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November 2019: American History
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The Only Plane in the Sky--Garrett Graff--5 stars are not enough
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This book was mentioned by Anita, I believe she is reading it this month too. I just finished Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 in September, so I am not ready for this one. But I can tell you that it will make my top 10 for this year.If you would like another excellent book on 9/11, I highly recommend it.I will add this one to my shelf, but I know I probably won't pick it up
until next September. Very nice review.
Excellent review. I have just added this to my TBR. I probably won't get to it right away, but am putting it on the short list for books to read in 2020. Reading books about 9/11 is very difficult, and I wasn't anywhere near NYC when it occurred nor do I know anyone who was there personally at the time. I do, however, remember exactly where I was and it is one of those things I will never forget.
Just the other day I was watching an old television show and it showed the NYC skyline with the Twin Towers. Every time, it is still a punch in the gut.
Shelly wrote: "The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 5 stars Some context--My experience of 9/11 was very NYC-centric. I work in midtown Manhattan. I live in the northe..."
This is an excellent review, and even though I'm only about 2/3rd done reading, I agree with everything you've said. I keep getting tears in my eyes which is not helping my reading speed. I am certain to give this one five stars.
Such a powerful review. I’m putting this on my TBR too though I know I’ll have to pick my time to read it
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 (other topics)Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 (other topics)
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 (other topics)
Some context--My experience of 9/11 was very NYC-centric. I work in midtown Manhattan. I live in the northern suburbs of NYC. On 9/11, for whatever reason, I was home. I was working at my computer when my friend called me to see if I was OK. When she realized I had no idea what was going on, she told me to turn on the TV. I saw the 2nd plane hit and I watched the Towers collapse. I had no friends or family that were directly impacted by the events of 9/11.
Over the next few days, NYC was a very difficult place to be. But my spirits were lifted by the stories of the survivors; people who went to work a little late or the young man who knew every staircase in the building because he would sneak out at lunchtime to go to the gym. These stories are in this book. But so are the stories of the people that didn't survive; especially the firefighters who kept climbing those stairs knowing they might not live through that day. And the people who survived quite miraculously, some with overwhelming guilt. Only a few were pulled from "the pile."
The book presents the oral histories of so many people from so many different perspectives. Yes the first responders, but also the passengers on those airplanes who made phone calls to their families; the military and government officials who had to make big decisions based on very little information; the F-16 pilots who had no weapons on their fighter jets and were prepared to ram a commercial airliner to take it down if they had to; the teachers in schools nearby the WTC and the Pentagon, with students with parents in those buildings; the first responders in Shanksville who were left with a giant crater and not a lot of airplane; and of course the President and his entourage aboard Air Force One, the only plane in the sky. President Bush kept demanding to be taken back to Washington and the Secret Service kept refusing.
There were many voices and perspectives that I was not even aware existed or had not folded into my own view of 9/11.
The book is very well done and very emotional. It is gut-wrenching, so much loss and despair. But it is also hopeful and uplifting with stories of survival, and selflessness. Collectively, all the oral histories make it very clear that everything changed on 9/11, for everyone.
It was hard enough to read this book. Despite many reviews by those who listened, I cannot imagine doing the audio version. I don't think I would have gotten through it.
This will be in my Top 10 for the year, probably my #1.