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Brace For Impact: Miracle on the Hudson. Survivors share their stories of near death and hope for new life.
What Passengers of Flight 1549 Want Others to Know About Second Chances
"Brace for impact." Three simple words that proclaimed to all 150 passengers on board US Airways Flight 1549 on that cold, crisp New York afternoon of January 15, 2009, that their plane was about to go down in the icy Hudson River. Three simple words that churned up their fear that the next two minutes would be their final moments on earth and spurred their most heartfelt, spontaneous prayers. We all know about the stunning tale of survival against all odds that followed.
But there is a different, more meaningful, and more timely story that has yet to be fully told. What happened to these passengers when they went home to their families, their homes, their jobs, and everything else familiar but somehow not the same? What has been the real impact, not of a disastrous crash but of a gift of a 'new' life? What can any of us learn from the honest and open sharing of ordinary people who came back from the brink of death?
Brace for Impact answers these questions and more by taking you inside the hearts, minds, and souls of twenty-five passengers and first responders and what life is like after near death.
"Brace for impact." Three simple words that proclaimed to all 150 passengers on board US Airways Flight 1549 on that cold, crisp New York afternoon of January 15, 2009, that their plane was about to go down in the icy Hudson River. Three simple words that churned up their fear that the next two minutes would be their final moments on earth and spurred their most heartfelt, spontaneous prayers. We all know about the stunning tale of survival against all odds that followed.
But there is a different, more meaningful, and more timely story that has yet to be fully told. What happened to these passengers when they went home to their families, their homes, their jobs, and everything else familiar but somehow not the same? What has been the real impact, not of a disastrous crash but of a gift of a 'new' life? What can any of us learn from the honest and open sharing of ordinary people who came back from the brink of death?
Brace for Impact answers these questions and more by taking you inside the hearts, minds, and souls of twenty-five passengers and first responders and what life is like after near death.
- GenresNonfiction
280 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 8, 2017
While I very much enjoyed the survivors stories, and even to a degree their advice and wisdom, I felt like the authors left far too much of themselves in this book and pushed their own agenda on the story. I wanted more from the survivors, and less from Dorothy and Kevin. Oh well.
The basic premise of this book is good, divided up into individual accounts. It makes for quick bursts of reading, which was how I approached this book. When I had enough of the author's wisdom, I put it down, did something else and came back later. Most of the actual writing and editing isn't bad either.
If this was more what the headline states (Stories of near death and hope for new life) from JUST the survivors it would be a better book. If there was less of how the authors came to meet with the survivors and just the survivors telling their side it would be better. Basically less of the author putting themselves in the story and more OF the story. Hmph.
Two stars.
The basic premise of this book is good, divided up into individual accounts. It makes for quick bursts of reading, which was how I approached this book. When I had enough of the author's wisdom, I put it down, did something else and came back later. Most of the actual writing and editing isn't bad either.
If this was more what the headline states (Stories of near death and hope for new life) from JUST the survivors it would be a better book. If there was less of how the authors came to meet with the survivors and just the survivors telling their side it would be better. Basically less of the author putting themselves in the story and more OF the story. Hmph.
Two stars.
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March 30, 2013This book wasn't quite what I expected. The individual stories are interesting. Part of the book was the author urgent the reader to take advantage of these experiences and encourage you to change your life based on these experiences. I found those portions of the book annoying.
June 26, 2010
I read this book, but I put the review under the book "Miracle on the Hudson: The Survivors of Flight 1549." I just discovered that they are separate books. I think I'm going to like the "Miracle on the Hudson" book a lot more. Be sure to watch for my review of that book as soon as I get my hands on it to read!!
This book was very interesting. I loved reading the experiences of the survivors, but it wasn't exactly what I expected. It was more of a self-help/inspirational book based on the experiences of a handful of survivors. I was curious to read the experiences but found myself skipping over a lot of the "extras" that the authors threw in there as their two cents. I would have prefered a different approach to the telling of the stories, but still enjoyable reading.
This book was very interesting. I loved reading the experiences of the survivors, but it wasn't exactly what I expected. It was more of a self-help/inspirational book based on the experiences of a handful of survivors. I was curious to read the experiences but found myself skipping over a lot of the "extras" that the authors threw in there as their two cents. I would have prefered a different approach to the telling of the stories, but still enjoyable reading.
January 19, 2010
Really opens your eyes to life and how things can change in an instant. An amazing read and to read all the stories from the passengers was great!
January 31, 2024
I agree with all the others reviews that say this wasn’t what they expected. The authors put way too much of themselves in this book. It’s one thing to write a page or two about how spending time with the survivors impacted the authors. There’s no need to comment on every story and make it about themselves. They should’ve stuck with stories just from the survivors.
September 8, 2017
Very inspirational.
March 22, 2020
I can’t finish this. It’s too fluffy. The stories about the crash and hearing the survivors speak always move me. This was very Chicken Soup for the Soulish.
July 24, 2010
Some inspiring interviews of survivors in their own words. Remarkable to learn how nearly all remembered that they felt "at peace" moments before they expected to die and how their thoughts were of surviving loved ones.
January 8, 2010
Okay, I suppose, for it's kind. Quick read, but...well, if you want to read a satisfying, edifying book on this event, skip this and read Langewiesche's "Fly By Wire."
September 3, 2010
Hard not to get emotionally involved in these stories from the people on Flight 1549.
January 17, 2014
Very interesting to read about the impact this miraculous event had on the variety of people interviewed. Captain Sully, you are a rock star!
January 8, 2015
Interesting but not what I expected. The stories were good.
May 31, 2010
Started out inspiring to read the survivor's stories but got old about half way through.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews