July 2007

Gritty Historical Novel Leads Readers Into a True South Bronx Tale Filled with Arson, Slumlords & NY’s Bravest

Decorated Retired South Bronx Fire Fighter Chronicles How Heroes Helped Save a NYC Community While Losing Their Lives in the Process

In his gripping new novel, John Finucane, a retired NYC Fire Department lieutenant, draws on his real life experiences while chronicling New York’s best kept secret in a dramatic tale of slumlords hiring arson-for-profit gangs to level the South Bronx in the turbulent late 1960s and 1970s. All of which happened while the city’s politicians turned a blind eye to the murderous results.

John Finucane has written a riveting and fast moving novel … Not only does he nail the drama in a way only an experienced firefighter can, be literally puts the reader inside the fire scene … Reading John Finucane’s comprehensive description brought back memories of my admiration for firefighters everywhere.
-- Charles J. Hynes,
Kings County District Attorney,
Former Fire Commissioner of NYC For twenty years

John Finucane breathed the acrid smoke, hauled the heavy hoses, and climbed the telescoping ladders for New York City’s heroic fire department. He now writes about it from the gut—with verve, power and poignancy. This is a fireman’s fireman, pulling no punches and telling the story of a firefighter in New York’s grittiest neighborhoods during the turbulent 1960s and 70s.
-- Roger D. McGrath, Ph.D.
History Channel Commentator
Author, Gunfighters, Vigilantes & Highwaymen

When the Bronx Burned, is a historical novel that follows New York’s bravest as they fight flames, arsonists and politicians; helping to save a community and in the process, risking their own lives. Filled with conflict, action, political corruption, and victims and villains straight from history, When The Bronx Burned is based on the author’s years of duty with Engine 85 at 167th Street & Intervale Avenue from 1967 to 1971, and Ladder 59 at the Bronx Tin House at 169th Street & Boston Road from 1971 to 1976.

When the Bronx Burned is a gripping and heart-wrenching dramatization of a true-life ten year dirty secret, recounting a period that saw one of New York’s most colossal failures in urban planning resulting in widespread greed, desperation and destruction. John Finucane shares an insider’s view that pulls no punches when laying praise – and placing blame – for one of the most heroic and harrowing periods in New York City firefighting history.

About the Author

The son of Irish immigrants, John Finucane was born and raised in New York’s infamous South Bronx. After serving as a paratrooper in the 1/503rd Airborne Battle Group of the 82nd Airborne Division, John began his career as a firefighter. For more than two decades he fought fires in some of the toughest ghetto neighborhoods in NYC. His personal experience working in two of the busiest fire companies (Engine 85 and Ladder 59) in the South Bronx was the inspiration for When the Bronx Burned.

A retired lieutenant, John is a member of FDNY’s Honor Legion, and he served proudly at Ground Zero doing recovery work for the victims. He is the founder and former chairperson of the “Advocates for a 9-11 Fallen Heroes Memorial” (http://www.911fallenheroes.org/). In addition to serving on the board of the FDNY Emerald Society for over 25-years, Finucane also published the American Irish Newsletter, and served as president of the American Irish Political Education Committee.

The father of three children, John, Brian and Stephanie, Finucane currently resides with his wife Margaret in Yonkers, NY.