The Fire Inside: Firefighters Talk About Their Lives [Mass Market Paperback]

Steve Delsohn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 1997

In the tradition of Mark Baker's Cops, more than 100 top firefighters describe the highs and lows of the world's most dangerous profession.

Fascinating and packed with emotion,THE FIRE INSIDE is a unique look at the unseen world of firefighters who risk their lives for strangers every day In their own words, these male and female heroes vividly describe how they cope with scorching flame, injuries, earthquakes, hazardous waste, and wildfire-and the rewards that keep them climbing back on the fire truck.

Steve Delsohn co-wrote the NewYorkTimes bestseller Out of Bounds with football star Jim Brown. He is also the author of Brother Sam, about Sam Kinison; The Emmitt Zone, about Emmit Smith; and numerous articles for People, Sport, and TV Guide.

"An emotional portrait of uniquely dedicated public servants that will leave readers weeping-or laughing at their gallows humor." -Publishers Weekly

"Harrowing...Vividly realistic." -The Washington Post

"In their unabashed style, firefighters tell it like it is." -Firehouse magazine

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While there's an abundance of television shows about police officers and more than a few about emergency medical folks, lesser attention is paid to fire fighters and their day-to-day dealings with disaster. But Steve Delsohn has found a wealth of material by interviewing scads of fire fighters across the country, from smoke jumpers flown in to fight forest fires to crews in action-filled urban departments. You learn the humorous lingo of fire fighting, where "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff" is paramount. You'll also relive more than a few gripping, emotional stories--the kind that might make good fodder for a drama series. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Firefighters around the country, interviewed by Delsohn, coauthor of Out of Bounds, here present their stories in their own words. The author takes us through fire academies with the probationary firefighters as they are taught to attack fire aggressively. From there we see the "probies" learning the ropes, being hazed by the veterans and finally being allowed to hold the nozzle of the fire hose, the most important and hazardous job in putting out fires. We learn that firefighters frequently suffer from carbon monoxide headaches, that mentors are important, what it feels like to be "cooked" in a fire and survive, and that "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff" is crucial. Delsohn talked with firefighters in major cities and with "smoke jumpers," federal firefighters who battle forest fires. He also interviewed firefighters involved in recent national catastrophes such as Hurricane Andrew, the San Francisco earthquake and the Oklahoma City bombing. What emerges is an emotional portrait of uniquely dedicated public servants that will leave readers weeping?or laughing at their gallows humor.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (May 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061094218
• ISBN-13: 978-0061094217
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,439,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What it's like to be "on the job" fighting fire., May 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fire Inside: Firefighters Talk About Their Lives (Hardcover)

Fires and firefighters have fascinated people since the days of the bucket brigade. In this book, Steve Delsohn has taken the time to get behind the scenes, and talk to the men and women who do the backbreaking, dirty work that is firefighting.

This is a closed society, just because no one else can understand what it is we see day in and day out. Among us are the Samaritans wishing only to help others, the adrenaline junkies who groove on the rush you get going in to a burning building, and the guys who just like the days off.

A lot of people try to get on the job, and not many make it. This is your chance to see what it's like, and who the real people are who man (person?) the firestations around this country. After reading it, you'll understand why I'm proud to call all of them my brothers.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a reader from texas, August 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fire Inside: Firefighters Talk About Their Lives (Paperback)

I have wanted to be a firefighter for a long time.When I started to read this book I thought It was good,but when I finished it I thought it was great.The Fire Inside realy inspired me to do the most I could to be a firefighter.I think everyone who whants to be a firefighter should by this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for anyone considering the fire service, November 12, 2008

By 

Chancellor R (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fire Inside: Firefighters Talk About Their Lives (Hardcover)

I heard Steve Delsohn talking about this book on NPR shortly after it came out,and I knew I had to have it. At the time I was fire chief of the fire protection district where I lived,while working full time on one of the largest ALS ambulance services in the state,and part time as a police officer. I started reading The Fire Inside,and didn't want to put it down. Being so entrenched in public service work it was like a read of my friends, and my own life experiences. It was presented in a very smooth easy to read way from probie to retiree,with rescue and wildland mixed in. The stories brought to mind all those old World War Two veteran,leather lung,go to hell head gear fire fighters that were at the end of thier service when I came on. I found the book to be so good I read a passege from it at every training session. There was something appropriate for nearly every lesson. This book may not be for everyone, but gives an unflinching look into the world of fire fighters as it was in the recent past. It also gives a peek into the mindset of the people who went into public service be it Fire,Police,EMS or emergency room personnel. If you are interested in this topic you may even see a little of yourself in them.