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mb1520's review against another edition
5.0
I was a day shy of my seventh birthday on September 11. I vaguely remember coming home from school and my mom sitting me down with the TV on in the background and trying to explain what had happened. I don’t remember how I felt at the time or even if I comprehended what was going on. I do remember seeing a picture of the Twin Towers in a textbook a couple of years later and immediately breaking down in tears.
I read [b: The Red Bandanna: A Life. A Choice. A Legacy. |29358561|The Red Bandanna A Life. A Choice. A Legacy.|Tom Rinaldi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460907932i/29358561._SY75_.jpg|48117900] a couple of years ago and craved to know more about that day, the people who survived, and those who didn’t. After researching books about 9/11, I decided 102 Minutes seemed like the most complete and comprehensive. I added it to my TBR list and moved on to other books.
I just finally got around to reading 102 Minutes. Even though I don’t remember much about that day almost 18 years ago, this book provided a detailed look at what was happening on the ground and in the towers. It was heartbreaking to read about the calls to 911 that would never be answered and infuriating to read about the lack of communication between the first responders. It was shocking reading the account of Stanley Praimnath - how he actually witnessed United 175 hit the tower, yet somehow survived the impact and made it out before the collapse. The amount of time, research, and detail that went into writing this book is unbelievable. I felt like I was at the towers, watching the morning unfurl.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants more information on exactly what was happening inside the Twin Towers on September 11. I also recommend The Red Bandanna as a follow-up. (102 Minutes mentions a man that found an accessible stairway on the 78th floor of the South Tower and helped lead people, including Ling Young, to safety before going back up to help others. That man was Welles Crowther, the subject of The Red Bandanna.)
I read [b: The Red Bandanna: A Life. A Choice. A Legacy. |29358561|The Red Bandanna A Life. A Choice. A Legacy.|Tom Rinaldi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460907932i/29358561._SY75_.jpg|48117900] a couple of years ago and craved to know more about that day, the people who survived, and those who didn’t. After researching books about 9/11, I decided 102 Minutes seemed like the most complete and comprehensive. I added it to my TBR list and moved on to other books.
I just finally got around to reading 102 Minutes. Even though I don’t remember much about that day almost 18 years ago, this book provided a detailed look at what was happening on the ground and in the towers. It was heartbreaking to read about the calls to 911 that would never be answered and infuriating to read about the lack of communication between the first responders. It was shocking reading the account of Stanley Praimnath - how he actually witnessed United 175 hit the tower, yet somehow survived the impact and made it out before the collapse. The amount of time, research, and detail that went into writing this book is unbelievable. I felt like I was at the towers, watching the morning unfurl.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants more information on exactly what was happening inside the Twin Towers on September 11. I also recommend The Red Bandanna as a follow-up. (102 Minutes mentions a man that found an accessible stairway on the 78th floor of the South Tower and helped lead people, including Ling Young, to safety before going back up to help others. That man was Welles Crowther, the subject of The Red Bandanna.)
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
This is a very heavy book. I had a hard time putting it down, despite knowing not everyone would have a "happy ending." Watching the events of that day unfold on television was nothing like what those inside the towers experienced. It was sad to learn that most of them had no idea what was really going on.
The authors of this book are journalists and that style is evident in the writing. They also repeat some statements at least two or three times, and go off on tangents about the building of the towers and other things when I just wanted to read the imminent narrative. But it was interesting to learn that what we heard on television wasn't necessary the way things really were. Though emotionally hard to read, I recommend this book.
The authors of this book are journalists and that style is evident in the writing. They also repeat some statements at least two or three times, and go off on tangents about the building of the towers and other things when I just wanted to read the imminent narrative. But it was interesting to learn that what we heard on television wasn't necessary the way things really were. Though emotionally hard to read, I recommend this book.
nderiley's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this book gave me the same sinking feeling I had the entire day of the attacks. But that's the feeling you should get reading a book like this. I loved the balance of the stories given, some with a happy ending, others without, some people shining while others bring out the bad side of human nature. Respectful, thoughtful, well written and well worth the read.
emerygirl's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted this book to be more about the fight to survive, like the title suggested. Instead, it was more of a commentary on the errors in the building structure. Sometimes I found myself wanting to say out loud to the authors "the bad guys are not the engineers and designers of the World Trade Centers, the bad guys were the terrorists who flew the planes into the buildings". Could the rescue operation have gone better? Yes. I wanted more of the individual stories, and I didn't get that. They tried...but the names were so confusing and kept jumping back and forth I couldn't keep anyone straight. I really wanted to like this book, but ended up not enjoying it much.
emmyjames's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
utalan's review against another edition
5.0
Ug. So good, so sad. Reading this on September 11 made that day a little more real. Highly recommend this.