When The Bronx Burned [Paperback]

John Finucane (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Finucane retired as a lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department. Cited several times for bravery, he was granted membership in the Department’s Honor Legion. He was writer, editor, and publisher of the American Irish Newsletter for more than twenty years, and was also the founder and chairperson of the Advocates for a 9-11 Fallen Heroes Memorial (2002–2005).

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (September 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595428304
• ISBN-13: 978-0595428304
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book, December 4, 2007

By 

Thomas C. Whyte "Tom Whyte" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When The Bronx Burned (Paperback)

As a retired FDNY firefighter who worked in the Bronx during the period just after the one described in John's book, I think he did a great job. My generation of firefighters were lucky enough to have the ones from John's generation as our teachers, and he described them all perfectly. The story has a fast pace that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Although his story was written as a novel, you will come away with a clear vision of what happened in those dark days. John spares no one when he describes how evil landlords, arsonists and of course our own politicians systematically destroyed the South Bronx. Not to mention the countless lives that were lost and the thousands that were left homeless. This is a book for everyone, you don't have to be a firefighter to enjoy it. You will come away with a new respect for the men who worked in those firehouses during the 60's and 70's. His story would make a great movie!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book., November 10, 2007

By 

Patrick E. Mccarvill "NY-FF" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When The Bronx Burned (Paperback)

I'm not a big reader, but this book was recommended to me, so I bought it and I enjoyed it very much. I hated for it to end.
The book gives a realistic look at what life was like for South Bronx firemen during the 1970s. There was a lot of comradery among the men and a can-do attitude.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Lot to Offer a Reader, November 1, 2007

By 

B. T. Salmon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When The Bronx Burned (Paperback)

This book has a lot to offer any reader: exciting fire fighting scenes, the comeraderie of a group of fire fighters equivalent to any group activity you'll find, honest treatment of a smutty piece of New York City's history that has never been sufficiently aired, a look at evolving ethnic relations in the inner city and finally an unusual and compelling love story that is sensitively rendered. All of these elements are strung together in a story that unfolds naturally in episodes and scenes that capture the atmosphere of a busy New York City Fire Department fire house in the South Bronx during the 1960's and 1970's and the heroism of the fire fighters and the basic decency of the disadvantaged people they serve. You also get to meet the bad guys, arsonists and greedy landlords and politicians who profit from the fires. This is a good read especially for anyone who remembers New York in the 60's and 70's.