Starring: Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, et al.
Director: Ron Howard

If you don't own it you should!

In his second book, William Cosgrove takes his readers into the harrowing lives of Chicago firefighters. He not only gives an insightful history of the Chicago Fire Department, but also gives an accurate account of the training that each firefighter endures and stamina required.

Everyone has seen the flashing red lights and heard the wailing sirens, but what do we really know about fire trucks? This action-packed, on-the-scene look at pumpers, aerials and tankers shows how they work and the people who operate them. The author also details specialized rescue squads like hazardous material units, high-angle rescues, swift water rescues, forest fire units and airport firefighting equipment with striking action photos that take readers to raging blazes and show the fire trucks and firefighters on the job. 

Ladder trucks may relish in all the glory of daring high-rise rescues, but it's their stout cousins, the pumpers, that labor in the trenches to execute the most critical of firefighting functions: moving water from the hydrant to the blaze. Author and ace on-scene photographer Larry Shapiro delivers this illustrated history of every fire company's workhorse. In addition to offering an overview of pumper evolution from 1950 to present, the book is bursting with archival imagery and Shapiro's trademark live-action photography capturing trucks built by such past and present manufacturers as American LaFrance, Pierce, Mack, Grumman, FMC, and others. Special detail photography helps readers understand how pumpers work. 

In the last decade, the scope of law enforcement responsibility has broadened dramatically. Today, most agencies maintain, or have access to, Critical Incident Response Teams (ne SWAT) operating specialized vehicles. MBI's ace with the f-stop, Larry Shapiro, once again showcases his uncanny knack for capturing emergency vehicles and their operators going about their danger-laden duties. Some of the seldom-seen contraptions captured on-scene in this illustrated exploration of specialized police vehicles include law enforcement SUVs, straight-bed trucks, buses, motorcycles, and ATVs. Readers witness the flashing reds reflected off wet pavement in the chill night air, as the author explains the functions of each vehicle and relates real-life stories of such dangerous tasks as haz-mat transport and drug enforcement. 

Tow Trucks in Action
Author: Larry Shapiro

While most people don't want to find themselves hooked onto the business end of a tow truck, everyone will delight in this full-color collection. Author and photographer Larry Shapiro pulls readers into the wonderful world of wreckers, from the small trucks used by service stations and body shops, to flat beds and medium-duty haulers mounted on semi-truck chassis. There are even specialty rigs and cranes picking up where the most familiar tow trucks leave off.

Fire Equipment
Author: Ed Hass

Fire Equipment, 144 pages (9" x 12"), illustrated (about 200 photos) history of firefighting equipment past and present, how they were and are used, how they evolved over the years, and what equipment from the past is most prized by today's collectors. Includes personal equipment, such as uniforms, helmets, turnout coats, boots, breathing apparatus, etc. Also covers types of equipment carried on various types of firefighting vehicles, from the traditionals pumpers, ladder trucks, and incident-command (chief's) cars to today's helicopters, water-bombing aircraft, fire boats, and airport crash-rescue tenders.

Volunteer & Rural Fire Apparatus Photo Gallery
Author: W. Wayne Sorenson, Donald F. Wood

See the enormous variety of volunteer and rural fire apparatus built in 20th Century America. Small town fire departments relied on fire apparatus built on commercial truck chassis such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge or International. The chassis would be sent to a builder, such as Boardman, Pierce, or Seagrave, who would outfit them with a pump, hosebed, ladder racks, etc. Some departments did the outfitting themselves, relying on a local bodyshop or welder to do bodywork.

A book that belongs in any fire enthusiast's library. This is the ultimate guide to fire trucks in 96 pages between two covers! Featuring fascinating facts, easy-to-understand details, and full-color photos of fire engines like no other book would have.

Shortly after the turn of the century, firefighters everywhere began to retire their beloved horses, which for more than forty years had been galloping eagerly to the scene of the blaze with pumping apparatus in tow.  Since that time, fire engines have evolved constantly, in terms of both styling and capabilities. Sidebars cover such topics as women firefighters, the effects of the two world wars on fire-fighting techniques, and the bitter controversy that erupted when some manufacturers began delivering fire engines painted bright lime green instead of the traditional red (the green was said to be more visible).

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The American Fire Engine
Author: Hans Halberstadt

Flamboyant--and excellent--color photos of restored and original American fire trucks from the 20s through the 60s together with a few more ancient examples, b&w period photos, and a bit of history of the equipment. Will have much appeal beyond the ranks of collectors.

An outstanding look at the career of firefighting. Dennis Smith's vivid imagery makes you feel like you're in the battle right there with his company. It also shows the toll that firefighting takes on it's participants, the physical as well as the emotional scars the job leaves.

The San Francisco Chronicle, Louise Rafkin
Her descriptions of firefighting are immediate and real. Paul takes us inside the smoking houses and captures the intensity of the job in clear, often elegant prose.... This skillfully written memoir imparts an understanding of both the science of firefighting and the complicated alchemy among those men and women who brave the blazes.

 In a profession that catches workers somewhere between daredevil and do-gooder, smokejumpers risk their lives to protect the wilderness. Beil profiles a handful of men and women, capturing the drama, excitement, and danger of their job, and describing the tools, methods, and training that help them do their work. 

Big City Fire Truck 1900-1950
Authors:  Donald F. Wood, Wayne Sorensen

German Firefighting Vehicles in WW II
Author: Michael Foedrowitz