How to Read Barry Donadio's Books
Barry Donadio's bibliography does not follow a single continuous series. Instead, his books span three distinct genres: firsthand military/emergency response memoirs, historical action-fantasy fiction, and detailed New York family histories. Because of this, the best reading path depends entirely on your personal interests rather than a strict chronological narrative.
Recommended Starting Points
- For Memoir and History Enthusiasts: Start with TWA Flight 800 First Responder Witness Account (2013). This is Donadio's most famous and widely read work, offering a direct, personal look at a major historical tragedy.
- For Fans of Supernatural Action & Historical Fiction: Begin with That Day When Hell Froze Over (2019), a fast-paced battle between medieval Catholic knights and supernatural forces.
- For Genealogy Researchers: Choose the specific volume from his New York Family History series that matches the family surnames or geographic areas you are researching. These are reference works and can be read in any order.
Barry Donadio's Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read Barry Donadio's books in the order they were written and released to the public, here is the complete chronological list of his works:
- TWA Flight 800 First Responder Witness Account (2013) – Nonfiction Memoir
- That Day When Hell Froze Over (2019) – Historical Fantasy / Fiction
- McMahon, Mathews and Biggs Family Histories of Brooklyn New York (March 15, 2023) – Genealogy / Nonfiction
- Saltaformaggio Family History of New York (March 25, 2023) – Genealogy / Nonfiction
- Garavuso Laravuso Family History of New York (April 2, 2023) – Genealogy / Nonfiction
- Perrin Family History Of New York (April 11, 2023) – Genealogy / Nonfiction
- Donadio Family History of New York (May 2, 2023) – Genealogy / Nonfiction
Breaking Down Barry Donadio's Books
The Memoirs and Firsthand Accounts
Donadio's literary career began with the release of TWA Flight 800 First Responder Witness Account in 2013. Drawing from his background as an EMT and volunteer firefighter on Long Island, the book recounts his immediate response to the tragic 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800. It stands as a unique, raw, and government-censored memoir that captures the intense reality faced by the emergency responders on the scene without diving into conspiracy theories or cause speculation.
Historical Action and Supernatural Fiction
In 2019, Donadio shifted genres to write That Day When Hell Froze Over. Set over a thousand years ago in the regions of modern-day Iran and Afghanistan, this historical fantasy novel follows a disciplined force of Catholic knights sent by the Pope on a high-stakes mission. Their journey escalates into an epic confrontation against the forces of Satan and his demons, culminating in the intervention of the Archangel Gabriel.
The New York Family History and Genealogy Series
In early 2023, Donadio published five consecutive books detailing the genealogy of various families in New York. Drawing on his skills as a private investigator and over thirty years of personal research, these books act as comprehensive reports tracing ancestral roots using census records, birth and death certificates, official documents, and oral histories. They include:
- McMahon, Mathews and Biggs Family Histories of Brooklyn New York: Explores the connections between these three Brooklyn lineages and their ties to early New Amsterdam settlers.
- Saltaformaggio Family History of New York: Documents the lineage of the Saltaformaggio family name in New York.
- Garavuso Laravuso Family History of New York: Traces the Bari, Italy origins and New York immigration of the Garavuso and Laravuso families starting in the late 1880s.
- Perrin Family History Of New York: Focuses on the Perrin family lineage and their history across New York.
- Donadio Family History of New York: Documents the author's own paternal family roots originating from Potenza, Italy, and their connections to local New York lineages.
What to Know Before You Start
Since Barry Donadio's books span very different categories, readers should keep in mind that the writing style adapts to the subject matter. His memoir is straightforward and reportorial, his fiction is action-focused with religious and supernatural elements, and his genealogy books are structured like investigative family history reports rather than narrative novels. There are no cross-over characters or plot continuities between these different categories, allowing you to pick and choose exactly what suits your reading preference.