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From the side of the road on the New Jersey Turnpike, I saw the first tower collapse. It was so surreal. I was not even listening to the radio. I was watching and trying to see if my mind was deceiving me. I actually said to someone beside me, am I seeing this? Is it real?
I couldn't get to the Bookreporter office in Manhattan, so I turned around and drove home. It was deathly quiet. Driving by Newark Airport, I saw no planes, nothing in the air at all but the smoke and distant helicopters. It was like the world came to a halt, just stopped cold...
And now a year has passed.
As we approach the first anniversary of September 11th, more than 150 books are being published on the subject. While many say that history cannot be written with any perspective at this point, we see why this tragedy has brought with it a need for books --- and the conversation that will arise from them.
Here we look at some titles that we feel will give readers more insight and background --- stories that will expand on the network, cable, newspaper, magazine and other print coverage with the kind of depth that only can happen with a book.
One note here. There are some who feel we all should just "move on." They question why any books are needed after the media coverage we have seen so far. When I hear this, I am reminded of an e-mail I got right after the 11th urging people to "Never Forget." It referenced the famous words of World War II --- "Remember Pearl Harbor" --- and talked about how the continuous remembrance of the horror of December 7th reinforced the country's resolve to fight back.
This same mail went on to say how many terrorist acts we have forgotten these past years, acts that failed to galvanize us ---- the '93 World Trade Center bombing, the Kenya and Tanzania embassy bombings and the bombing of the Cole, among them. I realized how many of these incidents were mere headlines to me, not events that affected my life. They happened somewhere else and thus did not impact me. The message in this mail has stayed with me. I have found myself focusing on remembering September 11th these past 365 days.
Reading these books was not easy. There were many nights and mornings that I would close them and need to pull myself out of an overwhelming sense of sadness over the enormity of these terrorist acts and their impact on so many innocent people. I have pored over photographic tributes, accounts of survivors, personal stories from families and friends, and the works of journalists. I found myself reading them wondering how I would have reacted if I had been there. I have found myself sharing these stories with family and friends, encouraging them to read these books to expand their knowledge of this day's events. And now I ask you to do the same.
--- Carol Fitzgerald
LET'S ROLL: Finding Hope in the Midst of Crisis
Lisa Beamer with Ken Abraham
Tyndale House Pub
Inspiration/Biography
ISBN: 0842373195
On the morning of September 11th, Lisa Beamer was unpacking from an Italian vacation with her husband, doing laundry and thinking what a busy week it would be with her one son starting pre-school and the other going to Gymboree classes. Her husband Todd had left in the pre-dawn hours for a one-day business trip to San Francisco.
Her day, and life, were shattered with a phone call when a friend told her to turn on the television. The horrific tragedy at the World Trade Center was replayed over and over, as Lisa thanked God that Todd was not on either of those flights, which originated in Boston. But she did not have his itinerary, so she wondered where he was, and what flight he was on. She assumed he was in the air as she could not reach him on his cellphone. In the next hour, Flight 77 from Washington, DC smacked into the Pentagon; moments later Flight #93 was known to be hijacked as well. Piecing together a number of details, Lisa and a few close friends ascertained that Todd was on this flight.
By 10:06 AM, Todd's plane, Flight 93, had crashed into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and Lisa was a widow at the age of 32.
In this book Lisa shares a candid look at her life with Todd, exploring the importance of his and her faith, and their goal to balance the demands of work and family in their lives.
Then she moves on to talk about her new world without Todd. The section where she tells her older son his daddy has died will reinforce how the burden of this day's tragedy is borne by so many very young people. The paragraphs where she talks about needing appropriate maternity attire for her husband's memorial service, as well as the Presidential address at Congress and the numerous talk and news show appearances that she made, will humanize her experience.
The chapter on the birth of her daughter Morgan, who she will raise alone, will show readers how strong this woman is, but reinforces how tough this new life will be. The stories of how Lisa and the boys celebrated Todd's birthday and his life will give readers an idea of how special a person he was.
No one goes through life without challenges. Reading LET'S ROLL will show the burden carried by one woman and her courage and faith as she moves on with a life that right now does not "roll" the way she planned.
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AMONG THE HEROES: United Flight 93 and the Passengers and Crew Who Fought Back
Jere Longman
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060099089
On 9/11, United Flight 93 took off from Newark destined for San Francisco. Before it crashed in Somerset County, PA, a heroic group of passengers and crew members rushed the cockpit to regain control from a band of terrorists whose target was somewhere in the DC area.
Jere Longman looks at each of the passengers on that plane and shares why they as individuals and as a group were formidable adversaries for these hijackers. Some of these names are well-known to us; others were more quiet heroes. There were many passengers on this flight who had been destined to take a later flight, or one another day, but some stroke of fate drew them to this mission.
Noteworthy is that everyone on board refers to 3 hijackers, while we have been told there were 4. One woman is sure her husband was slain early in the hijacking as she never heard from him, which assures her that he was incapacitated early. Many small stories have been woven together into a bigger picture of the people on this flight. I found myself reading the prose while flipping back and forth to look at the pictures of each hero. This made their stories a lot more personal.
Reading about these people, their families and the lives they left behind, I recognized that stories of Flight 93 often were dwarfed by the enormity of coverage given to the World Trade Center, which made this title even more engaging. If you would like to read something a tad different about the day, this is a book worth exploring.
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THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TO TOWN: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
Jim Defede
Regan Books
ISBN: 0060513608
Of all the books I read, this is my favorite. Why? It presents a side of the terrorist tragedy that I had never given much consideration.
At 9:45 AM on the morning of September 11th, the U.S. airspace was shut down completely by the Federal Aviation Administration. While domestic flights were able to land in various cities around the country, there was the huge task of dealing with international flights hailing from Europe and Asia. With limited fuel capacity these flights cannot circle for hours waiting for the right moment to land.
The town of Gander, Newfoundland became the landing spot for 38 of these flights, as 6,595 passengers from 40 countries descended on Gander and surrounding towns and nearly doubled the population of 10,000. What happened in the days that followed showed how crisis often brings out the best in people.
The townspeople rallied quickly, opening shelters for each flight and extending hospitality to each of these stranded passengers. Blankets, towels, toothbrushes and a selection of toothpastes (that selection made me smile) were delivered to each shelter. With luggage stored in the holds of each plane, there was a need for clothing and medications. Townspeople donated what could not be found on the local Wal-Mart and other store shelves, and more than 1,000 prescriptions were filled gratis. A group of caring personnel rallied to care for the pets that were being transported in the holds of the planes.
One woman asked a Newfie how she would get her personal towels back after the crisis was over. She looked at her guest in astonishment and indicated that it really was not a very big deal. Clearly this was just about being there to give what was needed.
This book takes a small place on a map and gives it a face. It's filled with all kinds of little known facts --- like Newfoundland actually has its own time zone, which is 1 1/2 hours ahead of Eastern Time --- and thus makes this an interesting geographical and historical read, as well. If you are overwhelmed by the other choices available, this book may be the escape you want. I found myself inspired by these stories of human kindness.
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FIREHOUSE
David Halberstam
Hyperion
ISBN: 1401300057
The valor and heroics of the New York City Fire Department on 9/11 has been well-documented. In this book David Halberstam breaks down the monumental story of the department's loss into the stories of one firehouse --- Engine 40/Ladder 35, which lost 12 of the 13 firemen who were dispatched to the Trade Center. While much has been written about the courage of these rescue workers, this book delves deeper into the day-to-day lives of firefighters that may be unknown to the general public --- such as how the chief goes into a building first, with the least experienced man behind him --- and how the passion of these men is driven by saving others while also forming a community amongst themselves.
Readers walk away with a picture of each of these men that gives us much better understanding of why they ran into the buildings that fateful morning and never looked back. The black and white photos of these men, which grace the back cover,
personalize the story even further. Meeting the families behind these men gives deeper perspective to the loss they face.
A personal note --- reading this book I realized that a few years ago when there was a fire in our office building on 57th and Broadway, this was one of the fire companies dispatched to the scene. I wonder how many of these men were a part of that rescue effort.
Halberstam reports like the outstanding journalist that he is. Over the past year I have wondered who the best journalists are when I am reading coverage of news events --- Halberstam sits squarely on my list. The facts are melded with strong prose and will keep readers flipping pages as if this were a well-written novel, instead of a non-fiction work.
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STRONG OF HEART: Life and Death in the Fire Department of New York
Thomas Von Essen with Matt Murray
Regan Books
ISBN: 006050949X
Thomas Von Essen was the Commissioner of the New York City fire department on September 11th. If you think about the department as a company with Von Essen as its CEO, instead of a civil organization, you realize the intense professional as well as personal loss this man felt this day. By 10:30 that morning, most of his key reports had perished, as well as his spiritual guide, Mychal Judge. The department's ranks had been deciminated, and yet he needed to lead and control what seemed to be an overwhelming situation.
While there had been numerous tragic incidents in his 31-year-history with the department, none would match the tragedy of this day.
How was Van Essen able to lead at a time when the odds were so overwhelming? Years of lessons learned were the building blocks. Looking back at his career in this book, we see his love for the department, and his appreciation of each man as a firefighter. We trace his rise to the top of the department while charting the various mishaps he encountered along the way. We learn how he drew on the courage and support of those around him.
There are many poignant stories of heroism and bravery crammed into these pages. One has stayed with me. It's the story of Timmy Stackpole, who returned to work after a three-year recovery from injuries incurred in the well-known Atlantic Avenue fire just days before the World Trade Center attack. He died at the World Trade Center. Van Essen says he was not sure he could ever look Stackpole's wife Tara in the eye again. I cannot even imagine her emotions that day.
Van Essen kept a diary during the months after the attack. Many of his notes appear in this book. Reading through them, remember that each note on these lists was a separate crisis to be dealt with --- and followed up on. Looking back, these notes serve as a quick study of just how much needed to be done.
The book shows Van Essen's vulnerabilites as much as his strength. How he overcame his many challenges will make this book interesting to readers.
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NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 11
Magnum Photographers
powerHouse Books
ISBN: 1576871304
Immediately following the attacks the airwaves were filled with video images of the tragedy. While these had us gasping and reeling, many people told me that the true magnitude of the tragedy came the following day when they viewed the still photography. "A picture did say a thousand words." What people saw was horror captured in a second; these frozen moments made readers pause.
This book has that same effect. In coffee-table size photographs, we relive the days in photos. Photographers also contribute captions to their work, as well as short essays or stream-of-consciouness thoughts. The book opens with words from David Halberstam that will set the tone for the photos --- and what we saw that day.
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ABOVE HALLOWED GROUND: A Photographic Record of September 11, 2001
Photographers of the New York City Police Department
Viking Press
ISBN: 0670031712
For days after the attack on the World Trade Center many questioned why there was no rescue attempt from the roof. It seemed so simple to envision a helicopter landing, an elite crew rappeling the sides of the towers, and as least some lives being rescued. A look at the pages of this book will give readers a look at just why this would never have worked. The density of the smoke engulfing the building is given a new perspective with these shots taken by the photographers of the New York City Police Department.
Marvelously shot from angles above all over the city, the photographers bring readers a unique perspective on the day --- and the magnitude of the destruction.
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NEVER FORGET: An Oral History of September 11, 2001
by Mitchell Fink and Lois Mathias
Regan Books
ISBN: 0060514337
What each of us saw on September 11th brings it own special memory. This extremely well-done book has some great writing about the events of the day. Many of the stories are woven together with two and three people sharing their thoughts on an experience they went through.
There are tales from the streets of New York and those who saw the story from above, and below. The coverage from these real voices gives deeper credence to how the horror embraced people on so many sides. But the stories of courage are just as memorable. What you will see here is the indomitable spirit that embraced the city in these tough days.
This is the kind of title that will be a great reference in later years when our grandchildren ask, "What happened on September 11th?"
Mitchell Fink and Lois Mathias are husband and wife. He is a well-known journalist; she is a meditation teacher and environmental activist. They are both to be commended for the role they played in getting these stories onto the page --- and editing them in a way that gives readers get a new look at 9/11.
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PORTRAITS 9/11/01: The Collected "Portraits of Grief" from The New York Times
by Howell Raines, Janny Scott (Introduction), the New York Times, Emerson
Times Books
ISBN: 0805072225
If you have any doubt about the depths of the human loss of September 11th, this 558-page book will erase them. What's there? Portraits of the victims that are verbal snapshots of the people behind the numbers. We'll learn what made these people special to those who loved them.
When these pieces first ran in the Times as "Portraits of Grief," I spent a part of each day reading them, wanting to be sure that I remembered the human toll was not just a total number of people who died, but rather individual stories about people who meant so much to so many. While no one I personally knew died that day, reading these pieces I was able to wrap my arms around the memories of many of the victims. Each was a hero in his or her own way, not just for where they were that day, but who they were to the people in the world around them. These photos and these brief essays not only made me think about these people, but also the people I love --- and encouraged me to tell them this now. What many of us took away from this horrible day was just how much our friends, families and colleagues matter to us.
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WHAT WE SAW: The Events of September 11, 2001, in Words, Pictures and Video
CBS News, Dan Rather (Introduction)
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743241908
When the events of 9/11 unfolded, people quickly turned to television for a view of what happened. Included as part of this book is a full-length DVD of CBS News' coverage of the tragedy, a unique multimedia addition to the story. In words and pictures this book outlines what we saw, complete with timelines and an opener by Dan Rather. Enlisting the CBS News team, including many of the on-air personalities we know, the book gives a clear view of the tragedy from the moment the first eyewitnesses phoned in their reports.
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LOVE GREG AND LAUREN
Greg Manning
Bantam
ISBN: 0553802976
On September 11th medical personnel lined the streets of New York and readied themselves at hospitals for an anticipated onslaught of injured. Few came. Lauren Manning was one of those rescued with burns over 85% of her body. Her condition was grave and life-threatening. This book came out of the writing her husband did each evening when he returned home. He wrote e-mail missives to their family and friends charting Lauren's progress. Signing the first note "Love, Greg," something looked wrong to him. He added "& Lauren." In this way he kept her alive to him and to their friends.
I read this book in March around the 6-month anniversary of the tragedy. Lauren and Greg's story had first come to my attention in a New York Times piece where Lauren was hailed as a survivor from Cantor Fitzgerald. Reading this piece and seeing her indomitable spirit beneath these bandages, readers could see she was going to win this battle.
The book covers the medical part of the story in great detail. As Greg is sharing the story, he takes great care to make it readable for laymen. I now have a new respect for these victims and the medical workers who treat them.
Lauren was in a drug-induced coma for a long period as her body healed. When she emerged, she was catapulted into a world where so much had changed. The news footage of the disaster was news to her. Each day she would ask about her Cantor friends and slowly learned that most of them had died. Couple this with her physical recovery process and you will understand how much Lauren had to overcome.
The book also looks at the range of emotions this couple, and their families, experienced. What you will see here is a man's love for his wife. When I wrote Greg the night I finished the book to compliment him on it, his reply told me that they were all looking forward to the next step in the recovery process --- Lauren's return home from rehabilitation. This to them would be a milestone that they dreamt of for nine long months. What I saw was the focus these people had on Lauren's recovery and how it was a project in partnership. I look forward to hearing more about Lauren's progress as the anniversary approaches. This story has stayed with me.
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SEPTEMBER 11: An Oral History
by Dean E. Murphy
Doubleday
ISBN: 0385507682
Where were you when the first building was hit, or the second, or when the towers collapsed, are questions that were asked repeatedly in the past year. Each person brought his or her own perspective to this story.
This book looks at 41 people who were impacted by the events of the day. Many you have never heard of, but their tales reinforce that 9/11 was about extraordinary things happening to ordinary people. Divided into sections --- In the North Tower, In the South Tower, On the Outside, To the Rescue, Narrow Escapes and In the Pentagon --- readers get inside each of these places.
Remembering that none of these contributors are journalists or authors makes Murphy's role in this book even more challenging. He needed to keep the rawness of the moment a part of the writing while also getting into the personality of each writer. It is a task he handled well.
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INSIDE 911: What Really Happened
Der Spiegel
St Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312306210
While most of the titles written about the events of 9/11 are by American journalists and writers, this book was drawn together by the editors of the German news magazine, Der Spiegel. Published last March, this book looks at the terrorists who wrought this destruction, tracing their actions in the months and years before the attack. The investigative journalism gives readers minutely researched information that will shed even more light on the the events of the day. For those wanting to round out the information that they have read, this book provides a new angle.
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A NATION CHALLENGED: A Visual History of 9/11 and Its Aftermath
The New York Times, Nancy Lee (Editor), Lonnie Schlein (Editor)
Times Books
ISBN: 0935112766
In the days following September 11th, some of the most comprehensive coverage was done by The New York Times, which ran as section called A Nation Challenged in each issue of the paper for months following the attacks. With a combination of photojournalism and reporting, these pieces would provide a comprehensive look at the attacks, the war in Afghanistan, the further terror of anthrax and what this all meant to the world as we knew it. An unprecedented six Pulitzer Prizes were awarded to the Times for this coverage, along with the George Polk Awards for national and foreign reporting.
For anyone who missed this coverage, or would love to have it all in one place, this is a book that should not be missed.
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