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The Bravest: A Fireman's Tale
Fierce, gritty, and raw. The Bravest takes readers on a journey through an aspect of the human experience that very few will ever have the chance to witness.
The Bravest is a behind-the-scenes exposé and collection of short stories, chronicling the author’s 20-plus-year career as a big-city firefighter. The narrative arc spans the new recruit with high hopes and dreams, his conflicts with trauma and corruption, the redemption discovered after dealing with significant tragedy, and a line-of-duty disability that earns him a brief stint in the psych ward.
There seems to be this taboo that we can’t mess with the parade-waving, cat-stuck-in-a-tree rescuing, handlebar mustache wearing, machismo drenched image of a firefighter. This book breaks rank. Sitting atop the fence row that is the fire service, with one leg hanging over the side of acceptable public servitude, the other dangling precariously into conduct unbecoming, and the ridgeline fitting squarely up the author’s backside, it’s a wakeup call for those considering the profession.
It’s a microcosm of the US Fire Service as a whole and the wild and crazy emotional roller coaster first responders ride every time they put on the uniform. Between emergency calls, the book dives into subject matters like porn and sex, firehouse cuisine, murder, LGBTQ issues, racism, nepotism, police brutality, medicinal cannabis, suicide, mental health, and many more topics facing us all today.
Part thriller, horror, memoir, comedy, cookbook, historical, and how-to book; The Bravest smashes genre stereotypes, crosses traditional boundaries, and provides readers with an entertaining and captivating ride.
The Bravest is brash, real, and unapologetic. Maybe you’ll find that offensive, or maybe it’ll be refreshing. We’ll see.
Author Bio
Bradley Lilly is the debut author of The Bravest – A Fireman’s Tale. He’s served for over 20 years as a career Firefighter/EMT. He’s a husband, father, author, football coach, entrepreneur, public speaker and perpetual B.A.D. Original.
The Bravest is a behind-the-scenes exposé and collection of short stories, chronicling the author’s 20-plus-year career as a big-city firefighter. The narrative arc spans the new recruit with high hopes and dreams, his conflicts with trauma and corruption, the redemption discovered after dealing with significant tragedy, and a line-of-duty disability that earns him a brief stint in the psych ward.
There seems to be this taboo that we can’t mess with the parade-waving, cat-stuck-in-a-tree rescuing, handlebar mustache wearing, machismo drenched image of a firefighter. This book breaks rank. Sitting atop the fence row that is the fire service, with one leg hanging over the side of acceptable public servitude, the other dangling precariously into conduct unbecoming, and the ridgeline fitting squarely up the author’s backside, it’s a wakeup call for those considering the profession.
It’s a microcosm of the US Fire Service as a whole and the wild and crazy emotional roller coaster first responders ride every time they put on the uniform. Between emergency calls, the book dives into subject matters like porn and sex, firehouse cuisine, murder, LGBTQ issues, racism, nepotism, police brutality, medicinal cannabis, suicide, mental health, and many more topics facing us all today.
Part thriller, horror, memoir, comedy, cookbook, historical, and how-to book; The Bravest smashes genre stereotypes, crosses traditional boundaries, and provides readers with an entertaining and captivating ride.
The Bravest is brash, real, and unapologetic. Maybe you’ll find that offensive, or maybe it’ll be refreshing. We’ll see.
Author Bio
Bradley Lilly is the debut author of The Bravest – A Fireman’s Tale. He’s served for over 20 years as a career Firefighter/EMT. He’s a husband, father, author, football coach, entrepreneur, public speaker and perpetual B.A.D. Original.
507 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2022
7 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 14, 2023
The tales this author tells are are an embarrassment. His conduct on the job is appalling. A lousy read.
August 16, 2022
The Bravest: A Fireman’s Tale
Brad Lilly has given us a glimpse into a hero’s life. It’s raw, funny, sad, heartbreaking, hopeful and hopeless. A life of contradictions and dedication. Some stories kept me awake at night. Some thoughts made me think of the times I’ve called up their services. Others made me angry at the misogamy, the debauchery, the lost of values and life. War is alway harsh where ever it’s fought, in the battlefield or deep within the bowels of the beast. Yet, I’m so proud of Brad for sharing the reality of his life. Thanks so much for broadening my perspective.
Brad Lilly has given us a glimpse into a hero’s life. It’s raw, funny, sad, heartbreaking, hopeful and hopeless. A life of contradictions and dedication. Some stories kept me awake at night. Some thoughts made me think of the times I’ve called up their services. Others made me angry at the misogamy, the debauchery, the lost of values and life. War is alway harsh where ever it’s fought, in the battlefield or deep within the bowels of the beast. Yet, I’m so proud of Brad for sharing the reality of his life. Thanks so much for broadening my perspective.
June 30, 2023
This was a good book but read more like a diary than a story. Each paragraph was a separate, memorable event in this fireman's lifetime. There were some very interesting stories, and it was told from the author's perspective, but these are NOT the guys you see on Chicago Fire. These firemen had their share of issues, got in a fair amount of trouble and did things they probably aren't proud of, but the sense of pride they had in the jobs they do, was clear.
July 29, 2022
Amazing
I love this book shows about his life as a firefighter and what they do but it also drops a lot of personal stuff as well. I highly recommend everyone read it.
I love this book shows about his life as a firefighter and what they do but it also drops a lot of personal stuff as well. I highly recommend everyone read it.
September 6, 2024
I don’t know how he kept his job for 20 years. His actions in the department are disgusting. As a career firefighter, I find his actions to be reprehensible.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews