Firefight

May 26, 2008
Creed, a U.S. Army officer and volunteer firefighter, and U.S. News and World Report staff writer Newman (Bury Us Upside Down) interviewed thousands of people who were involved after terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:38 the morning of 9/11, while personnel were grouped around TV sets watching the Twin Towers attack in New York. Within two minutes, fire crews from Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria and Washington, D.C. converged on the site, joining military and civilian personnel working to rescue those trapped in the building-Surgeon General P.K. Carlton working to help the injured, Navy SEALS stationed to catch people jumping from windows. But it was the firemen who took the lead in the search and rescue effort, fire control and helping to secure classified material in structurally compromised areas. Creed and Newman provide a minute-by-minute account of operations during the first two days, carrying the story through 9/21 when, with the situation under control, the FBI took charge of the crime scene. This gripping account of national tragedy and personal heroism gives readers a you-are-there look at the disaster that claimed 189, and a real appreciation for the work that kept it from claiming more.

April 15, 2008
Creed, a U.S. Army officer and volunteer firefighter, and Newman ("U.S. News & World Report"; "Bury Us Upside Down") interviewed over 100 people who endured the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and its aftermath. Their book describes the epic struggle of firefighters, police, first responders, and others from the time of the attack through the completion of rescue and recovery operations ten days later, when the matter was turned over to the FBI. About 90 people are listed at the front of the book as "recurring characters," and their heroic efforts are detailed in firsthand accounts that, in a concise, readable manner, show just how difficult it was to operate effectively in the midst of one of the largest structure fires in U.S. history. The task simply of coordinating government, fire, and rescue agencies in battling the inferno and rescuing victims and then of conducting forensic and related crime-scene investigations was monumental. The authors also discuss how the Pentagon maintained its command infrastructure despite the attack and how victims, rescuers, and their families were affected. It is the personal stories, told moment by moment, that should keep readers interested and inspired. This gripping, often harrowing story of courage, conviction, and survival is recommended for all collections, although those looking for a more comprehensive account should also consider "Pentagon 9/11" from the Department of Defense Historical Office.David Alperstein, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NY

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2008
Adult/High School-A well-paced, well-written account of a successful battle. It was fought by numerous civilian firefighting companies from the Washington, DC, area, especially those from Arlington County, where the Pentagon sits. The response by firefighters from the Virginia and Maryland suburbs, the District, and also from nearby Reagan National Airport was admirably rapid and the dangers to them were immense; the relatively small loss of life in the Pentagon is a tribute to their courage and skills. Hundreds of workerscivilian and militaryrisked their lives and certainly harmed themselves by breathing toxic fumes laced with petroleum and building dust to save coworkers, and readers will learn of the many people deserving recognition. What many who are familiar with the 9/11 attacks do not know is that those gathered to save the Pentagon, normally occupied by 25,000 people, were warned that another commercial airliner was potentially inbound, perhaps to finish the job. This saga is much less well known than the story of the New York City Fire Department responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Teens will be enlightened and inspired by this valuable book."Alan Gropman, National Defense University, Washington, DC"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.