire-Floats and Fireboats - a careful and comprehensive approach to historical research, an eye for striking and unusual narrative details and an understated humour. Above all, it shows an unwavering appreciation of and empathy for the concerns and drives of the ordinary firefighter, born of David's own experiences as a fireman.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Joining the London Fire Brigade as a cadet at the tender age of sixteen, David Pike was destined to become very much an operational firefighter. Awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct as a young fireman, he rose steadily through the ranks during his thirty-plus years' service within the LFB. He commanded one of London's busiest and most challenging fire stations, Brixton. Heavily committed to raising monies for fire service charities, he rowed himself into The Guinness Book of Records whilst attracting many thousands of pounds through his, and his companions', endeavours. He retired in senior rank from the Brigade in 1996. David now lives in Devon. Austin Macauley publishes David's autobiography Beyond the Flames (2013), along with his previous histories of the London Fire Brigade, London Firefighters (2015) and Fire-Floats and Fireboats (2016).
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 6.41
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Seller: booksXpress, Bayonne, NJ, U.S.A.
Soft Cover. Condition: new. This item is printed on demand. Seller Inventory # 9781528918008
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: USED_FAIR. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR013272252
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR009927852
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 34030103-n
Quantity: 5 available
Seller: BargainBookStores, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.
Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. I Was a London Firefighter 1.11. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9781528918008
Quantity: 5 available
Seller: Books Unplugged, Amherst, NY, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within 1.12. Seller Inventory # bk1528918002xvz189zvxgdd
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Fine. Like New condition. Great condition, but not exactly fully crisp. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages. 1.12. Seller Inventory # 353-1528918002-lkn
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 34030103
Quantity: 5 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 1.12. Seller Inventory # 1528918002-2-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 1.12. Seller Inventory # 353-1528918002-new
Quantity: 1 available