Firestyle Magazine Issue 1 - Autumn 2015 | Page 59

London’s Firefighters David’s newest book, London’s Firefighters, is available to buy from 30th September… ‘London’s Firefighters is a wonderfully readable, lavishly illustrated anthology of articles, fiction and verse about the London Fire Brigade, most of it gathered from the Brigade’s house magazines London Fireman (1966–82) and London Firefighter (1982–2005). The book’s editor David C. Pike, himself a retired firefighter, has cleverly selected material that delivers both a comprehensive history of the London Fire Brigade and a fascinating portrait of individual firemen and women, at work and (occasionally) at play. The book includes vivid, occasionally harrowing articles on important events involving the Brigade – the Sidney Street Siege of 1911, the London Blitz and the 1981 Brixton riots, to name just a few – as well as covering key figures within the Brigade like James Braidwood and Massey Shaw. The more personal sections provide a revealing insight into the bravery, commitment and camaraderie of ordinary working firefighters and their families. The numerous, often highly dramatic illustrations, many from the London Fire Brigade’s own collection, offer a lively commentary on the text. All the profits from this book will go to the Fire Service charity, Firemen Remembered.’ Purchase Information Beyond the Flames is available to order and London’s Firefighters will be available to pre-order from Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith, Foyle’s, Blackwell’s and from Austin Macauley Publishers. Beyond the Flames is available in paperback from £12.99 and London’s Firefighters is £19.99. 59