An unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the men who protect us from the most frightening prospect of life in the age of terrorism "In my mind it's all business; I don't worry about my family, I don't worry about a function that I'm doing after work, I just worry about what's at hand. And what's at hand is that package." -- Detective First Grade Joe Putkowski, NYPD Bomb Squad The New York City Police Department Bomb Squad is the oldest such squad in the nation, founded in 1903. Each year its thirty-three members make more than two hundred stress-filled "bomb runs," in which they check suspicious briefcases, defuse hand grenades, and even respond to "art" projects constructed with real explosives. The public rarely sees these men--and when they do, it's usually from a distance, telephoto pictures of helmeted figures in ninety-pound suits of Kevlar armor. Starting on December 31, 2003, in the heart of the New Year's Eve action in Times Square, journalists Richard Esposito and Ted Gerstein had exclusive access to the nation's most elite police unit for an entire year. Their often chilling, never-before-told tales from the front line provide an extraordinary view of the domestic war on terrorism.

Members of a bomb squad certainly didn’t choose an easy or boring career. Bomb squads are made up of brave, intelligent, and highly-trained men and women who are called in to diffuse potential explosive devices. Readers explore this dangerous and heroic career path through engaging text, including detailed fact boxes. A graphic organizer presents important information about this career in a fun way. Full-color photographs and real-world stories of bomb squads in action give readers a clear picture of what this career entails.

Describes the responsibilities of bomb squad technicians and discusses the dangers that they face.

Provides an introduction to bomb squads, including their history, function, equipment, and targeted criminals.

The technology of bomb disposal is explained in detail, while separate chapters are dedicated to bomb squads from the NYPD, LAPD, Oklahoma City, Jerusalem, Madrid, and Frankfurt. The last chapter dissects a typical bomb squad investigation. Photos depict actual bomb blasts and their aftermath, bombs being defused, and bomb squad gear and vehicles. Everything except, of course, how to make a bomb.

It takes a special kind of bravery to face down a live bomb . . . but the people in this book demonstrate that courage every time they go to work. Experts on bomb squads around the world face new dangers every day. Inside, read how they stay ahead of the bombers and how they train their minds and bodies to handle the stress of disarming explosive devices. Adventure, courage, talent . . . and service--they can all be found in the stories of brave men and women who go . . . ON A MISSION. Each title in this series contains color photos, close ups of key tools and technology used on each mission, and back matter including: an index, further reading lists for books and internet resources, and a series glossary. Mason Crest's editorial team has placed Key Icons to Look for throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are then used in the prose throughout that chapter, and are emboldened, so that the reader is able to reference back to the definitions- building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. A Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter contains terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

Get ready for an explosion of taste The author of '10,000 Drinks' and 'The Big Bad Ass Book of Shots' is now serving mind-blowing concoctions that pack a punch in every glass. From the 'gin and bear it' to the 'kamikaze dive', this hip, authoritative guide brims with boilermakers; drinks where you drop a shot into a beer or other alcohol and then gulp it fast before it foams over. More than 100 classic and original recipes include mixed-shot car bombs, energy bomb drinks and brand-new creations.