The Final Fire

by Dennis Smith

New York:: Saturday Review Press - Dutton,, 1975.. Fine in near fine dust jacket (some rubbing to the dj.). Book of the Month Club edition (same size and quality as trade edition). First novel, and 2nd book, by this New York City fireman.

Genres: Fiction

277 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

During his 18 years as a New York City firefighter, Dennis Smith developed a profound respect for the professionalism of the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and nurses with whom he worked in the more than 40 alarms his engine company responded to every day. He witnessed their willingness to give of themselves in the course of their duty. His experiences in the fire service have been immortalized in his books, most notably "Report from Engine Co. 82," which became an immediate New York Times bestseller, sold 3 million copies, and was translated into 13 languages.

In 2001, Dennis responded to the attack on the World Trade Center, arriving there just as the second building fell. He stayed for 57 consecutive days, first in rescue work and then in recovery. The following year, he wrote “Report from Ground Zero,” which also rose to the top of the bestseller lists.

Dennis has spent half of his life in the emergency service and the other half writing books. His experience and reputation make him powerfully and uniquely able to represent the interests and needs of emergency professionals and departments. His career as firefighter, best-selling author, magazine publisher, business leader, and director of important youth service and emergency-service not-for-profit organizations provides him with a sound point of view about what is needed to make the world better and more connected.

Dennis Smith most recently founded an international social media website: www.wavepeg.com.

Reviews

[Scott L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dennis Smith should stick to non-fiction.

[Anthony Bracciante · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel and second book that Fireman Dennis Smith, the author of Report From Engine Co. 82, wrote. It revolves around 2 brothers, who grew up in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, that both became Firefighters in the FDNY. They are the youngest of four sons of a poor Irish family that suffered the deaths of the two oldest boys as young adults. The brothers, Tom and Jerry Ritter, have to deal with a potential strike and wind up on the wrong sides of the picket line. It is a gripping story that has tragic consequences including the loss of General Washington crossing the Delaware.

[Lloyd Kerns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple prose, riveting storytelling—the Dennis Smith special. As a firefighter, I enjoyed the elements of which others expecting another Report From Engine Co. 82 complained, that is the political aspect of the job. And even if that’s not your thing, there’s an abundance of fire and rescues and the climatic “final fire.”

[Dave Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and it can make you think what would happen if a strike of the firefighters in any major city happened today.

[Lisa James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast moving book about firemen, a strike, & the destruction in NYC that it caused.... the Ritter family is the tragic one in this book, with only one brother left standing at the end.....