The romance of firefighting

the long version

The Romance of Firefighting by Dr. Robert Holzman This pictorial history-magnificently illustrated-gives a panoramic view of American firefighting, from rough-and-ready colonial days to the streamlined experts of today. (1956) It is Americana at it's lively, colorful, heroic best. Peter Stuyvesant, Ben Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere, P.T. Barnum, John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, and a host of other stalwarts-and some villains-were all concerned with volunteer firemen, a breed designated "the glory of civilized life." When the brawling, pugnacious volunteers passed from the scene, there emerged the professional steam pumper, which flew down the streets behind those most noble creatures, the fire horses, All these and more are seen in action on woodcuts, lithographs, historic photos, prints (there are four pages of full-color Currier & Ives scenes from The Life of the Fireman), and paintings. Here also are the great fires of the past, as witnessed by artists and photographers in all parts of the country. Robert Holzman's vivid commentary is filled with the danger, folly and humor that have marked all eras of firefighting, and with the astonishing personalities who thrilled to the shout, "Fire!" The author has ransacked the records to find the anecdotes and unusual episodes, as well as a lavish collection of pictures. Here, in all its glowing nostalgia and red-hot excitement, is the saga of the American fireman-a lively, reckless, glorious segment of our national history. Dr. Robert Holzman, Professor of Taxation at New York University, Vice-President of the New York Civil War Round Table, member of the American Historical Association, the New York Numismatic Club, Controllers Institute of America, Federal Tax Forum, author, collector, lecturer, holds Fire Line Card #1 from the New York Fire Department. OVER 300 ILLUSTRATIONS 8 PAGES OF COLOR