Working with Giants

By John Norman, Chief of Special Operations (Ret.), FDNY

John Norman, author of the best-selling Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics and Fire Department Special Operations, brings his own remarkable story to life in this new highly anticipated memoir. Chief Norman is donating a portion of the royalties from this book to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. To make a donation, visit Tunnel to Towers.

But this is a story about all firefighters—the men and women who are absolutely the salt of the earth, whose sole mission is to protect the lives and property of their neighbors.

This book celebrates the lives of firefighters—a truly special group of people—and reintroduces them to the American public.

What is a hero?

A hero is a role model. To be a hero means protecting others at great personal risk because it’s the right thing to do. “Since September 11, 2001,” Norman writes, “people have been speaking about firefighters as ‘America’s Heroes.’ I truly believe they are heroes in the classical sense of the word.”

Renowned for combining compelling storytelling with industry-standard tactical training, Norman offers an unparalleled look into the modern history of America’s fire service from a front-row seat. This is a celebration of the best in public service, its sacrifices and triumphs, and the people who were there, who will insist with uncommon humility, “I was just doing my job.”

"This book keeps the reader engaged from cover to cover. The writing style and credibility of John Norman stands alone in the American fire service. Norman goes into a unique eyewitness account of 9/11 that opens up a whole new perspective on that disaster. Although this book is not promoted as an educational book, Norman wisely incorporates succinct reasons in his scenarios that describe why FDNY does what they do. Details from his personal involvement and perspective shed light on the dangers and potential rewards of fire operations. The fire scenarios described are not cumbersome, but they are addictive and not repetitive. The most interesting and engaging book I have ever read about the fire service...a real page-turner, priceless. John Norman is likely the only person in the American fire service with humble beginnings who ultimately led a career that is unmatched by few—if any."

—John Mittendorf, Battalion Chief (Ret.), Los Angeles City (CA) Fire Dept

Table of Contents:

• September 11th

• Vacants

• Being “Broken In”

• The Death of a Building (and a Neighborhood)

• Father’s Day on the Pier

• Harlem, USA

• The Major Deegan Expressway

• Railroad Pizza

• I’ll Make You a Detective!

• The Southside

• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

• Flight 5050

• Some Really Important Steps

• The Winter Offensive

• My Turn to Be Schooled

• The What If’s?

• Kingston Is Not Just in the Caribbean

• The Troy Avenue Boys

• The Soundest Sleeper You Ever Met!

• The Thirsty Corrections Officer

• Sometimes, I’d Rather Be Lucky Than Good

• Only the Lucky Ones Get to Retire!

• An Unusual Smile

• “Precious”

• Planes… Something That Big Isn’t Supposed to Move, Let Alone Fly!

• When You’ve Got a Great Act, Take It to Broadway!

• 30 Rock

• Call the Veterinarians

• Popes, Presidents, and Other Assorted Dignitaries

• V.I.B.s—Very Important Buildings

• Harlem II

• The World Trade Center

• The Rebirth