ePub Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon on 9/11 by Patrick Creed; Rick Newman in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very Important and Readable HistoryBy J. WalkerThis is a part of the 9/11 tragedy that most of us know very little about. In scope it was overshadowed by the events in New York. But in terms of it's near strategic impact the story is absolutely terrifying; even more than a decade later. Whether by design or shear luck the terrorist terrorist came perilously close to decapitating our military command structure. I think at the time most of us would have assumed it would take a nuclear missile to do that. Thinking back on what we lived through then; I think we are perhaps fortunate that our attention was focused on New York and not the Pentagon.That day; and the days immediately following were filled with chaos; confusion; misinformation; and misdirection. The authors do a very good job of taking you through that in a very readable way; without imposing logic or structure on a story that has none. The story is not spoiled because we already know the ending.The sense of disorientation I experienced as a reader would normally frustrate me. Where is this taking place in the building? Who is this character? How did he get here? Why is this happening? You still realize that is exactly the message the author wants you to get. You stop looking at the diagram of the building trying to figure out where the story is happening. It doesn't matter anymore; the walls are gone. And that is exactly what the firefighters; military personnel; and civilians were all experiencing that day.This is a story well worth reading for it is about a battle won not by heroes; or stars; or gallant leaders; but by an awful lot of people trying very; very hard to work together.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A book on the forgotten 9/11 attackBy Colin PoveyLet me start by admitting a little bias. The entire book is about the firefighters response to the attack on the Pentagon; located in Arlington; VA. I grew up in Arlington; and my Boy Scout troop met in the basement of Arlington Fire Station 9. I also worked as a contractor in the Pentagon for several months. However; I do not know the authors or any of the firemen mentioned in the story.That being said; this is a marvelous book. It is well researched and well written account of the job the fire fighters did in saving the Pentagon after the Islamic terrorists flew a Boeing 757 into the building. It tells of how difficult the fire was to put out; due to very unusual materials used in the building. It also explains why the Pentagon survived so much better than did the twin towers in New York. You also learn of the politics that the fire fighters and military got into of who was in control; and how the correct answer to that question was resolved; quickly and accurately. You also learn of the difficulties of fighting a fire in the largest office building in the world; one that was partially occupied during the entire fire fight-a unique problem for both the military and fire fighters.Written in a narrative style; in a chronological fashion; you feel like you are there during the fight to save the people and the building. You get to see the heroism of many of the people involved. And you get the answer to how do you fit a fire truck that is too tall into the central courtyard of the Pentagon.Highly recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting InsightBy Patricia M. BonnerInteresting insight into events at the Pentagon on and in the aftermath of 9/11. The book reveals that the Pentagon was in grave danger as a results of the attack; and first responders battled to save the most prominent symbol of our nation's military might.