Number one fact: Picciotto probably sensed the opportunity to make a few extra bucks from his ordeal in September 11, and seized the opportunity.

Number two fact: It's strange to NOT like a book about September 1, but I did not like this book at all. Not because of the selfish and auto-congrulatory mode, but due to the literally (or lack of) characteristcis of the book. I think it's badly written, even with Mr. Paisner at the helm.

As for Picciotto actions those days, only people under that kind of stresssful situation could know how they would have acted... Generally, I think he did the best he could for his city and for his companions and for the civilians he encountered.

For all his detractors, I put the question: if he had died along with the shocking number of victims, even with all his "faults" he would have benn considered a hero, ego or no ego involved. Am I right?

I had wanted to read this book for a while, so I purchased it. Richard Picciotto is not the best writer, but he does give you a sense of what it was like to be under pressure and trying to survive the tower collapse. He doesn't pull punches as to who he blames for the loss of firefighters that day. Lack of adequate equipment, department cuts, etc. I think to a certain extent he has a valid point, but I also know that there were many other factors involved as well. Mr. Picciotto's focus is understandably on his personal experience and his emotions around what happened that day. I am glad that I read it, but I have to be honest and say it is what it is. Mr. Picciotto will probably not win a Pulitzer, but he calls it as he sees it and he was there and I wasn't.

I just recently read the paperback version of this book. The first half of this book is pretty interesting and heart pounding in detailing what it was like to be in the World Trade Center while it collapsed. The second half was very disatisfying. It was very self-serving and is mostly about Mr. Picciotto praising himself and his actions and criticizing absolutely everyone else. I also find it interesting that Mr. Picciotto said how hard it was for him to return to the site and that it took him a very long time do this. However, in the acknowledgment at the end of the book, he returns barely a few weeks after the collapse and with his collaborator of this book. He had already found the time to get a book deal and co-author!

As a firfigther who understands chain of command and the need to work with in an Incident Command System, this book perfectly explains how one FDNY Battalion Chief breaks all the rules, chosing to respond to the World Trade Center Disaster rather than remain responsible for his own Battalion, risks the lives of members of 110Truck to "sprint" to the 35th floor of the North Tower, ABANDONING them on the way to freelance some more in the burning tower, only to ultimately become stuck in the collapse of the North Tower where he goes on to shout at and berade a PAPD Officer who's lost his partner, a K9, to the collapse of the bulidng. This book is a shameful and embarrasing for all American firefighters, those silent heros who risk their lives daily.

I have had this book for a few years but have not been able to read it till recently.The story is quite interesting and astonishing (especially as it is a true story) but the writing is somewhat repetetive - I think this is done to make the story longer - and the Firefighter seems to be too full of himself always going on how great he is and how well he did what a good leader he is ...... and so on.Entertaining and interesting but the way the story is written spoils it.

I am a full time firefighter/engineer in a small town with three stations. This book does a great job of telling the inside story of what happened to our country on 9-11 and also an insight to the world of firefighters, for those with no prior knowledge. My only real frustration in reading this book, is that some of the detail on this thought, or that thought, becomes a little mundane. In one passage, he dwells for a long paragraph, on a sliver of illumination from an emergency light, that some how ended up sharing the void. All in all, it is a great book, but the same story could have been told with out the hovering over so many tiny details. But then you'd have a book only three quarters the length.

I am a little surprised by the negative reviews of this book--perhaps some reviewers don't personally know any firefighters--and that is the point of this book: an inside look at how one firefighter(albeit a chief) experienced and survived the attack and collapse of the World Trade Center.

As a BC, Picciotto, had a company of men under his command who were looking to him for direction and literally commands. Firefighting is a military-style profession where you take orders and do what you're told by superiors. Firefighters are full of "bravado" at what ever level--it comes with the territory. Work hard, play hard, brag hard...that's real stuff.

The best part about this book is the "voice" of Picciotto coming through the writing. His description of the sound of the collapsing tower mixed with his feelings of the certainty of death were very well written. His last thoughts were on his family--that is a part of the job most don't want to talk about. You gain a sense of the confusion, the disbelief, and the frustrations present that day in NYC on 9/11. You are inside his head and thoughts the entire time--it is an excellent book to gain a different/purposefully personal perspective on what that day was like. It is clear this book is about one man's experience, not an entire city or department's experience. I am certain that all New Yorkers and firefighters have their own stories of bravery and despair and hope. Talk to one...they are extraordinary people.

This is a first person account of a firefighter who was in Tower One of the World Trade Center when it collapsed on September 11, 2001. It's an interesting perspective of that day, as well as being an interesting look into the mind of a firefighter.

The writing style was interesting. You could hear the voice of Richard Picciotto really well and the pacing was good. Although the forced repeating of some points (how the top brass keep cutting the budget, how in shape Picciotto is) got to be a bit much. You definately had a good idea of the main themes Picciotto was trying to get across by the end.

I think I would've liked to have seen a bit more of after that day as well, but I suppose that goes into the realm of too personal.

I feel the same way as the other reviewers who felt that Richard pounded on his chest a little too often. I could have done with a little less of the "I walk a stair master every day and I am in fantastic shape" bragging. We got the point the first time he wrote it. But having said that, this guy and the other survivors went through hell and deserve to write their experiences how they see fit. Bravo to their heroics and determination to live through something that horrific.

I agree with some of the more negative views. I liked how this book showed first-hand what it was like to be in the towers, but there are way to many glory-enchaning "i did this, i'm this good" lines in the book. It's an alright read if your interested in how good of a chief (In his opinion) this guy is. Last Men Out is much better

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. This is the first book that I ever finished in a few days. It is a book from one mans point of view, but that is what makes it so great.. Sometimes to take a walk in someones shoes you have to hear it from them..ANd that is What Ricard does in this fine book. HE makes you feel and see what he felt and went through on a day like 9/11. This book is about Richard the Fire Chief and 9/11. But he tells it like it is and how it went down. He had no clue what was going on outside of the tower he was in. He just kept on pushing to help evacuate the north tower when all hell broke loose... I would recommend this book to ever Firefighter.. I loved it.

I'm surprised that I actually read the whole book. It is several hundred pages of one man boasting about his role on this tragic day. If you want to read a very good book about 9/11, try Report From Ground Zero.

I read this book after hearing about it from a friend. I found it was a very enlighting story of the heroism and humanity of new york firefighters. It was a book that I could not put down I finished reading it in two days. I would encourage all to read it and See for yourself.

Chief Picciotta took a horrific day in our city and country's history and tried to turn it into a personal account of his own so-called heroism. How dare he disparage the other people trapped in that stairwell who proved to be ultimately more courageous and more useful than he was. Many FDNY personnel can discount much of what he has stated as "truth" and it is really a shame that this fictitious book has become a bestseller. If you want to know the real story of what occurred that day in Stairwell B, ask the other 13 men and woman who were trapped with him that haven't felt the need to shout their heroic feats to the world.

When I first began reading Last Man Down, I found it to be very interesting and I really liked it. I began to tell all of my friends and even my family members that they should read it but my opinion quickly changed. The further I read into the book the more I noticed that the focus of the book went from the horrifying events of 9/11 to Richard Picciotto himself. I mean this was the first book that I have read on 9/11 so I can't compare it to anything but I still think that someone else could've done better on explaining what happened that day. I was asked what was the first thing that sticks out in my mind when I think back about the book and that is that Richard is in very good shape. When that should be of minor importance and what happened that day day should have greater importance. Well that's my opinion and thanks for taking your time to read it.

One of the most amazing books that i have ever read. One man gives his opinions in a raw unforgiving emotional testimony. He tells it like it was. In years to come.... this will be the book that documented one of the best ,first person accounts ,of a day in American History. You will never understand the sound or the feeling inside the World Trade Center on September 11th without this book. DO yourself a favor and read this book.