A special historical look back on the 10th anniversary of 9/11
The personal interviews reported in 'WTC: In Their Own Words,' give the most complete understanding of what actually occurred in the two towers and the exposed buildings on September 11, 2001, than has previously been reported.
The individual and collective actions of FDNY members and their fire companies resulted in the saving of many citizens, at the cost of the lives of 343 members and numerous career ending disabilities to many others.
The actions of the off duty members who reported, prior to the recall, out of dedication to the department and the community is also most admirable and noteworthy, in the highest traditions of the fire service.
This a great historical reference book — should be in libraries and on everybody's bookshelf.
WTC: In Their Own Words is just that - interviews of the firefighters who responded and operated at the WTC. Chief Harvey Eisner has skillfully gathered and assembled these stories together in a way that results in the most complete description ever recorded of what actually occurred on 9-11. That story has never been before told in the way he has crafted.
I had to read the book in stages. I simply am challenged to imagine monsters flying commercial airplanes into two huge office buildings completely filled with human beings or the professional work and personal courage of the FDNY firefighters. I had to recalibrate my imagination to get through the whole book. For most firefighters: take the most difficult fire you have ever fought and multiply it by 1000 - now you have the WTC incident. For that reason you must read the personal stories in this book to somehow expand your frame of reference to understand the largest and awfulest event that could possibly occur and actually did occur.
The stories also provide an excellent description of the amazing skill and incredible capability FDNY. The performance of their department on 9-11 clearly shows they are not only a large and powerful organization, but they are also the most capable and skillful operational fire department commanded by the most experienced and competent chief officers on this planet. On 9-11 they proved in a way no one ever has before that the collective soul of their members is very deep, durable and loyal.
Thank you so much for the advanced, autographed copy of the WTC: In Their Own Words book. It is indeed my privilege to have this opportunity to preview this wonderful collection of stories from those who endured this tragedy first hand. This is a powerful and truly fabulous book and one which I will treasure in my own library.
Please accept the following heartfelt reviews about the book as I hope they can be of use to you and your magazine;
We who witnessed this brutal attack will never forget, should never forget, this cowardly attack on America.but for those too young or not yet born, WTC: In Their Own Words serves as a kind of Band of Brothers account of the dedication, the pain, the suffering and the heroics of 9/11. As one reads this book, these personal accounts of those Firefighters on the scene, you can't help but feel the emotions as the words and photographs reach off the page and draw the reader into the dust covered streets of Lower Manhattan. In Their Own Words provides a remarkably complete historical account of the region, of the World Trade Center complex, of the FDNY and of the horrible tragedy of that fateful day 10 years ago. My personal thanks go out to each Firefighter who contributed to this book, not only for their brave and selfless service during this attack, but for opening their hearts and minds and sharing their inner most feelings so that all Americans, all people, will never forget.
Every firefighter, past, present and future, should read this book. In Their Own Words brought me back to Rescue 2 in the days after 9/11, drinking coffee at the kitchen table, listening, as the fellas shared their thoughts and emotions of that horrible day, and of the painful loss of so many dear friends. In Their Own Words is a remarkable, first-hand account of the greatest rescue effort and most tragic day, in American Fire Service history. This book brings you into the events of that day in the same way that We Were Soldiers Once and Young brought the reader into the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam. The words spoken in these interviews like; "dead silence", "the buildings gone", "get me out of here" and "whoever was there is dead" are painful reminders of this horrible and cowardly attack on America.but words that we all need to hear and remember. This book is a fitting and respectful tribute to the courage of 343 fallen Brothers, and to the courage of those men who lived.
Thank you again, for allowing me the honor and privilege of reviewing this wonderful account of the events of 9/11. Be safe.
I did receive the copy of the WTC book about three weeks ago. WOW, what a book! I'm only 1/2 way through it mostly because of time demands with what is going on in our Dept, overall just a very busy time with a lot going on,But I must admit that at times I just had to put the book down and take it all in. What incredible stories and experiences, and outstanding acts of courage and bravery. This book adds a whole new dimension of what took place that day and the days and months to follow.Being that I worked in the 1st Battalion for 6 years,it's amazing to hear how the downtown Chiefs handled the situation. Not only is this a must read by every firefighter in America, but EVERY AMERICAN ! WE WILL NEVER FORGET, and May God Bless America And our Brothers in the FDNY, and their families who live with these memories everyday.
I just got back from vacation and was able to finish the book while I was there. I watched the DVD yesterday. What a tremendous job. The detail in the testimonials is exceptional. I especially enjoyed reading the ones from the people I know personally. Even though I've spoken with them several times about 9/11, never have they shared as much with me as they said in your book. The DVD captures the story like nothing else could. It's quite a compliment to the book. Much of the footing you used I had never seen before. Thank you again for sharing this wonderful work with me and for taking the time to tell these many stories on behalf of FDNY and the entire fire service.
I have just about finished this book...the stories are incredible and most of the photos have never been published before...Harvey did an outstanding job, I don't know how he found all these people....firefighter or just American citizen you should read this book as we must never forget.
A book worth owning ... Harvey Eisner has put together what may be the finest compilation that is available.
