About this item
On the tenth anniversary of a portrait of tragedy survival and healing from the author of The New York Times bestseller Report from Ground Zero This year marks the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon an occasion that is sure to be observed around the world But among the memorials political speeches and news editorials the most pressing consideration- and often the most overlooked-is the lives and well-being of the first responders their families and the victims families over the past decadeDennis Smith a former firefighter and the author of the bestselling Report from Ground Zero addresses this important topic in a series of interviews with the heroes and families of those most affected by the tragedy either through feats of bravery in the rescue efforts or heroic bearing up in the face of unimaginable loss Smith provides an intimate look at a terrible moment in history and its challenging and difficult aftermath allowing these survivors to share their stories of loss endurance and resilience in their own words A Decade of Hope is an honest and vitally important look at a decade in the lives of those for whom a national tragedy was a devastatingly personal ordeal.
About the Author
During his 18 years as a New York City firefighter, Dennis Smith developed a profound respect for the professionalism of the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and nurses with whom he worked in the more than 40 alarms his engine company responded to every day. He witnessed their willingness to give of themselves in the course of their duty. The most important lesson about this dangerous occupation is to know that you can go one way and save a life, or you can go the other way and possibly lose your own. Prudence, experience and instinct guide the way. His experiences in the fire service have been immortalized in his books, most notably "Report from Engine Co. 82."
In 2001, Dennis responded to the attack on the World Trade Center, arriving there just as the second building fell. He stayed for 57 consecutive days, first in rescue work and then in recovery. The following year, he wrote "Report from Ground Zero," which rose to the top of the bestseller lists.
Dennis has spent half of his life in the emergency service and the other half writing books. His experience and reputation make him powerfully and uniquely able to represent the interests and needs of emergency professionals and departments. His career as firefighter, best-selling author, magazine publisher, business leader, and director of important youth service and emergency-service not-for-profit organizations provides him with a sound point of view about what is needed to make the world better and more connected.
Dennis Smith most recently founded an international social media website: www.wavepeg.com.
"Of Love and Courage," a story set in New York and Manila, is Dennis Smith's 17th book.
