I Will Follow You Anywhere

The True Story of the 9/11 Responders Who Took On Congress

Published by BenBella Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

The untold story of an American hero who proved that one person can turn trauma into heroic action—from the wounded construction worker who became a relentless champion of the 9/11 responders.

On September 11th, 2001, John Feal rushed to Ground Zero to assist with the recovery and cleanup in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. 96 hours later, his destiny was forged by steel when an 8,000-pound beam crushed his left foot. As he adjusted to a partial amputation and went broke paying medical bills, he watched his fellow responders suffer and die from cancer and other ailments caused by the dust in the air they were told was safe to breathe.

Forgotten by a broken healthcare system and lawmakers who had promised to #NeverForget, Feal knew it was time to fight.

Now, in I Will Follow You Anywhere, he shares his “recipe” for getting things done. Accompanied by stories from his fellow responders in their own words, Feal lays out his rogue approach to the ground game of representative government, empowering readers in all walks of life to take on the system and win.

While working to get the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and healthcare bill passed, Feal caught the attention of comedian Jon Stewart, who joined the cause and became a valuable ally and dear friend. In 2019, Stewart’s testimony before Congress went viral, placing a much-needed spotlight on the frustration and grief of those long abandoned by their government—and the bill was finally signed into law. In the years since, Feal, Stewart, and his team have championed the PACT Act for veterans exposed to burn pits and lent their expertise to other worthy causes.

John is now a “hired gun” for activists fighting to get legislation passed. With I Will Follow You Anywhere, he shares his hard-won wisdom and expert strategies that will enable underdogs everywhere to stand up against a mighty system.

About The Author

John Feal is a native New Yorker and Army veteran who worked as a demolition supervisor at Ground Zero until a disabling injury five days into the cleanup. He lobbied Congress to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which he fought to defend and expand in 2015 and 2019 with the help of dozens of his fellow 9/11 responders, post-9/11 illness survivors, and comedian Jon Stewart. He has since gone on to pass 19 pieces of legislation and is working on number 20. 

Through the FealGood Foundation, he continues to advocate for the health needs of first responders nationwide. His appearance on Fox News with Jon Stewart has gone viral. John has spoken at the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Princeton University, and Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. His story has been covered by Vanity Fair, NPR, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal, and all major news networks, and in two documentaries. 

John is a Pat Tilman Foundation honoree, a recipient of the New York State Liberty Award and the New York State Medal of Honor for Civilians, the founder and chairman of the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, and a kidney donor.

Product Details

  • Publisher: BenBella Books (October 13, 2026)
  • Length: 296 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781637748749

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Raves and Reviews

“In this powerful and inspirational book, John Feal expertly demonstrates what it means to be a leader, organizer, and activist. Through fierce determination and relentless perseverance, the FealGood Foundation, Jon Stewart, and a devoted array of sick and dying first responders show us the true meaning of Never Forget.” 
—Steve Buscemi

“John Feal made me famous . . . I’d follow him anywhere.”
—Jon Stewart

“John created a system never seen before that others can learn and use for their own causes.”
—Michael McAuliff, reporter for New York Daily News and Daily Beast

“Blunt and relentless, I Will Follow You Anywhere is a story of loyalty, accountability, and courage that didn’t end when the dust settled.”
—Jake Wood, cofounder of Team Rubicon and author of Once a Warrior

“I have never read a more accurate, responsible, and heartbreaking rendering of the events of that day and all those long days afterward. Feal brings the reader on a ‘mission after the mission’ journey, from the perspective of a humble citizen who stood up when it counted.”
—Robert John Burke, film and television actor, volunteer firefighter, and 9/11 responder

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