This is the moving story of a community who opened its homes to more than 6,000 stranded airline passengers on 9/11/01. "The Day the World Came to ...
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Feb 19, 2009
george
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I read this book a few years back when I picked it up while visiting Newfoundland. While I don't remember enough details to give a complete review, I remember really enjoying it. It's basically the tale of what happened when a whole lotta planes and 6,000 passengers and crew were grounded in Newfoundland on 9/11 due to the air restrictions. The tiny airport that had been all but abandoned since the invention of the jumbo jet was suddenly inundated with planes and passengers. The locals find out
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Sep 27, 2011
Nancy
rated it: 
This book was great! Made you feel that people really do care out there. If only each community could have this spirit......what a better place this world would be!!
"For the better part of a week, nearly every man, woman, and child in Gander and the surrounding smaller towns stopped what they were doing so they could help. They placed their lives on hold for a group of strangers and asked for nothing in return. They affirmed the basic goodness of man at a time when it was easy to More...
"For the better part of a week, nearly every man, woman, and child in Gander and the surrounding smaller towns stopped what they were doing so they could help. They placed their lives on hold for a group of strangers and asked for nothing in return. They affirmed the basic goodness of man at a time when it was easy to More...
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Jan 03, 2011
Kathy
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this heartwarming book. Here's a little blurb from the summary: "When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001, due to the closing of United States airspace, the citizens of this small community were called upon to come to the aid of more than six thousand displaced travelers." I loved reading about how the people of this small community and how the passengers reacted to such an ex
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Oct 23, 2010
Joyce
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I had seen a television documentary in the spring of 2010 about this story, so sort of knew what to expect. As with the television documentary, the part about the attacks of 9/11 made me sick... I will never not be sick when I think or hear about those attacks that day.
The story is, for the most part, uplifting as it describes the way the people of Gander take in and care for the passengers of the international flights that were detoured to their airport after the US airspace was cl More...
The story is, for the most part, uplifting as it describes the way the people of Gander take in and care for the passengers of the international flights that were detoured to their airport after the US airspace was cl More...
May 25, 2010
Zohar - ManOfLaBook.com
rated it:
f I started reading a book about 9/11 and a few pages into it found that an American General, a CEO of an international clothing conglomerate, several members of the board of a wealthy charity, an NYPD detective and parents of a firefighter who is lost in the World Trade Center were stuck in a small Canadian town in the middle of Newfoundland (not to mention a long-lost native son) I would have put the book away with a chuckle and started a new one.
Nevertheless, this is not fiction More...
Nevertheless, this is not fiction More...
May 04, 2010
Barb
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everyone should read this true story to add some uplifting memories to our tragic recollections of 9/11. don't bother remembering the names, not at all important. just countless, amazing acts of kindness from the "newfies" people in the gander, canada area. wow! thanks, mary jane, for finding this book and allowing me to read it. loved it.
here is a review from amazon: The events of September 11 have seemingly been covered, analyzed, and discussed from every angle imaginab More...
here is a review from amazon: The events of September 11 have seemingly been covered, analyzed, and discussed from every angle imaginab More...
Mar 04, 2011
dee
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An amazing story. I couldn't put it down. I want to move to Newfoundland now. When 38 jetliners bound for the US were forcd to land in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11th the citizens of this communinity rallied together to care for thousands of stranded and very disturbed travelers. There was no stone unturned as they showed compassion and caring like nothing I have ever read about. I have never read a book about 9-11 because even ten years later I just didn't want to. I thought I had
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Jul 26, 2010
Cris
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Until now I had never considered what kind of risk Canada took in accepting all those diverted flights. The US government was afraid there might be terrorists aboard other flights, right? So they shut down US airspace. But if there had been additional terrorists, they might very well have acted even after their flight was diverted. So Canada took a very real risk when they accepted so many orphaned flights.
The day the world came to town is very readable as Defede concentrates of rela More...
The day the world came to town is very readable as Defede concentrates of rela More...
Feb 06, 2009
Liralen
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This is the account of when a large number of Jumbo Jets headed for the US on 9/11 had to land in Gander, Newfoundland, landing tens of thousands of overseas fliers in the town on nearly no notice at all. The number of people that came in outnumbered the population of the town, but the town gathered all its resources and welcomed them in.
This was written by a reporter after the fact, and he went around gathering the stories, so it's all second-hand accounts. I occasionally found th More...
This was written by a reporter after the fact, and he went around gathering the stories, so it's all second-hand accounts. I occasionally found th More...
Dec 12, 2011
Clytee
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I really liked this book and read it in a couple of days (which is fast for me). It relives 9/11 in an upbeat way. When the US airspace closed on 9/11, incoming flights from Europe had to land in Canada. This town of Gander, Newfoundland had a large airport because is was historically where many military and commercial flights would re-fuel between the US and Europe. Thirty- eight flights ended up landing there with 6,595 passengers and crews, in a town of 10,000 people. This journalist int
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Mar 08, 2011
Keri-Lynn
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Fascinating book and logistical wonder. I am truly impressed with all the research and interviews that went into telling the multiple stories that blended to create this book. With so much tragedy and pain coming out of 9/11 it was very nice to read about positive things and how individuals rose to the occasion when presented with a challenge. The author chose to concentrate most of the book on stories we can all relate to but he also included some unique individuals and their exploits. Very
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Jul 26, 2009
Lis
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An enjoyable read about what happened to those in the air on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Maybe because I lived in Utah at the time - or maybe because it was really never discussed (crazy to think there was a detail like this overlooked in a 24-hour news cycle!) - I had no idea that Gander, Newfoundland, took on 7,000 people and 500 members of flight crews for three days afterward. I had a difficult time keeping track of what details when with whom; there were folks who were mentioned once, ne
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Feb 19, 2009
Cathy
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When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the US were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland on Sept. 11, 2001, due to the closing of US airspace the citizens of this small community and surrounding towns immediately began to care for the thousands of distraught travelers. Gander's response to this challenge was truly extraordinary. They found temporary housing for the passengers, cared for the animals that were on the flights by crawling into the cargo areas of the planes, one elementary teacher
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Oct 14, 2009
James
rated it:
I wish I could capture the conversation that results when you try to recommend this book. Here's a try:
Reader: I found this great book, you'd really like it.
Friend: Oh, what is it about?
Reader: It's about 9/11 ...
Friend: (Face contorts into uncomfortable cringe)
Reader: ... when all these international flights to the United
States were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland and how accomodating the natives were to the strandees.
Friend: Let's talk about so More...
Reader: I found this great book, you'd really like it.
Friend: Oh, what is it about?
Reader: It's about 9/11 ...
Friend: (Face contorts into uncomfortable cringe)
Reader: ... when all these international flights to the United
States were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland and how accomodating the natives were to the strandees.
Friend: Let's talk about so More...
Jul 24, 2011
Jean
rated it:
On September 11, 2001, 38 airliners were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, because US airspace was closed after the terrorist attacks. This is the story of what happened during the time the travelers were in town. DeFede follows several groups of passengers and Canadians as they cope with the tragedy and live during the days before they could leave. Good people, stupid people, no really bad people although the captain of one airplane told passengers they were going on to the US, to get the
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Oct 08, 2009
Karen
rated it:
Thank you Jim DeFede for letting people know about the kind and selfless people of Gander, Newfoundland and the surrounding towns. This should have been covered in the media after the 9/11 attacks to show the world that the majority of people are willing to help their fellow humans.
This book talks about how the people in Gander put their lives on hold to help the more than 6,000 people stranded on their island when the airplanes they were aboard on 9/11/2001 were told to land in Newfoundla More...
This book talks about how the people in Gander put their lives on hold to help the more than 6,000 people stranded on their island when the airplanes they were aboard on 9/11/2001 were told to land in Newfoundla More...
May 21, 2011
Lynda
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Probably due to the fact that I married a Newfoundlander and so have met a ton of those wonderful people, I had a soft spot for this book even before reading it. Still, it was sweet and told some of the many stories of the 6,595 world travelers who landed in Gander, Newfoundland -- a town of about 10,000. The people sprang to action, opening up their homes, showers and hearts to the stranded and shaken passengers on the 38 planes force to land by the closing of US airspace on Sept. 11, 2001.
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Nov 03, 2010
Joanmom
rated it:
If you like reading about how crises and rescues are handled, this is a good one with no one getting hurt in the process, at least in Newfoundland. Immediately after planes hit the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on 9/11, all US airports were closed and everywhere in the world, planes heading to the US had to light down somewhere. For 38 planes and 6,595 passengers and crew members, this was Gander, Newfoundland. The story is about how a small town welcomes strangers with cots, food, coffee, sho
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Feb 28, 2010
Michelle
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"The Day the World Came to Town" is more than just a feel good story. It gives you a glimpse into the Newfie way of life. They know how to put "unity" into community. A lesson we can all learn from and strive to put into practice in our own lives and neighborhoods.
There are two people's stories that left a lasting impression on me. The first is when the old Jewish man went to visit the Rabbi. I just wonder why some people do the things they do.
Number t More...
There are two people's stories that left a lasting impression on me. The first is when the old Jewish man went to visit the Rabbi. I just wonder why some people do the things they do.
Number t More...
Feb 01, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
This is a very readable book, quick and easy. Its approach is a little journalistic, which makes sense considering that the author's background and writing career is in journalism. The story is heartwarming. It is so incredible to read about good things happening on 9/11 in other parts of the world. The story is written about several specific people who's flights get diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, after United States airspace closed down on 9/11. The stories are unbelievable, heartwarming, he
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Feb 10, 2010
Mary Jane
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The event of 9/11 was so horrific and so encompassing - beyond what was shared with us via our mainstream media. I never, ever gave thought to the 38 overseas flights that were headed to the USA when our airspace was closed. Rather than turn the planes around (a dangerous venture), many of these planes were were rerouted to Gander, Newfoundland. This story relates how the people of Gander - @ 10,000 in number - opened their homes, their hearts, their very world to the 6595 people who "came
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Jan 01, 2012
Frederick
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A heartwarming story of a small town inundated by 6000 stranded airline passengers after 9/11. Gander, Newfoundland is where most of the planes crossing the Atlantic at the time of the 9/11 attacks were told to land. It has a large airfield and space to store lots of planes. US airspace was closed for several days afterwards and the passengers were forced to remain in Gander while authorities sorted out what to do. The people of Gander organized operations and did whatever they could to make the
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Feb 05, 2010
Dale
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Of the few feel-good books about 9/11, most involve revenge toward some perceived enemy or grief/praise for the victims; only this book really makes one feel good about the adaptability and resilience of our fellow man. Most of the grounded U.S.-bound passenger airliners that day were sent to one place, Gander, Newfoundland, and the people living there became host to all those people. All my wonderful feelings about Canadians and their country are confirmed here, and the historical background gi
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Apr 19, 2010
Ahna
rated it:
Very amazing story about Newfoundland and how the whole country came to the rescue to the families and friends that were left behind during 9/11 when air space was shut down to the United States for the first time in history. Very touching stories of all walks of life wanting to go home and not knowing how devistating the tragedy was on 9/11. I personally want to thank all that have helped with all the passengers wanting to come home and letting them in your lives and homes. Shows true spirit
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Jan 21, 2012
kenpen
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I'm not sure how I stumbled upon The Day the World Came to Town, but I'm glad I did. I've had it on my shelf for awhile, and finally picked it up for the 10 year anniversary of September 11th.
This year I didn't watch any of the tv coverage, though I did read some stories and look at pictures on the internet. I really didn't want to bring back all the sadness. So why would I pick up a book about 9/11 you ask.
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede was about 9/11, but a go More...
This year I didn't watch any of the tv coverage, though I did read some stories and look at pictures on the internet. I really didn't want to bring back all the sadness. So why would I pick up a book about 9/11 you ask.
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede was about 9/11, but a go More...
May 04, 2009
Abby
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I’d never thought about it before, but on 9/11 there were bunches of planes on their way to the U.S. when they closed American airspace. Turning around and flying back to the country they took off from was not necessarily an option, so many of them landed in Canada. A big group landed in Gander, Newfoundland, and the community had to take in over 10,000 airplane refugees for days until the jets could leave again. It was a pretty massive undertaking. Good job, Gander peeps.
It made me More...
It made me More...
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Jul 28, 2009
Stewart
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The true story recounted in this book is nothing short of remarkable. Thirty-eight planes in mid-air on their way to the United States on September 11th, when the Towers fell, were re-routed to the tiny town of Gander Newfoundland, because it had long runways and storage space from the days, decades ago, when it was a fueling pit stop for transatlantic flights prior to the advent of the jet engine. The townspeople of Gander gave their time, homes, food, resources, and hearts to the thousands o
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Dec 10, 2008
Patty
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Since I am very uncomfortable even thinking about 9-11, it was good to read a book about some good things that came out of that tragedy.
The people in and around Gander, Newfoundland, Canada are amazing. I cannot imagine what we would do if over 5,000 people and a few animals were dropped into my home town. I hope we would be as generous, but how do you know until it happens.
When the airplanes struck the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, I think most of us just strug More...
The people in and around Gander, Newfoundland, Canada are amazing. I cannot imagine what we would do if over 5,000 people and a few animals were dropped into my home town. I hope we would be as generous, but how do you know until it happens.
When the airplanes struck the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, I think most of us just strug More...
Sep 27, 2011
Debbie
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I enjoyed this book because first of all I had never really thought about where all of the planes had to go on 9/11 when they closed U.S. airspace. It's amazing how thoughtful and generous the people of Newfoundland were to the hundreds of stranded passengers. It made me remember the positive side of 9/11 in that it brought the world together and everyone tried to focus on what was really important. Even though the book was short, I almost felt like it could have been even shorter. I got bored i
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Feb 24, 2011
Carla
rated it:
This is a book club read for sure! Well written, well paced. It is hard to keep all the names of different people involved straight, but he does a good job of giving enough information straight away, so that I was able to recall who he was talking about. It is an uplifting story about a time in which nothing felt uplifting. Makes me want to add Gander, Newfoundland to my itinerary if I ever get to make my dream pilgrimage to Prince Edward Island.
