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- Saturday Dad Reads Week of September 6
Saturday Dad Reads Week of September 6
Fireman, Famous Fires and My Recent Addiction
Welcome to this week’s edition! Here’s what we’ve got lined up:
📕 This week’s Book Summary and Review: Five Floors Up
🧑🦰 Author Bio: Brian McDonald
💣️ Dad’s Knowledge Bomb: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
📣 This week’s Dad Rant: I Can’t Stop Cutting Grass
Summary
Five Floors Up by Brian McDonald is a history of the New York City Fire Department told through the lens of the Feehan family. Dating back to the early 1900s, multiple generations of Feehan men have served in the FDNY and continue to serve at present. McDonald takes us to the early days of horse-drawn fire trucks to today’s multi-million dollar apparatuses, capturing pivotal moments such as the burning of the Bronx in the 1970s, the tragedy of 9/11, and the evolving culture of the department. At the narrative’s heart is Chief William M. Feehan, the only person to have held every rank in the FDNY and who tragically lost his life during the FDNY’s response to the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 attacks. McDonald uses Feehan’s life and legacy to explore the bravery, sacrifice, and deep familial bonds that define firefighting as both a profession and a calling.
📕 Review
I think it is a universal truth that firetrucks and firefighters are awesome. My son, before he could fully speak the “tr” sound, would have agreed and told you that “firefucks” are awesome. When you ask a group of 10 little kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, at least 3 will tell you they want to be firefighters. I like to think that had I not left central PA and embarked on the career path that I did, I might be spending my nights and weekends hanging out at the firehouse as a volunteer.
For many, firefighting goes beyond just volunteerism or a career. William Feehan, the focus of Five Floors Up, is one of those for whom it was a true calling. For all the chaos and danger he faced, there was something about combatting the “red devil” that Feehan found pleasing to his soul. In other words, William Feehan was firefighting and firefighting was William Feehan. Brian McDonald has captured Feehan’s essence beautifully as the only individual to ever hold every rank in the FDNY.
When Five Floors Up is at its best, McDonald is “talking fire” with us just as the elder and younger Feehan men would do at family gatherings. We get a sampling of the massive amount of lore in the FDNY, tales of ladder men vs. those on the engine, and stories of camaraderie that can only stem from staring death in the face and coming out alive. McDonald gives us entry into the close-knit, closed society of the FDNY and what it takes to break in and join that hallowed fraternity.
While there are parts that are difficult to read because we know how the story ends before we begin, McDonald’s writing makes you think that a different outcome might be possible and Chief Feehan would emerge from the wreckage of the Twin Towers, battered and bruised, but still very much alive.
McDonald maintains momentum over the course of the book with family anecdotes and highlighting Feehan’s role in famous NYC fires as he rose through the ranks, but when he navigates away from the Feehan family and “talking fire” to discuss FDNY department politics and political maneuvering, the narrative loses steam. I understand the narrative need for the inclusion of these passages so as to be able to highlight Feehan’s rise through the ranks and to illustrate how his job changed with each position move, but I struggled through those portions, a slight blemish on an otherwise solid piece of work.
In the end ☕️☕️☕️☕️ cups of coffee for this one. Cheers to those who serve, have served, and who have fallen in the line of duty in the FDNY!
Just like others know “ball",” Brian McDonald knows New York City . Born in the Bronx and raised in Rockland County, New York, McDonald’s writing takes inspiration from the city itself. He is a graduate of Fordham University and the Columbia School of Journalism, and has contributed frequently to major publications such as The New York Times. His career spans investigative journalism and nonfiction with a particular focus on true crime, urban history, and public service institutions.
McDonald’s bibliography includes critically acclaimed works such as My Father’s Gun, Indian Summer, and Last Call at Elaine’s. In addition to his own books, he has ghostwritten several memoirs and political books, including multiple New York Times bestsellers. His writing is known for its meticulous research, emotional depth, and ability to humanize complex social issues.
💣️Knowledge Bomb:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
One of my favorite units to teach when I taught American History was on the rise of immigration and industrialization in the United States. I always made sure to highlight the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in this unit and the changes that it brought about in American industry. With this week’s book being focused on the FDNY, what better knowledge bomb to drop than to talk about one of, if not the most, famous fire in New York City and American history.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, occurred on March 25, 1911 in New York City. The fire broke out on the eighth floor of the Asch Building, where the Triangle Waist Company employed mostly young immigrant women to sew shirtwaists (a popular women's blouse). Due to locked exit doors, inadequate fire escapes, and overcrowded working conditions, 146 workers—mostly women and girls—were trapped and died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or by jumping from windows to escape the flames. The tragedy unfolded in less than 20 minutes and shocked the nation, exposing the brutal realities of sweatshop labor and the lack of workplace safety regulations.
The societal impact of the fire was profound and far-reaching. Public outrage led to a surge in labor activism and reform, spearheaded by groups like the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and progressive politicians such as Frances Perkins, who later became the U.S. Secretary of Labor. The fire catalyzed the creation of the New York State Factory Investigating Commission, which led to over 30 new laws improving workplace safety, fire codes, and child labor protections. It also helped galvanize the American labor movement and laid the groundwork for modern occupational safety standards.
📣 Dad Rant: I Can’t Stop Cutting Grass
There are few things in life that are as satisfying as finishing cutting the grass on a Saturday afternoon and cracking open an ice cold beer. The post-lawn mow glow and beer are some of life’s small pleasures. I also love the ritual of cutting the grass. I throw on a pair of headphones, listen to a few podcasts, and tune the world out for a while. The only thing that matters is making a nice straight cut and making sure I don’t blow the clippings in the landscaping. However, with the onset of autumn, my grass cutting days are numbered.
Fortunately, I also own a PlayStation 5 and last weekend, for the price of just $5.99, I purchased a game that will allow me to cut grass all winter long. Lawn Mower Simulator is the ultimate dad game. You manage your own lawnmowing company and take out contracts to mow yards of different levels of complexity from the basic cow pasture to an intricate English country garden. You can also customize and build the ultimate grass-cutting machine.
The game is absolutely hypnotic and unbelievably soothing. I thought I had been playing for 20 minutes, but in reality 2 hours had passed and my son was begging me to give up the controller so he could play Fortnite. I responded: “Can’t you see how much more I have to mow?” 30 minutes later, I was still going and he went to get his mom involved. At that point, I was forced to relinquish the controller.
So, if you’re looking for your next time waster, Lawn Mower Simulator is well worth the download. I can’t stop cutting the grass.
Saturday Dad’s Rating System
I’m not a published author. Therefore, I’m never going to shit all over something that someone poured themselves into. That being said, each book will be rated on a scale of 3-5 coffees. Here’s what that means:
☕️ ☕️ ☕️ - You’re going to want to get comfortable and fill that cup up 3 times. This one’s solid!
☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ - You’re going to want to give yourself a few hours of alone time. Fill that bad boy up 4 times and buckle up.
☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ - Send the kids to grandma’s house and call off work. You’re not going to be able to put this one down. Make a whole pot and settle in for the long haul!