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Downing of Twa Flight 800
Argues that TWA flight 800 was downed by the accidental lauching of a Navy missile and that the government is engaging in a coverup
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First published April 15, 1997
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About the author
James Sanders
3 books1 followerJames Sanders, a police officer turned investigative reporter and author of The Downing of TWA Flight 800, Altered Evidence, and First Strike with Jack Cashill.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 9, 2013
The Downing of TWA Flight 800 by James Sanders was originally published in 1998. This version is updated and available in digital format. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book shows us yet another example of a government cover up. I don't know why the government insist upon treating us like children. I don't think anyone really believed most of the bologna the FBI and so on tried to get us to swallow back when the plane exploded over Long Island. But, the media in all forms were fed information, the information they wanted the American public to know, not what really happened. In other words they manipulated the entire situation from start to finish. They were probably about to pass a brick, terrified that the horrible, tragic truth would eventually come to light.
The author is a journalist, his wife was actually a Flight attendant with TWA. This is where James began to become interested in this story. He paid a high price for his involvement.
Now I understood the author's theory of what really happened and what actually caused the jet to explode. I also think it's entirely possible.
Now, when the details began to get a bit technical, moving away from witness accounts and things like that, I will admit, I didn't exactly digest all of that. Formulas and chemicals and details that are important to the case, still went over my head a little.
There are pictures and documents included in the book as well.
A lot of disturbing things took place in the course of the investigation into the crash and the author had some rather disturbing experiences as well.
Now of course we are maybe jaded by all this information. It may make us angry and frustrated and if should make us feel sick, but I think we have become almost accustomed to being lied to and cover ups are something we know is happening more often than not.
This type of book might have you sitting up at night, not afraid of anything supernatural, but of things we have no control over from our very own government. Things haven't changed since TWA flight 800 crashed. The government still panics and tries to sell the public a load of you know what. In fact, it's almost like they just don't know how to do it any other way. It's all about covering their butt.
An interesting read, very well researched and very thought provoking and chilling.
I give this one an A.
This book shows us yet another example of a government cover up. I don't know why the government insist upon treating us like children. I don't think anyone really believed most of the bologna the FBI and so on tried to get us to swallow back when the plane exploded over Long Island. But, the media in all forms were fed information, the information they wanted the American public to know, not what really happened. In other words they manipulated the entire situation from start to finish. They were probably about to pass a brick, terrified that the horrible, tragic truth would eventually come to light.
The author is a journalist, his wife was actually a Flight attendant with TWA. This is where James began to become interested in this story. He paid a high price for his involvement.
Now I understood the author's theory of what really happened and what actually caused the jet to explode. I also think it's entirely possible.
Now, when the details began to get a bit technical, moving away from witness accounts and things like that, I will admit, I didn't exactly digest all of that. Formulas and chemicals and details that are important to the case, still went over my head a little.
There are pictures and documents included in the book as well.
A lot of disturbing things took place in the course of the investigation into the crash and the author had some rather disturbing experiences as well.
Now of course we are maybe jaded by all this information. It may make us angry and frustrated and if should make us feel sick, but I think we have become almost accustomed to being lied to and cover ups are something we know is happening more often than not.
This type of book might have you sitting up at night, not afraid of anything supernatural, but of things we have no control over from our very own government. Things haven't changed since TWA flight 800 crashed. The government still panics and tries to sell the public a load of you know what. In fact, it's almost like they just don't know how to do it any other way. It's all about covering their butt.
An interesting read, very well researched and very thought provoking and chilling.
I give this one an A.
August 20, 2016
Good Topic, Awful Writing
I knew next to nothing about the TWA 800 conspiracy theory before reading this. Having read it (and googled a bit), I think it's one of the most easily believable theories in existence. The U.S. Navy tested a missile system off the coast of Long Island, it went terribly wrong and brought down a civilian plane, and this being a tragic mistake during an election year, the government covered it up. It was 100% wrong of the federal government to commit the cover-up, but perfectly believable that it did so (the word "duh" comes to mind); all of the evidence screams "U.S. missile." So as far as the basic premise of this book is concerned, I am in agreement. My problem with this book is the appalling writing and organization. What happened to having an editor?
I knew nothing of this story before picking up this book. When the author started off by describing his wife's arrest, I had to google it to know what he was talking about. This theme continued throughout the book--evidence presented in no particular order, forcing me to look at outside sources.
Sanders also has the unfortunate habit of going on rants against certain people. I get it--Sotomayor was part of the legal process which led to the criminal conviction of Mrs. Sanders, so she's not the author's favorite person. He rails against Sotomayor with the same venom he has for the TWA 800 "criminal cabal," despite presenting zero evidence against her; this has the effect of making him appear less right than angry. This book reads like an angry blog post.
I could go on, but my review is becoming as confusing as this book. If you already know a lot about this story, you will probably like this book for its detail and supplemental charts and documents. But if you aren't familiar with the crash and Sanders' involvement in the investigation, you'll likely be as lost as I was.
The moral of the story: if you want readers to take you seriously, hire an objective editor to organize your writing and arguments. Leave critiques of your personal situation out of the main story! This should go without saying, but when you throw accusations at a (now) well-respected U.S. Supreme Court judge, with zero supporting evidence given, it makes your bigger argument look shaky by association. So...just don't. Save it for an appendix.
I knew next to nothing about the TWA 800 conspiracy theory before reading this. Having read it (and googled a bit), I think it's one of the most easily believable theories in existence. The U.S. Navy tested a missile system off the coast of Long Island, it went terribly wrong and brought down a civilian plane, and this being a tragic mistake during an election year, the government covered it up. It was 100% wrong of the federal government to commit the cover-up, but perfectly believable that it did so (the word "duh" comes to mind); all of the evidence screams "U.S. missile." So as far as the basic premise of this book is concerned, I am in agreement. My problem with this book is the appalling writing and organization. What happened to having an editor?
I knew nothing of this story before picking up this book. When the author started off by describing his wife's arrest, I had to google it to know what he was talking about. This theme continued throughout the book--evidence presented in no particular order, forcing me to look at outside sources.
Sanders also has the unfortunate habit of going on rants against certain people. I get it--Sotomayor was part of the legal process which led to the criminal conviction of Mrs. Sanders, so she's not the author's favorite person. He rails against Sotomayor with the same venom he has for the TWA 800 "criminal cabal," despite presenting zero evidence against her; this has the effect of making him appear less right than angry. This book reads like an angry blog post.
I could go on, but my review is becoming as confusing as this book. If you already know a lot about this story, you will probably like this book for its detail and supplemental charts and documents. But if you aren't familiar with the crash and Sanders' involvement in the investigation, you'll likely be as lost as I was.
The moral of the story: if you want readers to take you seriously, hire an objective editor to organize your writing and arguments. Leave critiques of your personal situation out of the main story! This should go without saying, but when you throw accusations at a (now) well-respected U.S. Supreme Court judge, with zero supporting evidence given, it makes your bigger argument look shaky by association. So...just don't. Save it for an appendix.
July 7, 2024
I remember when this happened. And I remember a bunch of the various theories bouncing around the TV news channels, but I never got too caught up in it and it all passed out of my conscious thoughts. The last I remember thinking about it was it seemed like they had narrowed it down to vapors in the center wing tank igniting.
But after the last four years of various conspiracy theories turning out to be true, and the book being on sale, I figured I'd grab it. I think Sanders makes a very convincing case that TWA 800 was accidentally shot down by the US Navy. The biggest factor in my view wasn't the physical evidence, or lack thereof, but rather the extreme prejudice the government exhibited in attacking anyone who advocated for the missile theory. If there is nothing to hide, there's no reason to go after the radar tapes or the chemical analysis reports after saying for months that there's no evidence on those things of a missile. And going after reporters about a theory you don't like with criminal charges is a little over the top.
There were several photos throughout the book, but they didn't scale well in the eBook and all could have used better resolution. I'd also have liked a little more information regarding the criminal cases brought against the Sanders' and anyone else.
The eBook was formatted well, with only a couple of obvious spelling/grammar mistakes, more than likely due to OCR not being proofread quite finely enough. Better resolution on photos would have also been nice.
But after the last four years of various conspiracy theories turning out to be true, and the book being on sale, I figured I'd grab it. I think Sanders makes a very convincing case that TWA 800 was accidentally shot down by the US Navy. The biggest factor in my view wasn't the physical evidence, or lack thereof, but rather the extreme prejudice the government exhibited in attacking anyone who advocated for the missile theory. If there is nothing to hide, there's no reason to go after the radar tapes or the chemical analysis reports after saying for months that there's no evidence on those things of a missile. And going after reporters about a theory you don't like with criminal charges is a little over the top.
There were several photos throughout the book, but they didn't scale well in the eBook and all could have used better resolution. I'd also have liked a little more information regarding the criminal cases brought against the Sanders' and anyone else.
The eBook was formatted well, with only a couple of obvious spelling/grammar mistakes, more than likely due to OCR not being proofread quite finely enough. Better resolution on photos would have also been nice.
May 12, 2018
Could've been so much better with a decent editor. Photo quality not great as an ebook, better off reading the physical copy. Full review to come.
April 30, 2019
I can’t believe this only has 3.5 stars. A lot of work went into this book to uncover all the lies and give solid proof of what happened with little time to do it. Here on Long Island it’s common knowledge that it was covered up due to the number of people who saw the missile with their own eyes, know someone who saw it or was told by a third party. I’m not sure if it is common knowledge for the rest of the country, but despite knowing this the details are just mind blowing. And to those who believe everything the government and media feed them, if this doesn’t open your eyes then nothing will.
October 10, 2017
A TRUE HORROR STORY
This aircraft went down over twenty years ago and it's tragedy has become almost a legend. The details are thorough. I appreciate all the gruelling work Mr. Sanders did because he is personally involved. The read is not user friendly; it is not for entertainment but for disclosing truth. If you are interested in cold facts about this tragedy, this book will supply them.
This aircraft went down over twenty years ago and it's tragedy has become almost a legend. The details are thorough. I appreciate all the gruelling work Mr. Sanders did because he is personally involved. The read is not user friendly; it is not for entertainment but for disclosing truth. If you are interested in cold facts about this tragedy, this book will supply them.
August 29, 2020
Sad
Hard to believe 24 years later and we still don't know the truth . You would like to believe our government was telling the truth but how can you dismiss all the eye witness accounts of what they saw. As far as I'm concerned the eye witnesses know what they saw and not what investigators said they saw
Hard to believe 24 years later and we still don't know the truth . You would like to believe our government was telling the truth but how can you dismiss all the eye witness accounts of what they saw. As far as I'm concerned the eye witnesses know what they saw and not what investigators said they saw
August 23, 2017
TWA Flight 800
Government BS at its finest. Never once had anybody cared about souls lost. Great info and lots of it. I barely remember this accident I am sorry to say. The vertical writing sucked. Gave me headaches.
Government BS at its finest. Never once had anybody cared about souls lost. Great info and lots of it. I barely remember this accident I am sorry to say. The vertical writing sucked. Gave me headaches.
February 3, 2021
Well researched. When the Flight 800 tragedy occurred, everyone I knew believed it was a Naval exercise gone wrong and the government covered it up. This book details the evidence that proves it (to the extent that it can be proven) but sometimes the book's tone is a little dry.
August 12, 2017
Are governments playing Russian roulette with national security?
This is a very well written and comprehensive enlightenment that the powers to be making decisions can and do cost lives. All one has to do is read chapter 16 to recognize that our safety is at risk and flying the friendly skies is a crap shoot.
This is a very well written and comprehensive enlightenment that the powers to be making decisions can and do cost lives. All one has to do is read chapter 16 to recognize that our safety is at risk and flying the friendly skies is a crap shoot.
July 28, 2017
Never believe the government again!
Hey spellbinding book a real page turner. After reading this book no one will ever believe a single thing that comes out of Washington again.
Hey spellbinding book a real page turner. After reading this book no one will ever believe a single thing that comes out of Washington again.
October 11, 2020
It was a bit dry but informative.
May 7, 2016
I remember the night this happened even though it was almost 20 years ago. I also remember there being some talk at the time about at least two of the passengers on the plane and the implications of their death.
October 17, 2010
This book very concisely outlines another government cover up. As a semi-retired airline pilot, this book really hits home. A must read for anyone working in the aviation establishment.
August 24, 2013
Well written and documented. Another proof that the government can't be trusted.
Want to read
April 24, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13094572
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13094572
May 7, 2015
Its been a while and started out extremely interesting and then just got repetatative and bogged down in tedious details.
July 5, 2017
This book did little to convince of a Government cover-up.
November 27, 2013
Not well written but the author makes a compelling case. The Navy took that plane down.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews