This book was loaded with B/W pictures of Fire Apparatus from the early part of the century, right thru the publication of the book. Many of the pictures were from Manufacturers own archives, which gives a unique idea of what the equipment looked like pre-service. A great many of the pictures were from WI, and Western US states, with not enough from the Northeastern US.

Color pictures of some of the more noteworthy trucks would have been nice, to set off distinct eras in equipment manufacture.

I am a serious toy fire engine collecter (over 100 and counting).
This book is an invaluable guide in dating the fire engines and support vehicles that come my way. This book contains the pictures and descriptions of fire engines used by volunteer fire departments over a 150 year span (1850-2000). One note of concern, it virtually ignores the American Lafrance company which made the cadillac of fire engines during virtually the same span of the book.

If you are a fire truck buff than this is the book for you. It is very informative, and shows some very unique styles of trucks.

This book is good, it contains many photos from manufacturers collections, The main problem is that is shares photos from the other books from these authors.

I love fire. I love learning about how to make fires and how some may try to put those fires out. This book provides a glimpse intothe mind of a fire - killer. I create fire because it is a thing of endless beauty and wonder.