Product Description

On September 11th, Battalion Commander Richard 'Pitch' Picciotto was the highest ranking fire department commander in the twin towers when the North Tower fell. Pitch and his men were on the 17th floor racing upward when the world seemed to explode around them. From his intimate knowledge of the Towers gained during service after the 1993 WTC bombing Pitch was able to lead the firefighters to an alternative stairwell to floor 12 where they were met with a horrifying sight - more than 50 workers too crippled, too old, or too weak to have made their way out on their own. Pitch ordered his firefighters to form a human chain and pushed and cajoled them down the stairs. They were in the 7th floor stairwell when the tower fell, and Pitch and a handful of survivors woke to find themselves buried on the landing of floor 2. This is the story of how Pitch Picciotto led his men and the survivors to safety.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #216243 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Synopsis
On September 11th, Battalion Commander Richard 'Pitch' Picciotto was the highest ranking fire department commander in the twin towers when the North Tower fell. Pitch and his men were on the 17th floor racing upward when the world seemed to explode around them. From his intimate knowledge of the Towers gained during service after the 1993 WTC bombing Pitch was able to lead the firefighters to an alternative stairwell to floor 12 where they were met with a horrifying sight - more than 50 workers too crippled, too old, or too weak to have made their way out on their own. Pitch ordered his firefighters to form a human chain and pushed and cajoled them down the stairs. They were in the 7th floor stairwell when the tower fell, and Pitch and a handful of survivors woke to find themselves buried on the landing of floor 2. This is the story of how Pitch Picciotto led his men and the survivors to safety.

About the Author
A former New York City police officer, Chief Picciotto had been a Fire marshal, an arson investigator, a lieutenant and a captain, prior to becoming chief in 1992.He holds a B.B.A. degree and has been the recipient of departmental awards and commendations for bravery and meritorious service Picciotto lives in Port Chester, New York with his wife Debbie and his son Stephen.

Customer Reviews

I Question The Authors Morals
As I worked for a New York based company at that time I knew a number of colleagues who lost friends and family in the towers on that day. As a regular visitor to NY, and having stood on the observation roof of the twin towers, the events of that day hold a deep level of interest.
I bought the book thinking it was going to give an honest in-site as to the conditions in the remains following the collapse. Instead the author used the book to glorify what he did, make out he was a remarkable hero and character assassinate people that were allegedly with him during that day. He describes how survivors, members of the public and Port authority workers found it hard to coup with the conditions and the situation. How this man can name, names of those people, he saw and humiliate them as he describes how they broke down and snapped with the pressure of what was happening to them, made me very angry. These people survived a horrific experience and do not need this public humiliation.
I have watched countless documentaries about the event and people at Ground zero that day, along with numerous articles and never once have I come across the name Richard (Pitch) Picciotto. Other heros just tell it how it happened. He makes himself sound like a super hero and make out he saved those people and carried them out single handed, but reading between the lines the guy was a loose cannon and was close to retirement or the management getting rid of him.
As far as I'm concerned he made money out of other peoples misery. I wish I had not bought the book, as I've helped towards his retirement fund.

It left me in tears
Maybe I am just too emotional. Maybe its because I feel solidarity as a fellow emergency services worker ... or maybe its something else ...

but I found the sensitive portrayal of both the horrific events and the personal understanding of the politics, relationships and thoughts of the crews was superb.

A book I read cover to cover within the first two days on holiday

Excellent book and easy to read
As a firefighter myself i found this book easy to read as i understood what the author was writting about. In places the author seems to brag about himself, but having survived what he did i think i would as well.

The author, quite rightly, writes about the busget cuts within the service and this is something i can relate to as nearly all of what he wrote on these issues effects all fire departments here in the UK.

An excellent book and would suggest anyone pick it up and read it from cover to cover to see what goes through the minds of people when they are put under en-ending pressure.