Bomb Squad: A Year Inside the Nation's Most Exclusive Police Unit

by Richard Esposito, Ted Gerstein

An unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the men who protect us from the most frightening prospect of life in the age of terrorism "In my mind it's all business; I dont worry about my family, I dont worry about a function that Im doing after work, I just worry about what's at hand. And what's at hand is that package." --Detective First Grade Joe Putkowski, NYPD Bomb Squad The New York City Police Department Bomb Squad is the oldest such squad in the nation, founded in 1903. Each year its thirty-three members make more than two hundred stress-filled "bomb runs," in which they check suspicious briefcases, defuse hand grenades, and even respond to "art" projects constructed with real explosives. The public rarely sees these men -- and when they do, it's usually from a distance, telephoto pictures of helmeted figures in ninety-pound suits of Kevlar armor. Starting on December 31, 2003, in the heart of the New Year's Eve action in Times Square, journalists Richard Esposito and Ted Gerstein had exclusive access to the nation's most elite police unit for an entire year. Their often chilling, never-before-told tales from the front line provide an extraordinary view of the domestic war on terrorism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, Politics

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2007

Reviews

[Stephen Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, I recommend BOMB SQUAD. The authors spent a year in the field with the NYPD BOMB SQUAD. The result is a narrative that strikes the right balance between history, human interest, and blowing stuff up. By the time I finished BOMB SQUAD, I understood what it means to be a disposaleer in the Big Apple. I am particularly impressed and amazed with the number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that New York's Finest face on a regular basis. This book is a must read for anyone interested in EOD, police work, and homeland security. Thank you, Messrs. Esposito and Gerstein.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget the post-9/11 terrorism scares. This book does a wonderful job discussing the long history of terrorism and those assigned the task of handling the situation. Essentially a ride-along with the NYC Bomb Squad, you learn the personalities and daily routine. But you also see terrorism set against a larger backdrop and learn how real and false security sometimes shift. Often, our sense of safety (or lack of it) is wrong.

[Sam Ramakrishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

SMALL SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!
The book, Bomb Squad by Richard Esposito and Ted Gerstein, is an in-depth account of their experiences with the New York Police Department Bomb Squad. This book has many great stories, from the intriguing mysteries to be solved, to the heart-wrenching deaths of innocent civilians and friends. It was not set up as an ordinary book, but more like a diary or memoir. As everyday happens, there is a new chapter. It is advertised as, “A Year Inside the Nation’s Most Exclusive Police Unit” and “Rich Esposito brings you inside the nerves-of-steel world of the NYPD’s Bomb Squad.” I believe the book perfectly captures this, and it clearly relays the message that these men and women are the toughest, most loyal, and selfless people out there. This book is rather serious but has its fair share of humor. For example, while eating at the Bomb Squad Headquarters, you see two men talking their usual gossip about their distaste towards firemen. One man says, “Why is it they act like they can cook?” To which another officer says “Maybe because they have nothing else to brag about since there are barely any fires?”(Esposito 71). This shows some of the humor and the lax behavior sported by these otherwise hardened, serious officers. I honestly thought it was a very well written book. It is written in such a way that it is very easy to relate to especially if you have an interest in the military and/or law enforcement as I do. There are many great stories about how officers had to work tirelessly to solve a case, and how they also solved cases easily. If I could change the book in any way, I would add some pictures to really put you in the moment, and I would also go a bit more in-depth on certain things, such as case solving and forensics. I would rate a solid 4/5 stars.

[Jordan Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the city that never sleeps, those charged with protecting its citizens, along with millions of visitors who flock to this American gem each year, spare no effort in keeping the peace. While most view public safety in the “Big Apple” as a mounted policeman on horseback or a modified police dodge charger parked on the curb, there’s an elite unit of valiant detectives who shoulder the burden of ensuring that no one falls victim to the most feared weapon of terror: the improvised explosive device. That’s the mission spear-headed by the thirty-two members of the NYPD Bomb Squad, one of the oldest, largest and one of the busiest police bomb squads in the U.S. Tasked with responding to a myriad of harrowing situations where the difference between initial success or total failure is measured in lives saved or lives lost to the coward’s weapon of choice.

Get an unprecedented in-depth look inside this renowned unit as journalists Richard Esposito and Ted Gerstein ride along with New York’s Finest for one year shadowing them on calls, observing training sessions, preparing for large scale public events such as the Republican and Democrat National Conventions, Fleet Week, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, protecting the UN Assembly and finally the crucible of the ride along, New Year’s Eve. This book also goes into great detail about the Squad’s history: from their humble origins of confronting the Italian Mafia in the early 20th Century, battling a lone wolf planting explosives around the city, to losing one of their own in the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001. This crack team of unsung heroes stands ready for any challenge.

[Tom Hooker · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first three chapters depit the beginning of the new year (2004) with the Times Square new year's eve gala, which included, for the bomb squad, a couple of false alarms. That was good for the bomb squad, but not so good for the reader. A better opening would have started with chapter 4, where on New Year's Eve of 1982, I believe, a couple of the bomb squad members attempted unsuccessfully, to defuse a bomb. It is unfortunate, but true,there must be some drama (and often, trauma) in a book, especially in its opening. The book followed the bomb squad through a calendar year, tagging events that happened in prior years to the date in the year being depicted. I know the work of the bomb squad is critical and deserves recognition and prise, I just don't think this book did them justice.

[Raymond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I resisted tossing the book after just reading the first sentence. I’m reasonably glad I did. Even if you can pick up the book two weeks after your last putting it down and not feel like you need to review anything important, it’s a fair and readable tribute to Bomb Squad units and their personnel.

The material is divided into books and then sub-divided into chapters, which I think an ingenuous fraud and thus forgivable. It was only after I read the cover blurb by Ted Koppel that I realized the why of this particular affectation. Both authors have, as their base, television news.

All in all, Bomb Squad was not what I expected, but it’s a fair bed time read.

[Gregory Delaurentis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat superficial overview of the New York City Bomb Squad with some members not even giving their full names. I can agree with the writer's needing keep secrets about the squad, but they should have realized that there would not be enough material to make for a truly satisfying read. Further, it seems too much like a primer to the attack on the World Trade Center at 9/11 and its effect on the men of the squad. It was like eating a meal while inhaling too much air.

[Christine Kayser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating, real-life account of an NYPD bomb squad unit. The writers spent time entrenched in the unit - going on calls, going to training seminars, etc. - and documented the whole thing.

The parts about September 11th were incredibly difficult to read, but I enjoyed the book overall. It reminded me of the TV show Flashpoint.

[Terrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting subject, terrible writing. The book was also very disjointed, had way too much non-relevant material. From a team of reporters that supposedly spent a year behind the scenes with the NYPD bomb squad, we learn very few details about them.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay. randomness. but actually really fascinating. two journalists embedded with the new york bomb squad for a year. a really unbiased look at things.
i do love randomess.

[Comman778 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and history of NYPD bomb squad

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compilation of bomb squad events

Well written and a lot of historical data. I would recommend to whoever wants an inside look into the world of bombs.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter, well written in places, but this had the feel of several articles pasted together rather than a cohesive book. Needed editing.

[Jason Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look into the daily operation and history of the NYPD Bomb Squad that left me with a newfound appreciation and respect for what these operators do.

[Kurt Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, very emotional when discussing 9/11

[Tony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nor very compelling, not much substantive detail. The appended chronologies are better than the book. There have been a lot of bombs.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing - if you want to know what it's like to be on the NYC bomb squad. I loved the detail and emotion.

[Robert A · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story jumps around a lot. Plus there are no really good stories. Fairly boring.

[Curtis K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, if you think you have any idea who (or what) a "Bomb Technician" is, from television, novels, or the movies...

...you need to read this book to get the real truth!

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 2 out of 5]

This caught my eye in the new books section, I think. Or maybe I saw it in a bookstore first. At this point I don't really remember. It's a profile of the NYPD bomb squad.

It was a decent informative read. However, there was a big problem with over-valorizing the bomb squad guys ... though IIRC the author restrained himself and only went into one or two anti-liberal diatribes. ;) Two stars/five for excessive authorial viewpoint.

[Tc · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating

[Daniel Polansky]

An interesting subject but the writing is shlocky as hell and its badly structured.