Finding Paddy

By: Steven McCarthy

Narrated by: Steven McCarthy

Length: 1 hr and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Filmmaker Steve McCarthy explores the meaning of heroism by discovering the life of his friend, Captain Paddy Brown, New York's most decorated fireman who died on 9/11.

McCarthy starts with Brown's incredible acts of heroism, saving people from flames, breathing life into fire victims. Eventually, McCarthy finds a more complicated subtext: Brown's childhood in an alcoholic home, his abuse by priests, his rape at age 13, his traumatic tour of duty as a Marine in Vietnam, his string of lovers. Paddy emerges as a classic hero, one profoundly flawed and driven to acts of bravery by complex motives, including a drive for penance, self-destruction, and the creation of his own legacy.

Ultimately, Captain Brown seeks inner peace and in the course of that quest touches innumerable lives. At his moment of redemption, he climbs the stairs of the North Tower and dies comforting burn victims on an upper floor.

© and (P) Steven McCarthy

One of a kind

Wish i had in in my life..Amazing person !!
Thank you !! Rest peacefully Paddy Brown, you were/are an inspiration !

An Inspiring Life

Would you consider the audio edition of Finding Paddy to be better than the print version?

Have not read print version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paddy Brown. From difficult beginnings, and although stumbling along the way it would seem that Paddy Brown's life was one of self discovery and awareness of his place in the world.

What about Steven McCarthy’s performance did you like?

Steven McCarthy told a moving story well but without being over sentimental.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Right from the beginning, and punctuated through the story, the listener becomes aware of how valued is the man Paddy Brown through actual messages left by his friends, lovers, neighbours and colleagues on his phone answering machine as they become concerned for his safety.

Any additional comments?

I thought it was a story well told of a man whose life had such a positive impact on those who knew him.

A True American Hero

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Finding Paddy is a biography that tells the story of the life of F.D.N.Y. Captain Patrick J. Brown(Paddy to his friends.) anyone looking an example of heroism in todays world to tell your kids about or even fallow yourself would be well served to look here I think. No from the sound of it this Gentleman was not perfect but he can be seen as someone who may have made mistakes but learned to pick himself up and try again A good thing to learn for everyone.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Finding Paddy?

for me it was finding out that Capt. Brown had been a Vietnam veteran as well as a Firefighter.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scenes are the ones in which you find out just how much of a Fireman's Fireman Capt. Brown was willing to be.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The quite Hero

Not a book

This is the soundtrack to a video. Listening to it is not the same experience as seeing the video, since the speakers are rarely identified.

If you are a fan of the TV show Rescue Me...

If you are a fan of Rescue Me you really must read this book!
Excellently produced and formatted. You will not be able to stop listening. Be prepared to sit in your car for a while when you arrive at your destination to ensure that finish it!

Haunting and sad

This true story of the troubled life and heartbreaking death in the World Trade Center of a New York City fireman will stay with you long after you listen to it. Paddy overcame many blows that were dealt by life by becoming the very thing that led to his death- fearless and always there for others. The story is well told through the eyes of Paddy's aquaintances and well read. I recommend this book although you will be left with a sense of incompleteness and futility at the loss of this beloved, troubled and triumphate man.