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An excellent compilation put together by the author/editor, David Pike. His use of the well placed historic and contemporary images adds so much to the selected stories and articals from a former fire service magazine. A wonderful use of his time in producing this enjoyable read that goes towards helping a worthy charity. A recommended title.
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A great insight into the London Fire Brigade and its Firefighters. The book contains wonderful Photographs,Images and Illustrations into what it was really like to be in the London Fire Service. Well researched and written by the Author who himself served for over 30 years as a London Firefighter. This book should be read, not just by Firemen,but all Londoners to help us appreciate the dedication and skill that these men and women have to preserve our safety from FIRE in London
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This book caught my eye since it was on display in the window of my North Devon W H Smith's. So I went in to take a closer peek. It is such a pick-upable book. The incredible selection of images grabs your attention from the start, and David Pike's careful editing has provided a wealth of tales from London's fremen and some from his own pen. I walked from the store having been well and truely hooked, and naturally paying for the book. I have now read London's Firefighters from cover to cover and have not been disappointed by my purchase. A really engaging read for anyone interested in London's history, the fire service or just people doing an extraodinary job. Highly Recommended.
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History comes alive. This is a book that needed to be written, as the further we get from these events and recollections of the heroics of ordinary people performing extraordinary feats in the most testing of circumstances, the more likely it is that they will be forgotten altogether.
It does talk of a time gone by, but the last couple of years have been full of remembrances of the heroics performed by other groups of people during the Second World War, and David Pike is right to include this period in the book, but also, to take us back to the very start of organised firefighting. The fact that this is all done in a very readable manner, and in shortish chunks, means it can be used partly as a reference book for information but also as a 'Wow, did people really do that' page turner. That the proceeds are going to charity to recognise the work of these heroes is icing on the cake
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A wonderful thrawl through my many years as a London Fireman. Great selection of photos featured. Would recommend this book to anybody who has an interest in the life of Firefighters and the work of Fire Brigades......
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This is Dave Pike second book and a must read and one to keep. I never get tired of London Fire Brigade's history and this book delivers it bucket loads together with some amazing images too. A must buy. Well done Mr Pike.
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If you have the slightest interest in Fire Services then you must have this book in your library. It is a superb accounting of events, happenings, tragedies and euphoria from the point of view of the author David Pike. A very special collection of remarkable tales and images edited through his lifes work of loving his job and the people he worked with and those in the communities that he served. A recommended buy.
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This book, so well written and well presented, is a treasure trove of articles and photographs. As a retired firefighter myself I found the book engaging and informative as well as entertaining! If you are not a firefighter then this book will give you a unique insight into a very special profession and particularly, a very special Fire Brigade and the Men and Woman who serve in it. I highly recommend it.
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A well crafted and valuable piece of London's Fire Service History.Very accurate as it comes from the firefighters themselves. .. Easy reading and pleasing to the eye with photographs in profusion to capture the atmosphere of the times.This book will not dissapoint those who turn the pages and glimpse into a world now gone but thanks to the author, Dave Pike,himself a retired firefighter, not forgotten.
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David Pike’s second book is a remarkable achievement. His editing has combined enlightening stories and facts from the London Fire Brigade with an array of compelling images, many rarely seen before. It’s a pick me and put me down type of read, and each time you learn and enjoy a little more. I have no connection to the fire service, but this is a delightful book that gives the reader a feel of what it is to be a firefighter, in all its guises.
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A very well put together collection of articles and photographs that provide a fascinating insight into the history of the London fire brigade, capturing key moments such as the Brixton riots and the London blitz, this would make a great read for anyone who has worked in this field or for any London history buffs out there! A brilliant read!
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I am an ordinary London, no connection to the Fire Service whatsoever. This collection of tales and images takes you on a special journey into the life and times of London's firemen and women of yester year. A great read and well put together. A first class book.
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Having read Pike's autobiography, charting his life in the London Fire Brigade I was keen to get a little more insight into Brigade life when this anthology became available. The book breaks down into various stories, prose, factual snippets and first-hand experiences from different contributors. As a result it delivers atmospheric descriptions of life in the Brigade and also many deeply personal and emotional accounts of events and their long-term effects. The many photographs and images drop you even further into the atmosphere and add a fascinating extra aspect to the book.
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An interesting insight of how the men of The London Fire Brigade used to be. Personal accounts of incidents and occurrences during the busiest periods of London Fire Brigades history. A VERY GOOD READ INDEED.
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A rather special book that adds much to the genre of fire service writing. Special in the manner of its editing, special in the number and range of exceptional true and fictional stories the book contans, special because of the remarkable collection of fire service images.This is not a book for just fire brigade anoraks, it is a book for anyone who likes short stories that you can pick and choose. A recommended purchase and one worthy to place on your book shelf.
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This book is an absolute pleasure to read, the book amazingly brings a fireman's dramatic and eventful career into perspective. The articles offer a surreal insight into popular events and show the true formidable side to it, the side the firefighters bravely tackled. Within the book is a variety of pictures, which allows us to have a special pass into the past of the fireman's history; each picture telling a different story, once again adding drama. The parts in verse are also wonderfully enjoyable, it was an inventive take to take on the fireman's tale. I would definitely read this book if firefighters history interests you, however if you are not, like me, someone that doesn't have a particular interest in it I would still give it ago! It's an engaging read which is hard to put down.
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Remarkable collection of stories and fire brigade photographs put together in a delightful way. Highly readable and enjoyable. Recommended.
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A delight to see these wonderful stories resurrected from the former London Fire Brigade in-house magazine in such an exceptional fashion. A well put together book that is both a good read and a visual pleasure. Clever use of an A - Z index format in a book that is easy to pick, put down and pick up again. You do not have to have had a fire brigade background to enjoy this read, it is a book for anyone who enjoys London or social history, or maybe some good old fashioned story telling. A very good book.
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Well its arrived; Dave Pike’s new book. At first glance I can see that I’m going to enjoy it. It also makes me sad though that the service that most of us here remember, is no more.This book is about a time before ‘elf & safety’ became an industry. Before the time of ‘Integrated Personal Development Systems’ – so-called competencies - which has been allowed to go haywire and now noes no bounds. Indeed this is about a time before such things became objectives in their own right and people just got on with it.Dave, you have done a great service; well done and thank you.
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Fantastic book a must read for firefighters and the public alike. wonderful history of the London Fire Brigade.
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This book is not just for serving or retired firefighters, but a cracking read for anyone. For those of us who had served, it evokes memories both poignant and amusing, for those who haven't an insight into a profession and way of life behind the wail of sirens and flashing blue lights. Highly recommended for both a great read and a generous gift of all profits to charity. Buy it!
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Excellent, and essential read for those connected with the fire service, but equally readable for other unconnected people. Brings back memories and makes you aware of the sacrifices made but not always acknowledged.
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If you are a retired or serving firefighter from any fire brigade/fire services, or someone interested in the history of The London Fire Brigade or just need a dam good read this book is for you, with a wealth of information, history, personal stories, poetry, photographs and much more.
Dave Pike has used his talented writing gifts to produce a great read with something for everyone even my 84 year old mum loved it! His book deals with the in-house fire magazine of The London Fire Brigade in a fashion that makes it easy reading, if you know a firefighter that has a birthday here is the easy solution, buy this you wont go wrong.Once you have read this one then try Beyond the Flames by the same author, a personal history told through the eyes of a firefighter from the start of training to his final day.
You will not be disappointed
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A real treasure trove of fire service stories and images. Of interest to anyone who like to reflect on times gone by in the London Fire Brigade, in fact to most that just like a good read of short stories. Wonderful images and well edited. This book delivers. Recommended.
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The UK's Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015
David's book 'London's Firefighters' has been awarded a Bronze Medal by the panel of assessors in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the non-fiction Adult category. Individual assessor reviews will follow.
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Brilliant read. As a Londoner I frequently watched fire engines race to emergency calls never thinking much more about it. Now living away from London this wonderfully presented and illustrated book tells of the work of our firemen and firewomen through the pages of its in-house magazine. Superbly put together by the author David Pike. Well done. Recommended.
