Anyone interested in my upcoming book about the story and restoration of my Grandfather’s fire truck

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01-18-2013, 03:42 PM

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Anyone interested in my upcoming book about the story and restoration of my Grandfather’s fire truck

Hello everyone. My new book on the story and restoration of my Grandfather’s fire truck is almost finished and I am trying to see how many copies I should get printed. For those who are not familiar with my restoration thread here is a link to it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...heetmetal.html

The book is approximately 120 pages and will have a hard cover. It will cost around $30 plus shipping. The more copies I have printed, the lower the price per copy is, so the actual price may be lower.

Here is a little background for those who are not familiar with my grandfather’s truck and the restoration. My grandfather was a Captain on the Chicago Fire Patrol. The Patrol was organized and funded by Insurance Companies to help reduce their smoke and water damage claims. The fire patrolmen responded with the fire department to all fires and when they arrived on the scene and the fire department didn’t need assistance, they would go to work covering property and merchandise with water-proof tarps. For instance, it the fire was on the 3rd floor they would be on the floors below trying to beat the water being applied above them by the fire department. After the fire was over, they would rid the building of excessive water and prevent further damage to the building by covering broken windows and holes cut in the roofs. They would also put the fire sprinkler system back in service by replacing activated sprinkler heads thus protecting the build from another fire. Here is a link to my first book: http://chicagofirepatrol.com/

Since there was very little information about the Chicago Fire Patrol, I decided to write a book about the organization. The book completed in 2007, was a success and I sold copies all around the world. While researching the Patrol for the book, I befriended members of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. The Museum had the actual Fire Patrol truck that was used by my grandfather in the early 50’s. When they had to downsize their fire truck collection, the truck was sold to me. I have owned the truck since 2007 and have been restoring it ever since. While researching the truck and performing the restoration, I found it a fascinating story so I decided to write a book about the truck itself.

Here are some excerpts from the book:
“This is a story about a fire truck; my grandfather’s fire truck and its sixty year existence. From its construction and delivery to the Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol, to its nearly thirty year run in the fire service and finally, in my possession thirty-two years after my grandfather’s death.”
“My heart was racing when I heard it start up and I climbed aboard. It’s hard to describe to someone the feelings I was experiencing: Looking out the same windshield my grandfather had looked out some fifty years ago and pulling the handle hanging off the dashboard, to activate the siren as he had done while responding to fires. I imagined him in the seat, his large fingers pointing the route that he wanted his driver to take to the fire. I could see him putting on his fire coat and helmet while formulating his plan of action.”

I am not asking for any money at this time. I just would like to know how many would be interested in a copy. I have 65 requests for a copy so far! Please let me know if you are interested.

Thanks Keith

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