Ordinary Heroes
A Memoir of 9/11
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Ordinary Heroes
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Narrated by:
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Fred Sanders
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By:
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Joseph Pfeifer
About this listen
New York Times best seller
From the first FDNY chief to respond to the 9/11 attacks, an intimate memoir and a tribute to those who died that others might live
When Chief Joe Pfeifer led his firefighters to investigate an odor of gas in downtown Manhattan on the morning of 9/11, he had no idea that his life was about to change forever. A few moments later, he watched as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Pfeifer, the closest FDNY chief to the scene, spearheaded rescue efforts on one of the darkest days in American history.
Ordinary Heroes is the unforgettable and intimate account of what Chief Pfeifer witnessed at Ground Zero, on that day and the days that followed. Through his eyes, we see the horror of the attack and the courage of the firefighters who ran into the burning towers to save others. We see him send his own brother up the stairs of the North Tower, never to return. And we walk with him and his fellow firefighters through weeks of rescue efforts and months of numbing grief, as they wrestle with the real meaning of heroism and leadership.
This gripping narrative gives way to resiliency and a determination that permanently reshapes Pfeifer, his fellow firefighters, NYC, and America. Ordinary Heroes takes us on a journey that turns traumatic memories into hope, so we can make good on our promise to never forget 9/11.
©2021 Joseph Pfeifer (P)2021 Penguin AudioCritic Reviews
Ordinary Heroes is clear-eyed, spellbinding, extraordinary.” (Vanity Fair)
"Pfeifer’s record of that day and its aftermath surely enters the canon as one of the necessary documents of 9/11. But it’s his inclusive sense of public service, one that values the heroism of those who do ordinary things in extraordinary times, that makes Ordinary Heroes a book for today. (The New York Times)
"With great humility, Chief Pfeifer has crafted a moving story of how the FDNY was anything but ordinary in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack this country has ever seen. An incredible picture of the resilience, humor, and heart of New York’s bravest." (Jon Stewart)
What listeners say about Ordinary Heroes
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-09-2021
Well written account of 9/11 WTC
A raw and in-depth account from the first chief at WTC disaster- must read !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Roberts
- 21-12-2021
Never Forget The 343
A must read for everyone but especially for first responder and those who are inspiring to become a leader.
Unbelievable Accounts of 9/11 from the FDNY.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fiona Gregory
- 16-09-2021
The Kind of Guy You Want Leading a Crisis Response.
“I realise that without action there is no hope. And without hope there is no leadership. The heart of crisis leadership is the ability to sustain hope by unifying efforts to solve complex problems in the face of great tragedy.” Chief Joseph Pfeifer
The Battalion One Chief is memorable for his calm demeanour in the 9/11 Naudet brothers’ documentary. He was extraordinarily placed that crisp morning - not just because he saw the hijacked AA 11 hit the North WTC, his decisive response or the proximity of his firehouse to the site - but Joe had a particular set of skills that he’d accumulated personally.
He has since dedicated his career to improve many aspects of the FDNY including terror response protocols and cooperation among first responder agencies.
This is not just a recount of that fateful day and the months after, but it touches on the structure and protocols of the FDNY, Pfeifer’s back story and his family, the community of the FDNY, the terrible death toll from 9/11 dust, subsequent disaster responses and many other aspects that keep the reader engaged.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-08-2023
Emotional & inspirational
A gripping recount of the first responder on 9/11 & an insight into what would become the only known footage shot of the first plane to crash into the north tower.
As this heroic fire chief writes about his life, the events that unfolded that fateful day and the lives that were lost that day.
This book is gripping & rips to the emotional core on the day we will always remember.
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