In The Line of Duty is a
softcover collection of photographs taken on and after September 11, 2001 in
New York City, along with a number of short quotations from both ancient and
modern sources on the nature of heroism in 123 pages, together with a list of
the members of the New York City Police and Fire Departments who lost their
lives on that day. The publisher’s
profits will go to the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s
Benefit Fund.

Many of the images will be
familiar: the twin towers on fire, the city covered in smoke, and the remains
of the collapsed buildings, and walls covered with pictures of the missing.
These pictures still carry great emotional weight, and seeing the police and
firefighters on the scene and at memorials reminds us of their devotion to
their jobs and the sacrifices so many made. 
Other images are less well-known, but also convey the extraordinary
circumstances and the powerful characters of those who devote themselves to public
service.

While In The Line of Duty is
well-produced with a strong selection of photographs, it does not tell the
stories of any particular individuals. 
In the last year there have been many television programs and newspaper
articles about the notable actions of police and firefighters; I was especially
struck by the documentary by Gedeon and Jules
Naudet on CBS on 9/11, that showed the way members of a firehouse worked
together as a group. Since it does not
tell such stories with words, this book misses a vital aspect of the heroism of
those who put their lives in danger to save others.

Nevertheless, these images
collected in this book are remarkable, and looking at them serves as a reminder
not just of the shock and horror we experienced, but of how the terrible events
of September 11 reminded us of what we hold to be most important in our lives,
and the virtues of public service.

© 2002 Christian Perring. All rights reserved.

Christian Perring,
Ph.D., is Chair of the Philosophy Department at Dowling College, Long Island.
He is editor of Metapsychology Online Review. His main research is on
philosophical issues in psychiatry. He is especially interested in exploring
how philosophers can play a greater role in public life, and he is keen to help
foster communication between philosophers, mental health professionals, and the
general public.

Categories: General, ArtAndPhotography