24 Hours inside the President's Bunker: 9-11-01: The White House

by Robert J. Darling

After Maj. Robert J. Darling organizes President Bush's trip to Florida on Sept. 10, 2001, he believes the next couple of days will be quiet. He has no idea that a war is about to begin. The next day, after terrorists crash airliners into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, Maj. Darling rushes to the president's underground chamber at the White House. There, he takes on the task of liaison between the vice president, national security advisor and the Pentagon. He works directly with the National Command Authority, and he's in the room when Vice President Cheney orders two fighter jets to get airborne in order to shoot down United Flight 93. Throughout the attacks, Maj. Darling witnesses the unprecedented actions that leaders are taking to defend America. As Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and others make decisions at a lightning pace with little or no deliberation, he's there to lend his support. Follow Darling's story as he becomes a Marine Corps aviator and rises through the ranks to play an incredible role in responding to a crisis that changed the world in 9-11-01: The White Twenty-Four Hours inside the President's Bunker.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

184 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2010

About the author

Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in September 2007 after more than twenty years of service. He has delivered numerous presentations, including a guest lecture on counterterrorism at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He is a vice president with Zenetex, LLC, an information technology company, and lives in Stafford, Virginia.

Reviews

[Kirstin Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the kind of book I typically read. A super fast read and interesting perspective from Col. Darling. The first 40 pages were a bit boring but the last 70 flew by.

[John Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to get around to reading this book. Major Darling, or who is known to me and my siblings as Uncle Bob, played a tremendous role on September 11th, 2001. I've done plenty of research on the events of 9/11 and even though I was only in 2nd grade when the attacks occurred, I learned a ton from this book. Before jumping into the main purpose of the book, Major Darling gives a brief overview of the events leading up to him becoming a Marine. I commend him for taking such a big step and joining our nation's military. It's amazing how one small decision led to him being in the White House bunker in arguably the darkest day in America's history.

If anyone is looking for a real, breathtaking account of the events that took place on September 11th, 2001, straight from the mouth of a serviceman who was right in the middle of the intense action, then this is the book to read. Even though its been sixteen years since that horrible day, I believe it's important that we always remember that America is a target. Other parts of the world do not have same luxuries and freedoms that we enjoy every day here in the United States. America has enemies and we cannot stop fighting them. We must also remember the sacrifices that others made to fight those enemies, such as the firefighters and police officers who died in New York City, as well as the innocent passengers on all four airplanes that crashed that day. The passengers of Flight 93 should especially be remembered since they fought to the last minute and gave their dying breaths to prevent further terror to our nation that day. They are the true heroes. The best way to honor their sacrifice is to keep fighting those who want to harm us and to more importantly, Never Forget that day.

[Translator Monkey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The egregious "24 Hours in the President's Bunker: 9-11-01 and the White House". With a title like this, you know it's gonna be a decent read - the guy was there, behind the scenes, and saw 24 hours worth of stuff we'll never be in on. Wrong. About 130 of the 150 pages of this book is about this guy's life - it's more autobiography than anything - and then we are treated to 15-20 pages of the bunker (which is very good, but c'mon), then a handful of weepy pages from his wife, who missed him the 24 hours he was missing on 9-11. Then a shit-ton of pictures of the author. Can't be bothered. This one's a yawn-fest. 1 out of 5 stars.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting~ a inside seat to an incredible time in history. Spoken in real heartfelt sentiments with details that one would rarely know- had me on the edge of my seat reliving a horrible tragic 24 hours but learning more about what went on behind the scenes- awesome!

[Jeremy Biermaier · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of someone who was near the President on 9/11.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is definitely an inside view of what was happening at the White House during 9/11. This is a quick read book and I enjoyed it.

[John McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

No surprises, but a well told account of the day we’ll never forget

You won’t learn anything new about the events that occurred on 9/11, still this was a quick, well written account from an insiders perspective.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘After Maj. Robert J. Darling organizes President Bush’s trip to Florida on Sept. 10, 2001, he believes the next couple of days will be quiet. He has no idea that a war is about to begin. The next day, after terrorists crash airliners into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, Maj. Darling rushes to the president’s underground chamber at the White House. There, he takes on the task of liaison between the vice president, national security advisor and the Pentagon. He works directly with the National Command Authority, and he’s in the room when Vice President Cheney orders two fighter jets to get airborne in order to shoot down United Flight 93. Throughout the attacks, Maj. Darling witnesses the unprecedented actions that leaders are taking to defend America. As Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and others make decisions at a lightning pace with little or no deliberation, he’s there to lend his support. Follow Darling’s story as he becomes a Marine Corps aviator and rises through the ranks to play an incredible role in responding to a crisis that changed the world in 9-11-01: The White House: Twenty-Four Hours inside the President’s Bunker.‘
This book was amazing.
There are so many different stories about 9/11 and how the day was experienced by different people, but this is the only one I have seen that covers what was happening at the top of the American Government.
Seeing how such a historic event was handled by those in charge of America was completely fascinating. Given how horrific the events of 9/11 were, seeing people experience those events while trying to organize a response and figure out what else could be coming and how to protect the country made for a truly compelling reading experience.
Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling did a magnificent job capturing the facts of what was occurring as well as the emotions of the day. I have read this book many times yet each time I read it I learn or feel something new. This book could have been over-emotional or too fact-heavy but the way Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling informs and teaches readers without overwhelming them with facts, while also allowing the emotional toll and the humanity to show through makes this book one that the reader won’t forget in a long time.
24 Hours Inside the President’s Bunker: 9-11-01: The White House by Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling USMC is a must-read for everyone.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Serri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lt. Col Darling's account of the 24 hours he spent with Vice President Cheney and Condoleezza Rice on 9/11 inside the President's bunker is interesting and engaging -- certainly worth your time if you enjoy continuing to learn more about this day's events. It provides another account of 9/11 that is interesting to add to the information you already know. The reason I gave it 3 starts rather than 4 is that the beginning and end of the book that recounts how he became a Marine officer and his wife's memory of that day are less compelling. If you pick this book up, plan to move quickly through the beginning and end but enjoy the central part of the story.

[P.G. Sundling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but detailed info

I read this book as research for my upcoming novel, The Internet President: None of the Above. It gave me all the details I needed on the White House Bunker aka peoc and I picked up some good details on the coordination of government during a crisis. While the peoc/bunker has been featured in films/TV, I also wanted some reality background and this book delivered. I also enjoyed the backstory in Major Darling.

[Bobd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know what really happened on 9/11/01 at the highest levels of our government, this is a must read. This book describes the near shoot down of flight 93, moving our military to DEFCON 3, the phone call from Russian President Putin and the moment President Bush took us to war. You won't be able to put it down.

[Paul Kratochwill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mediocre book at beast. While the author was at a critical place in the history of the country, I felt that he glossed over details. I cannot recommend this book to any student of history. This is a C+ to B- book.

[Vizma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the story! Reading it was like being a fly on the wall during one of the most intense days in recent US history. I did have to stop along the way in order to wrap my mind around what the country's leaders were doing while I was watching the events of the day unfold on TV.

[Paul Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read of a first person account of what it was like at the White House on 9/11. Recommended!

[Christopher Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible insider story

This is book gives an incredible insider account of what happened in the White House on 9/11. Very interesting story.

[mary copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best & most informative book on 9/11

That I've read yet. Semper Fi, LTC Darling. A day in history, well chronicled. Thank you for sharing your your experiences with us.

[Matt Heavner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. A unique perspective and a very interesting look at 9/11 and WH/EOP on that day.

[Matt Laduke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Gave me many details I never heard. What a stressful day it was.