The First Responders
On the morning of September 11th 2001, two hijacked jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers. Within minutes of the attack, 36 Emergency Service Unit cops of the NYPD responded to the scene. They divided into six Teams. The first five Teams entered the Towers, and the sixth Team headed for the helicopters to attempt a daring air rescue.
14 of them would not survive.
For the first time, here are the details of what the Emergency Service Unit teams did and saw as they climbed the burning Towers. Burden down with heavy equipment they searched for terrorist “sleepers,” and survivors. Then the first Tower collapsed. Fearing that a second collapse was imminent, the firefighters and the police were ordered to evacuate. Now, the countdown began. In the harrowing final minutes, the police teams encountered everything from the absurd—including, the arrest of a mysterious man in the North Tower—to terrifying close calls. As the second Tower fell, tensions flared, bonds are formed, friends are lost, and tough and street-wise cops learn the true meaning of duty and heroism.
In this book, other stories from the NYPD include the rescue of two Port Authority cops, P.O. Will Jimeno and Sgt. John McLoughlin, who were buried under the collapse of the South Tower; the first flag raising, and the nine-month search and rescue—and the recovery—at Ground Zero.
These important and powerful stories have never been told…until now.
Available on Kindle: USAKindle and UKKindle
What people are saying:
“It is a very moving, amazing, beautifully written book, and you will get deeper into the experiences of what went on on the ground there—the mysteries, as well as, the courage that was shown. These people did not turn back from an impossible situation. They walked into the Valley of Death, and some of them will walk there forever.”—Whitley Strieber, author of The Day After Tomorrow, Communion, & Critical Mass (Dreamland, May 2010)
“It’s very beautifully written and an extremely moving book.”—Rebecca Jernigan, talk show host Journeys With Rebecca (May 22, 2010)
“Ms. Appel takes a fresh, unique look at the events of the infamous day written from the point of view of the police response to the attack….Readers will especially appreciate the insights and knowledge found in the text from those ‘on the job.’ You will get a lot out of this book.”—Eric Wollman, counsel (Police Collectors News, September/October 2010)
Makes you feel their pain, September 11, 2009
By K. Vigiano (Medford, NY United States) – See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: The First Responders – The Untold Story of the New York City Police Department & Sept 11, 2001 (Paperback)
I was told about this book by a good friend of mine (a retired NYPD Sergeant) who lost his son on 9/11, His son Jason was VP for Cantor Fitzgerald.
This book really is a play by play of the events, feelings and thoughts of the ESU cops who worked that day. It really makes you feel the pain and courage of the officers who worked that day.
There is one section that talks about my husband and his Billy Bob teeth. I have that picture the author was taking about, actually my son has it in his room.
The book both made me smile and cry, I couldn’t put it down.
If you haven’t seen it yet and you like this book then watch “Twin Towers” By Rob Port and Bill Guttentag