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Finding John
September 11, 2001 was one of the darkest days in American history. Finding John is an eyewitness account of the devastation caused by the World Trade Center collapse and the rescue efforts of the first 24 hours. In the days, weeks, and months following, as people all across the New York area grieved their losses and struggled with how to move forward, life for firefighters became a whirlwind of searching for human remains, staffing firehouses, caring for the families of the fallen, and attending hundreds of funerals—all performed in the spotlight of new-found national media attention. There would be countless stories about firefighters written in the aftermath of September 11, both positive and negative. In March of 2002, Firefighter Andrew Serra and a team of rescue workers uncovered the remains of a fallen firefighter. Later that year, a story would be published which accused that deceased fireman of a terrible breach of duty and honor. Like all firefighters, Andrew Serra passed the months and years after 9/11 putting the pieces of the Fire Department—and life in general—back together again. He would spend many more years, however, searching for the truth. Part memoir, part investigative history, Finding John is the poignant, emotional story of a firefighter’s life in the months and years after September 11.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2018
61 people are currently reading
950 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Serra
8 books42 followersAndrew Serra is the author of several books, including The Dead Florentines, La Petite Parisienne, and Zuccotti Park. In 2018, he published Finding John, a memoir of his experience as a firefighter responding to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He has been featured on FOX-5 NY Good Day Wake Up, NY1 News Around the Boroughs, and Z100 Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 2, 2019
I am impressed with the way this book is written. It is articulate and easy to follow and gets straight to the point. Serra does not dress anything up or dance around any issues, confronting them head on. It was a pleasure to read and I found it frustrating to have to put it down between sessions.
He set out to achieve his objective of clearing the names of the men of FDNY Ladder 4. He does this beautifully. As a firefighter myself I didn’t need any convincing, but found his words compelling. I was moved by his passion and determination to give his fellow firefighters the rightful recognition they deserved, and shared his anger towards the disgraceful and unfounded accusations against men who died selflessly while helping others. Serra’s honesty, and the objectivity he displays throughout the book are refreshing. It is works like this that will allow future generations to realise and remember what really happened during 9/11 and the days, weeks, and months that followed.
He set out to achieve his objective of clearing the names of the men of FDNY Ladder 4. He does this beautifully. As a firefighter myself I didn’t need any convincing, but found his words compelling. I was moved by his passion and determination to give his fellow firefighters the rightful recognition they deserved, and shared his anger towards the disgraceful and unfounded accusations against men who died selflessly while helping others. Serra’s honesty, and the objectivity he displays throughout the book are refreshing. It is works like this that will allow future generations to realise and remember what really happened during 9/11 and the days, weeks, and months that followed.
March 3, 2019
Finding John is a raw and emotional account of the 9/11 tragedy through the eyes of a young firefighter. Part memoir and part historical document; the author generously allows the reader to experience the day of and years following 9/11 through his lens. This book represents a journey of healing that draws you in from the very first page to the beautifully executed ending.
December 12, 2018
Finding John by Andrew Serra was heartbreaking, terrifying, and a great piece of investigative reporting. Serra was a member of the New York Fire Department's Red Hook Engine 279 and Ladder 131. My brother who is retired from the FDNY also served in that house on 9/11. He felt the book was important enough to send copies to all his siblings (and there are a lot of us).
Serra tells the story of his experience at Ground Zero, not only on 9/11 but also in the months that followed. Most people are aware of the events surrounding the fall of the Twin Towers but few have heard the story of the months of work on the Pile. Every day for many, many months after firefighters were detailed to work on the Pile. Many also worked it on their time off. Serra describes finding a fellow fight fighter, John Tipping II, in the debris. Tipping was a member of Engine 54 and Ladder 4.
When the towers collapsed, so did much of the structure around them. Ladder 4 was parked next to one of the buildings. As the buildings collapsed so did the sidewalks around them talking Ladder 4 with them. Ladder 4 come to rest, mostly intact, several levels down on the shopping mezzanine. A prominent writer who spent the year following the attacks with the engineers and construction crews made the claim that looting had occurred by firefighters before they went in to save those they could. He based this claim on someone telling him that pairs of new jeans had been found in Ladder 4. Every single member of Ladder 4 died on 9/11 and now their names were being tarnished by hearsay.
Serra does a fantastic job of investigative journalism. He proves with eyewitness testimony plus the help of Charles Pelligrino, a scientific writer that the members of Ladder 4 went directly to their deaths that day. They did not stop for anything, even the realization that they probably would not survive. This book is a must read. Not only for the investigative journalism but also for the eyewitness view of the aftermath of 9/11. Serra shares his experiences working the pile, attending many of the 343 funerals, watching FDNY's members contract the illness from working the pile. I highly recommend Finding John. I would suggest to Serra that he and his publisher look into having an audiobook made. With a good narrator, Finding John can find a whole new audience.
Serra tells the story of his experience at Ground Zero, not only on 9/11 but also in the months that followed. Most people are aware of the events surrounding the fall of the Twin Towers but few have heard the story of the months of work on the Pile. Every day for many, many months after firefighters were detailed to work on the Pile. Many also worked it on their time off. Serra describes finding a fellow fight fighter, John Tipping II, in the debris. Tipping was a member of Engine 54 and Ladder 4.
When the towers collapsed, so did much of the structure around them. Ladder 4 was parked next to one of the buildings. As the buildings collapsed so did the sidewalks around them talking Ladder 4 with them. Ladder 4 come to rest, mostly intact, several levels down on the shopping mezzanine. A prominent writer who spent the year following the attacks with the engineers and construction crews made the claim that looting had occurred by firefighters before they went in to save those they could. He based this claim on someone telling him that pairs of new jeans had been found in Ladder 4. Every single member of Ladder 4 died on 9/11 and now their names were being tarnished by hearsay.
Serra does a fantastic job of investigative journalism. He proves with eyewitness testimony plus the help of Charles Pelligrino, a scientific writer that the members of Ladder 4 went directly to their deaths that day. They did not stop for anything, even the realization that they probably would not survive. This book is a must read. Not only for the investigative journalism but also for the eyewitness view of the aftermath of 9/11. Serra shares his experiences working the pile, attending many of the 343 funerals, watching FDNY's members contract the illness from working the pile. I highly recommend Finding John. I would suggest to Serra that he and his publisher look into having an audiobook made. With a good narrator, Finding John can find a whole new audience.
April 17, 2025
Firefighter’s account of 911
This story is told from a firefighter’s perspective, reflecting on the experiences during the 9/11 attack. Before reading this book, I was unaware of the controversy surrounding a journalist's claim that firefighters from Ladder 4 were looting a Gap store on the day of the attacks. It later came to light that the accusation came from construction workers without any evidence. The author aimed to clear Ladder 4's name from these allegations through this book. The author was troubled by the journalist's lack of research and the publication of unapologetic articles laden with accusations. They undertook thorough research and provided extensive citations for their evidence.
The Fire Department has a century-old tradition of firefighters carrying their own, which created tension between the chief engineers, construction managers, and firefighters. While the firefighters were focused on honoring their fallen colleagues by searching for them, the engineers and construction workers were more concerned with cleaning up the area and completing the job quickly. This caused a rift between the two groups, as some felt that firefighters prioritized their own members over others, since many firefighters' bodies were found during search and rescue operations compared to other individuals.
During this time, it is easy to forget that mobile phones were not as common as they are today. Many people waited for hours or even days to learn if their loved ones were alive.
It was heartwarming to witness fire stations from across the country coming together in Manhattan to support one another. There was a strong sense of camaraderie as they focused on protecting the families of fellow firefighters who had lost their lives in the tragedy, even while their own family lives were affected.
I appreciate that the fire department regularly sent therapists to all the stations, promoting mental health rather than a "macho" attitude.
Many people lost their loved ones, and countless lives were impacted in the wake of that horrific incident. Many survivors contracted lifelong diseases, and some are still suffering after more than two decades. However, politicians and the media ensured that no one would forget what happened that day. This constant reminder often felt cruel and insensitive to those who were doing their best to move on.
This story is told from a firefighter’s perspective, reflecting on the experiences during the 9/11 attack. Before reading this book, I was unaware of the controversy surrounding a journalist's claim that firefighters from Ladder 4 were looting a Gap store on the day of the attacks. It later came to light that the accusation came from construction workers without any evidence. The author aimed to clear Ladder 4's name from these allegations through this book. The author was troubled by the journalist's lack of research and the publication of unapologetic articles laden with accusations. They undertook thorough research and provided extensive citations for their evidence.
The Fire Department has a century-old tradition of firefighters carrying their own, which created tension between the chief engineers, construction managers, and firefighters. While the firefighters were focused on honoring their fallen colleagues by searching for them, the engineers and construction workers were more concerned with cleaning up the area and completing the job quickly. This caused a rift between the two groups, as some felt that firefighters prioritized their own members over others, since many firefighters' bodies were found during search and rescue operations compared to other individuals.
During this time, it is easy to forget that mobile phones were not as common as they are today. Many people waited for hours or even days to learn if their loved ones were alive.
It was heartwarming to witness fire stations from across the country coming together in Manhattan to support one another. There was a strong sense of camaraderie as they focused on protecting the families of fellow firefighters who had lost their lives in the tragedy, even while their own family lives were affected.
I appreciate that the fire department regularly sent therapists to all the stations, promoting mental health rather than a "macho" attitude.
Many people lost their loved ones, and countless lives were impacted in the wake of that horrific incident. Many survivors contracted lifelong diseases, and some are still suffering after more than two decades. However, politicians and the media ensured that no one would forget what happened that day. This constant reminder often felt cruel and insensitive to those who were doing their best to move on.
February 6, 2025
Serra may have started off this book with the intention of disproving the accusations of one author in particular, who called out a group of firemen (deceased), accusing them of looting during their rescue attempts on 9/11, based on hearsay and misperception. What he does is far more than that. He manages to tell his first-hand account, not only of one of the worst days in history, but also the aftermath. He names firemen who perished, one by one, like the tolling of a bell, and humanizes them by describing their age, marital status, and if and how many kids they had.
Serra's description of the endless funerals, and rows upon rows of firemen attending each and every one to pay their respects, brought me to tears. His astonishment when there were firemen, policemen, EMTs, and civilians applauding as he, along with other firemen, brought a fallen colleague, alive, to the surface of ground zero after hours of trying to free him from an underground trap. And when their numbers depleted from the sheer number of firemen in the field, firemen arrived from other states to pitch in to support families in the aftermath.
This book was a work of passion, honed over years, and still managed to be professional in tone, accessible to the lay person, and meticulously researched. I have a new-found respect for firemen, and for the intense coordination, emotional stamina, perseverance, and dedication of everyone who worked to help the nation recover from that awful day.
Thank you Andrew, for telling your story.
Serra's description of the endless funerals, and rows upon rows of firemen attending each and every one to pay their respects, brought me to tears. His astonishment when there were firemen, policemen, EMTs, and civilians applauding as he, along with other firemen, brought a fallen colleague, alive, to the surface of ground zero after hours of trying to free him from an underground trap. And when their numbers depleted from the sheer number of firemen in the field, firemen arrived from other states to pitch in to support families in the aftermath.
This book was a work of passion, honed over years, and still managed to be professional in tone, accessible to the lay person, and meticulously researched. I have a new-found respect for firemen, and for the intense coordination, emotional stamina, perseverance, and dedication of everyone who worked to help the nation recover from that awful day.
Thank you Andrew, for telling your story.
October 2, 2021
I’d never heard of this alleged incident which I guess is a really good thing. What the author has done is exactly what he set out to do, completely disprove the entire wretched accusation and explain in detail what the team of ladder 4 actually accomplished in their brief time on scene at the south tower.
I have heard of one of these truck guys from Dennis smiths book and given his exemplary family (John Angelini, Jr and also his father John Sr. Both lost on 9/11) there is no way in hell I would believe anything sinister about him.
It’s really sad what that longewich guy did. He’s a disgusting human being, making up lies to sell his book. All I could think about was how terrible that crap was to hear by the families and fellow firemen. I hope anyone who believes that guy as well as him rot in hell.
I have heard of one of these truck guys from Dennis smiths book and given his exemplary family (John Angelini, Jr and also his father John Sr. Both lost on 9/11) there is no way in hell I would believe anything sinister about him.
It’s really sad what that longewich guy did. He’s a disgusting human being, making up lies to sell his book. All I could think about was how terrible that crap was to hear by the families and fellow firemen. I hope anyone who believes that guy as well as him rot in hell.
March 22, 2025
Boring
I was excited when I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I wanted to hear a first-person account of that day. I will always remember 9/11 well, coming home from work and watching the news as they played over and over the film of the WTC falling. I could not imagine the people who were deceased and their loved ones who waited at home for the call they would never get saying "I'm ok". I was in shock even though I didn't know anyone in the buildings or on the planes. I wanted to read this book but I didn't make it far into the book before I realized this was not the WTC 9/11 book I was looking for....too many " I did this" and "I was a hero in that". I know its a autobiography but geez!!!! #GoodreadsWin
I was excited when I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I wanted to hear a first-person account of that day. I will always remember 9/11 well, coming home from work and watching the news as they played over and over the film of the WTC falling. I could not imagine the people who were deceased and their loved ones who waited at home for the call they would never get saying "I'm ok". I was in shock even though I didn't know anyone in the buildings or on the planes. I wanted to read this book but I didn't make it far into the book before I realized this was not the WTC 9/11 book I was looking for....too many " I did this" and "I was a hero in that". I know its a autobiography but geez!!!! #GoodreadsWin
September 23, 2021
Finding John
This book is very well written, it no way not brings to the reader "how it was" there, I learned what a wonderful group that all fire houses have, they become family to each other and what efforts that all go thru. Great book, I would recommend reading 102 minutes along with book! Thank you. Never Forget!!!!!!!
This book is very well written, it no way not brings to the reader "how it was" there, I learned what a wonderful group that all fire houses have, they become family to each other and what efforts that all go thru. Great book, I would recommend reading 102 minutes along with book! Thank you. Never Forget!!!!!!!
March 25, 2021
A great, true story of 9/11. Serra gets you on the pile with him and your hands into the dust.
November 25, 2025
Very interesting book. I certainly learned aspects of the 9/11 event of which I was unaware. It lended to my already great mistrust and contempt for reporting that is so misleading and damaging.
March 25, 2025
Emotional
A great insight of an up close view point. At time hard to get through. A look behind the scenes of what we couldn't see going on. 9-11 was a hard time for our country but so much harder for those who were there.
A great insight of an up close view point. At time hard to get through. A look behind the scenes of what we couldn't see going on. 9-11 was a hard time for our country but so much harder for those who were there.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews