The Noble Breed [Hardcover]

Bill Cosgrove (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In his second book, William Cosgrove takes his readers into the harrowing lives of Chicago firefighters. He not only gives an insightful history of the Chicago Fire Department, but also gives an accurate account of the training that each firefighter endures and stamina required.

Mr. Cosgrove describes some very infamous times in the department's history. He details the terrible night of violence on April 4, 1968, when the news hit that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated. He then continues with a never before told summary of the famous 23-day firefighter's strike in 1980. Giving the firefighter's point of view, he lends the world an insightful look at how these men and women held together against the City of Chicago while attempting to support their families, as well as regain their jobs.

For average citizens who have never really given thought to the public servants who risk their lives, this detailed story helps them understand the pressures and rewards of working in a fire department in one of the largest cities in the country.

Mr. Cosgrove's story not only describes the friendships and bonds with those who have fought beside him, but the pride he feels as a firefighter following in his father's footsteps.

About the Author

William Cosgrove was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised on the south side of the city as one of ten children of a Chicago Firefighter. He proudly wore his father's badge for twenty-eight years on the Chicago Fire Department.

Mr. Cosgrove was also a fire investigator for the City of Chicago. He served as technical consultant during the filming of the blockbuster film, "Backdraft," on which he based his first book, "Robert DeNiro and The Fireman."

Since retiring from the fire department in 1995, he is currently practicing as a licensed private detective, specializing in the origins and causes of fires.

William Cosgrove is married to Susan and is the father of six children, and a grandfather of three.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Rutledge Books (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582440638
• ISBN-13: 978-1582440637
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,230,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Rookie to Fire Service Politics to Union Activities, July 9, 2001

By 

"firetng" (Bellevue, NE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Noble Breed (Hardcover)

The author takes you from the fire which burns within before he gets on the fire department to retiring from the fire department. He lays it on the line. Provides a solid picture of what it's like to be a rookie. Shows some of the heavy handed fire service politics which are present at varying degrees. Most of the author's experience is prior to the current requirements of SCBAs and emphasis on safety. Spent too much time talking about the strike and the union activities but understand how this was a large part of his life. The book is frank about fire, children, LODD, injury, and leadership.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what it is to be a fireman, October 4, 2000

By 

"firemilk" (Taylor, Mi. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Noble Breed (Hardcover)

Right from the start of this book you are draws into the fire service. It give a real look at a day in the life of a fireman. I been a fireman for many years now and I could relate to every thing in this book, from the stresses the job puts on your family life to fighting that fire that you think will never go out. This book show how you become a huge family when you work in the fire service, how you come to depend on that person next to you and you grow to care for one another as a family member, for they are your brother or sister in the fire service. A great read for anyone thinking about becoming a fireman or already is a fireman.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Noble Breed, February 18, 2000

By 

Craig Ferris (Ann Arbor Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Noble Breed (Hardcover)

The book was great! The author paints a clear picture of life in a ghetto fire station. The chapters regarding the strike were fantastic. Anyone with connections to a labor union needs to read this book to see what solidarity and brotherhood is all about. Can't wait for the next one. Craig Ferris AAFD Local 693