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In My Seat
What does it feel like to have someone die in your place, not once, but twice? First Officer Steve Scheibner lived out that reality on September 11, 2001. Originally scheduled to be the First Officer on AA Flight 11, this biographical book outlines Steve's involvement and reaction to the terrorist hijacking of Flight 11. As well, this is the story of a man, prepared by God, to influence the world by his testimony of God's substitutionary atonement as pictured by the death of First Officer Tom McGuinness, as he filled the seat that should have been Steve's. Follow the mark of God's fingerprints as he prepared Steve, from the time he was a young boy until the present time, to be a messenger of God's gospel of salvation, through Jesus Christ. Readers will walk away from this book encouraged to live like a "Borrowed Time Believer," rather than a "Someday Saint."
183 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 14, 2018
This is a powerful book, but in my opinion extremely uneven. My opinion is probably based too much on prejudices I have that made this book frustrating.
First of all, the preface was incredibly powerful and gut-wrenching! However, the first half of the book itself was difficult. I am a Christian, but very flawed in my application of that faith. The Scheibner's on the other hand had me screaming "goody two-shoes, too perfect to be true". This is on me, as I have not made the effort to learn many of the lessons and good habits present in the Scheibner's family, despite the many good mentors I have enjoyed over the years.
What I took away from the second half of this story is that the Scheibner family are doing so many things in this world for God, and for the many, many people they have touched. I am deeply indebted to Megan for writing the book (first half included), to Steve for being the man he is, to Peter for taking on the movie project, and to the rest of the family for being guiding lights. Most of all I am greatful to God for putting this book in my hands and for sticking with me in my journey!
First of all, the preface was incredibly powerful and gut-wrenching! However, the first half of the book itself was difficult. I am a Christian, but very flawed in my application of that faith. The Scheibner's on the other hand had me screaming "goody two-shoes, too perfect to be true". This is on me, as I have not made the effort to learn many of the lessons and good habits present in the Scheibner's family, despite the many good mentors I have enjoyed over the years.
What I took away from the second half of this story is that the Scheibner family are doing so many things in this world for God, and for the many, many people they have touched. I am deeply indebted to Megan for writing the book (first half included), to Steve for being the man he is, to Peter for taking on the movie project, and to the rest of the family for being guiding lights. Most of all I am greatful to God for putting this book in my hands and for sticking with me in my journey!
September 16, 2012
I bought this book thinking it would be purely a 9/11 story. Ummmmm, no it isn't. The 9/11 events, and the author's husband, Steve Scheibner (a pilot for AA), is just the opening for a long discussion about their Christian faith, their denomination (Baptist), and other topics. While I *am* a Christian, and agree with nearly all they discuss in the book, it's not what I thought I was buying. There's a movie on YouTube (same title as this book), and that's what led me to the book.
August 27, 2018
This book isn't about the 9/11 events but more about this family's history, relationship with God, and how 9/11 has impacted them. I really like the study guide in the back of the book. Very thought provoking.
July 15, 2019
Just finished reading this aloud to our three daughters . I followed that up with showing them the film , In My Seat .
Throughout the book we've had amazing discussions . Focusing on Godly character in our lives is something I am very determined to add to our own family .
September 11th changed the world as we knew it . I was a young Mommy with a 9 month old , and had no idea that my days, now , would include praying fervently for that same boy , now a young man. I could totally identify with Peter , and I pray that our son would very quickly choose to return to the Lord , and live for Him each day .
Throughout the book we've had amazing discussions . Focusing on Godly character in our lives is something I am very determined to add to our own family .
September 11th changed the world as we knew it . I was a young Mommy with a 9 month old , and had no idea that my days, now , would include praying fervently for that same boy , now a young man. I could totally identify with Peter , and I pray that our son would very quickly choose to return to the Lord , and live for Him each day .
June 14, 2023
I enjoyed this short book however I expected it to be more about the events of how he was effected by 9/11 as a pilot instead it was really a book about the pilots life. I just think the book is titled wrong.
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February 21, 2024This book had very little to do with 9/11. The cover and title are very deceiving. I also felt like I was reading a resume of this man’s life/accomplishments according to his wife.
March 31, 2024
I thought the title was misleading. I was really looking forward to a story about a pilots view of 9/11 but it was quite the opposite.
July 2, 2025
I picked up this book, thinking it was another perspective of 9/11. But there's very little to do with that aspect. I appreciate the beginning and the heart-wrenching realization they experienced. But the rest of the book was more a story of their family and their work for the Lord. Still worth reading, but it wasn't a 5-star for me.
March 7, 2014
Poorly written, poorly edited and proofread, In My Seat: A Pilot's Story from September 10th-11th does not meet the expectations set up by its title or its categorizations. The title indicates a memoir focusing on one person's experiences the day immediately before and the day of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; however, after the introduction the book follows the lives of both Steve and Megan Scheiber from early days until the present state of their family in 2012. Classified as biography/inspirational/devotional, In My Seat does not succeed in any of those categories. As biography, it lacks effective narrative strategy and selection of detail. To be inspirational, it needs to focus in a clearer cause-and-effect manner on triumphs in Steve's life that come directly out of his not being killed on 9-11. As a devotional, it needs to focus more on specific topics individually and to avoid cliches and jargon.
I expected a memoir: what was Steve's life like, what was he doing on 9-10? What were his experiences, thoughts, and feelings on 9-11? (We get mostly Megan's.) What lifestyle changes came DIRECTLY as a result of 9-11? Instead of one chapter each, the first two questions are answered in the introduction. The third question could be developed in separate chapters for separate ministry and lifestyle changes. However, I do not see any DIRECT results from Steve's life being spared on 9-11. September 11th is mentioned only chronologically, coincidentally, not causally, in Chapter 7: "In October of 2001, shortly after the hijackings of September 11th, Steve was tasked to write a course for the Navy" (96).
From the introduction and from the afterword (written by Steve himself), I gather that his main ministry tool since 9-11 is the doctrine of substitutionary atonement as pictured by the pilot who flew AA 11 on 9-11 instead of Steve, therby giving his life for Steve's.In spite of the fact that Tom McGuinness was neither a willing sacrifice nor an effective one beyond losing his life in a place where Steve thought he would have been--kind of undercutting the doctrine substitutionary atonement--that is what the book should focus on: Steve's revelation regarding substitutionary atonement and his subsequent ministry and its effectiveness. Instead, we have chapters on such topics as "The Home Schooling Advantage"--a practice that has been part of the Scheibers' family life for years, not incorporated as a result of 9-11.
I expected a memoir: what was Steve's life like, what was he doing on 9-10? What were his experiences, thoughts, and feelings on 9-11? (We get mostly Megan's.) What lifestyle changes came DIRECTLY as a result of 9-11? Instead of one chapter each, the first two questions are answered in the introduction. The third question could be developed in separate chapters for separate ministry and lifestyle changes. However, I do not see any DIRECT results from Steve's life being spared on 9-11. September 11th is mentioned only chronologically, coincidentally, not causally, in Chapter 7: "In October of 2001, shortly after the hijackings of September 11th, Steve was tasked to write a course for the Navy" (96).
From the introduction and from the afterword (written by Steve himself), I gather that his main ministry tool since 9-11 is the doctrine of substitutionary atonement as pictured by the pilot who flew AA 11 on 9-11 instead of Steve, therby giving his life for Steve's.In spite of the fact that Tom McGuinness was neither a willing sacrifice nor an effective one beyond losing his life in a place where Steve thought he would have been--kind of undercutting the doctrine substitutionary atonement--that is what the book should focus on: Steve's revelation regarding substitutionary atonement and his subsequent ministry and its effectiveness. Instead, we have chapters on such topics as "The Home Schooling Advantage"--a practice that has been part of the Scheibers' family life for years, not incorporated as a result of 9-11.
September 13, 2016
Prologue: Reading this just a few days before the 15th anniversary of 9/11/01 when terrorists highjacked and flew two passenger planes into the World Trade Towers in New York City, brought back memories of horror, grief, confusion, fear—and made fresh the reality that 9/11 changed not only life in the US, but life around the world. Never again will we live with the sense of security and safety that we had experienced before that day.
And now the review--
Who of us doesn't remember where we were on September 11, 2001? While we've all read or heard stories of folks whose lives were saved because they chose to take a later flight or they had a last minute change in assignments--and as a result, we stand in amazement with them. Steve Scheibner has a story that has changed his life completely.
He went to bed on September 10, packed and ready to depart the next morning as pilot of American Airlines Flight 11. But by a most unusual substitution, Tom McGuinness received that assignment. That plane was the first to fly into the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Imagine how you would feel if you knew someone else filled your seat. Megan Scheibner tells what Steve experienced--and then goes on to share how their lives as a family have been impacted, how they have chosen to live intentionally to the glory of God. Homeschoolers, they have developed curriculum related to character building in the next generation. Steve calls himself a "Borrowed Time Believer."
"In My Seat," a video produced by the Scheibner's son Peter, went viral overnight. It is a powerful testimony!
And now the review--
Who of us doesn't remember where we were on September 11, 2001? While we've all read or heard stories of folks whose lives were saved because they chose to take a later flight or they had a last minute change in assignments--and as a result, we stand in amazement with them. Steve Scheibner has a story that has changed his life completely.
He went to bed on September 10, packed and ready to depart the next morning as pilot of American Airlines Flight 11. But by a most unusual substitution, Tom McGuinness received that assignment. That plane was the first to fly into the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Imagine how you would feel if you knew someone else filled your seat. Megan Scheibner tells what Steve experienced--and then goes on to share how their lives as a family have been impacted, how they have chosen to live intentionally to the glory of God. Homeschoolers, they have developed curriculum related to character building in the next generation. Steve calls himself a "Borrowed Time Believer."
"In My Seat," a video produced by the Scheibner's son Peter, went viral overnight. It is a powerful testimony!
December 19, 2013
I agree with many of the other reviewers on this book. Its a good book and pretty well written, but the cover and tagline are a little deceiving. While the beginning of the book (first couple chapters) goes into detail about the fact that Steve was supposed to be on one of the 911 flights and wasn't and how that has affected his and his families life, the majority of the book is just the story of his life. From birth, college, marriage, kids...their parenting strategy, their homeschooling strategy. Its all interesting to read, but the cover, title and tagline really lead you to believe that you are going to read a book that is entirely about his experience getting bumped from that flight on 911.
I have met both Steve and Megan and have taken their Parenting Matters workshop (which I really liked) and think they are great people with a great story and great intentions. I also think they are being used in a very mighty way by God. I would like to give this book more stars, but because its a little misleading, I've got to just stick with the three. I would still recommend it, just know that its mostly a life story, not specifically focused on his 911 experience.
I have met both Steve and Megan and have taken their Parenting Matters workshop (which I really liked) and think they are great people with a great story and great intentions. I also think they are being used in a very mighty way by God. I would like to give this book more stars, but because its a little misleading, I've got to just stick with the three. I would still recommend it, just know that its mostly a life story, not specifically focused on his 911 experience.
September 11, 2013
I want to start by recommending that you watch the youtube video, by the same title, created by Peter Scheibner. It is very powerful. As much as I would like to say that this was a wonderful book I can't. The title leads one to believe it is about the struggle to come to terms with the events of 9/11 and the pilot who was supposed to fly Flight 11. Unfortunately it was the memoir of Megan and Peter's lives before the events of 9/11 and after but very little during. I felt mislead. I think the book could have used some sound editing as well. That said, their lives have been a wonderful testament to God's faithfulness and will be for years to come.
November 1, 2013
Well I really wanted to like this one, but I couldn't get past the fact that it had little to do with the title. The story of the Scheibner's faith walk is at times interesting and at other times hard to stick with. I kept hoping it would get better but as I neared the end of the book I found myself feeling tricked into reading something under a false pretense. They seem like wonderful people and we share many of the same values, I just can't recommend a book that leads you to believe It's about something it's not.
July 20, 2013
From the cover and the introduction I thought that this was going to be a 9/11 story. In the beginning it was but the majority of the book was about the lives of the family and their faith in Christ. Towards the end I felt that the book turned into an advert for their website. Although I am a Christian and was quite happy to read about their faith, I felt that some of the content didn't really add much to the story.
I enjoyed the first bit of the book, the rest was just ok.
I enjoyed the first bit of the book, the rest was just ok.
February 16, 2015
A fine fine read. The flack that seems to be out there amongst other reviewers looks to be due to not digging a shade or two below the surface before investing in the book's purchase.
Rather, encourage others to read this book for what it is versus what a book cover / jacket lead one to think.
A lot of insight into a normal family's journey through about 30 years of growth in faith, friendships, & more.
Rather, encourage others to read this book for what it is versus what a book cover / jacket lead one to think.
A lot of insight into a normal family's journey through about 30 years of growth in faith, friendships, & more.
October 22, 2013
Great message about living for God, and raising children to live for God. But about 2/3 through the book I realized how much it was not about the subject I thought it was - his 9/11 story. Thought it would be more about that but would still definitely highly recommend it.
July 25, 2014
This is a quick read but a good story. It is the story of the pilot that was supposed to have flown the flight that crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11. This is a great story of their family's testimony through this and their entire life.
May 11, 2014
This book is a fairly easy read and I enjoyed read it.
May 26, 2014
I was a but disappointed in this book. I was expecting more about 9/11, and it was more a biography on their family. Still a good book, but not what I was hoping for.
July 21, 2014
:)
B/oring.
Thought this book had something to do with Sept.Wrong. It
is a story of beliefs and how these parent's raise their children.
B/oring.
Thought this book had something to do with Sept.Wrong. It
is a story of beliefs and how these parent's raise their children.
April 21, 2015
Meh. A great book if you want to know about Steve and his family. Really can't recommend this at all. Needs editing also.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews