D. E. McCourt

“Notes from the Firehouse” by D.E. McCourt

I don’t usually read memoirs, fiction is where my interest lies. With that being said, this firefighter’s memoir really pulled me in. His conversational tone made the story flow and it was easy to read. It wasn’t a book listing facts about what a firefighter does, and it wasn’t an action packed Ladder 49 story. It was truth, and it focused on every part of the fireman’s job. This truth is what kept me reading, and I especially enjoyed how this book was split into a number of short stories. Although the story was broken up, everything related to one another. I think this fact would make it easier to read for many people.

I thought it was great for the author, D.E. McCourt, to share his life as a firefighter with us readers. I can only imagine that another fireman would find pleasure in reading this memoir. This book proves that there is a strong bond between the people who put their lives on the line for complete strangers. Being a firefighter isn’t only about running into burning buildings and saving people from raging fires - though that is definitely a part of the job description. There is so much more to the job than that. D.E. McCourt shows us just how much more is involved in being a firefighter.

The stories in this book have a wide range of emotional topics. One story will be so sad, while the next can be hilarious. These stories are honest and it’s obvious that they come from the heart...this just makes it affect the reader that much more.

I would recommend this 4 STAR book to any person who enjoys honest and entertaining stories. It doesn’t matter if you don’t typically read memoirs...remember, I don’t usually either. I can count on one hand how many I’ve read...and I would never really have an accurate number of how many fiction novels I’ve read. This didn’t take away from how I enjoyed “Notes from the Firehouse” by D.E. McCourt. I don’t think it’ll take away your enjoyment either. If you’ve ever been curious as to what a firefighter’s life is really like, check this book out. I know I love what firefighters do for us...and let’s be honest...it’s pretty hot.

Go buy this book and read it for yourself to form your own opinion. Just don’t go into it thinking you’re getting a work of fiction, this book is nothing but honest.

4 STARS!

Happy Reading!… (altro)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a firefighter? Well Notes from a Firehouse gives the reader a detailed account of life as a firefighter, not only about putting out fires and rescuing people and pets, it tells about what it is like to work and live the life as a firefighter. Told with knowledge and powerful insight into how fragile life is, this is a wonderful memoir of a man in his rookie years to his retirement. It should definitely be read by all. I enjoyed it immensely and now it is in the hands of my hubby to enjoy.… (altro)

BLURB from Back Cover of the Book

Coming from a family of firefighters I should have known what to expect on the job. I didn't.
It's not all about fire - that was lesson number one.
No, it's a collection of things: assisting an elderly person at three o'clock in the morning, calming a terrified child in a traumatic situation, saving the belongings of a family from the ravages of a fire, seeing people in every crazy heart-breaking situation imaginable and trying to help them, while not losing yourself in the process.
It's about the insanity found in the firehouse - we called it the Cracker Factory -and the politics and pettiness that try unsuccessfully to steal the joy from the job. I never felt the urge to write about the nuts & bolts of the job; it's the humanity that needs documenting.

"This book was sent to me by the Author himself Doug McCourt and am looking forward to reading it, especially after reading the above blurb from the back cover of the book."

MY REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book, initially I thought it would be what I call a "blokes book" but it really isn't!
Its a collection of short tales of the jobs a fireman is expected to do, and not all involving fires!
I really found some of the tales really funny. Doug McCourt writes in such a way that as you are reading you can imagine being sat opposite the man himself over a cuppa with him telling you the stories in person.
I don't want to give away the content of the book so I will choose just one of the tales from early on in the book to comment specifically on.
The tale I have chosen is The Laughing Lieutenant, Where the guys in the Firehouse rent out funny movies to literally hear their stand in colleague, the Lieutenant, laugh at them! The Lieutenant may be laughing at the films but his colleagues are finding the laughing Lieutenant as much if not more funny than the actual films.
I think most people will enjoy this book. The blurb on the back of the book describes it so well. its the kind of book you can dip in and out of, so an ideal book for the busier reader! or someone trying to get back into reading more.
So did I enjoy the book? Yes and I would go so far as to say it is a rare book as I would be likely to read this book again. Would I recommend it? Yes

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £7.03 paperback £5.12 on Kindle… (altro)