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Jakes
All Boston fire fighters are called Jakes. When I was appointed to the department over forty years ago, I asked my peers how the nickname originated. The most common reply was "I dunno." Throughout my career I would occasionally pursue the answer without success. These ineffective research attempts terminated at my retirement testimonial when I asked a retired deputy fire chief, long noted for his historical knowledge of the department, and his thoughtful reply was, "Who cares?" I do. So, this book is named and dedicated to all Boston Jakes, past, present and future. May they be ever thus. Leo D. Stapleton South Boston, MA May, 1994 JAKES is packed with incredible fire incidents. It tells the stories of some of the most dedicated, most courageous and, of course, most outrageously funny fire fighters the city of Boston has ever known. Leo Stapleton's writing has never been stronger or more fluid; his characters have never been more vivid and true. JAKES is Stapleton at his absolute best!
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 1, 2022
Though he trys to camoflauge his exploits behind " Billy Simpson" Da Commish's unique voice shines through.
This book would be right at home with any of the readers familiar with the Boston Fire Department or his other seminal work, 30 Years on the Line. And some of the events seem lifted directly from 30 Years on the Line. When they stick out, they stick out.
What is astounding however is how well Staple....er... 'Simpson' captures the rhythm and cadence of a day to day fire house. Told in anecdotes and remembered asides, there is ball busting galore. Rank doesn't protect you as deputy chiefs raze with the best of them. Additonaly what he captures is a simple, uncomplicated love for the city in which he serves. Yes, it's cold, brittle and harsh. Yes, the city does its best to kill you. Yes, fires can be deadly. But the love of this guy has for where he works is palapble.
The respect he has for the guys- the malcontents, the jokesters, the ladder and hose men is extremly clear.
He neatly sidesteps some thorny issues without getting into the weeds. A few objections are raised, almost as aside, but then glossed over. Additionally there is the thinnest of thin plots that if you weren't distracted by the actions, you would be annoyed at the quick resolution.
If you don't like firefighting or want a sanitized version of life, don't read this book. He pulls no punches and plays no favorites. A " good job" can be uttered in the same sentence of " whydja let the building burn ya *unprintable*"
This book would be right at home with any of the readers familiar with the Boston Fire Department or his other seminal work, 30 Years on the Line. And some of the events seem lifted directly from 30 Years on the Line. When they stick out, they stick out.
What is astounding however is how well Staple....er... 'Simpson' captures the rhythm and cadence of a day to day fire house. Told in anecdotes and remembered asides, there is ball busting galore. Rank doesn't protect you as deputy chiefs raze with the best of them. Additonaly what he captures is a simple, uncomplicated love for the city in which he serves. Yes, it's cold, brittle and harsh. Yes, the city does its best to kill you. Yes, fires can be deadly. But the love of this guy has for where he works is palapble.
The respect he has for the guys- the malcontents, the jokesters, the ladder and hose men is extremly clear.
He neatly sidesteps some thorny issues without getting into the weeds. A few objections are raised, almost as aside, but then glossed over. Additionally there is the thinnest of thin plots that if you weren't distracted by the actions, you would be annoyed at the quick resolution.
If you don't like firefighting or want a sanitized version of life, don't read this book. He pulls no punches and plays no favorites. A " good job" can be uttered in the same sentence of " whydja let the building burn ya *unprintable*"
July 13, 2020
Another excellent book in this series. Really enjoy these books. I lived in Boston for the first 19 years of my life and used to hang around the fire station in Roxbury in my pre-teen years and up to I was about 14. I can really related to all the places talked about in the stories. Great memories. I look forward to reading every book in this series.
December 28, 2018
Tough to get into
It was interesting. But I had a difficult job getting involved in this book. It was kind of mono toned through the whole book.
It was interesting. But I had a difficult job getting involved in this book. It was kind of mono toned through the whole book.
January 29, 2016
Outstanding
Being a former fire fighter this brings back some memories. It's very real language and all. Agreement and disagreements taking chances
Being a former fire fighter this brings back some memories. It's very real language and all. Agreement and disagreements taking chances
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews