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xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Lisa Beamer, the widow of Todd Beamer, recounts her experiences on 9/11. Todd was on United Airlines Flight 93, flying for work. Unfortunately, that plane was hijacked by terrorists who had planned coordinated attacks on different points in the United States. Todd and other passengers were able to make some phone calls to loved ones before executing a plan of their own to attempt to thwart the hijackers. The plane was diverted towards Washington, D. C. by the terrorists, with the presumed target to be either the White House or the Capitol building. The actions of Todd and the other passengers caused the plane to crash into a Pennsylvania field, killing everyone on board. If the plane would have reached the target, they all would have died regardless, but so would many more people. The actions of the passengers surely saved a lot of lives. Lisa's thoughts about her husband and his fellow passengers on Flight 93 are very evident in this book, and her words are very encouraging and can be applied to anyone going through some type of loss.
I liked this book for several reasons. One of those is that I haven't read a lot about Flight 93. I have read plenty of things about the WTC flights, but not this one. I learned a lot of details in this book that I didn't know before. I also liked the personal side of this account. I generally read a lot of impersonal historical books, so I always enjoy a personal account.
I liked this book for several reasons. One of those is that I haven't read a lot about Flight 93. I have read plenty of things about the WTC flights, but not this one. I learned a lot of details in this book that I didn't know before. I also liked the personal side of this account. I generally read a lot of impersonal historical books, so I always enjoy a personal account.
bethgiven's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not certain why I wanted to read this book. I couldn’t watch the Discovery Channel’s program on United flight 93, the flight on 9-11 that went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I liked the idea of there being heroes on the flight — people who sacrificed their lives and thwarted part of the terrorists’ evil plans — but when I start thinking too hard, I realize that those heroes were ordinary people like me, with dreams and friends and families. I remember my feelings on September 11, 2001 — how much worse would it have been if it had been my loved one who had been caught in the wreckage? That documentary was causing me to think about it too much, so I turned it off, with no desire to try watching again.
Maybe that’s what possessed me to pick up this book from the library — I wasn’t thinking too much. I was trying to scan through the 973’s while simultaneously keeping an eye on a toddler who wanted to run through the aisles and hide from me. When I pulled it off the shelf, I didn’t have time to consider if I really wanted to check it out.
But later, as I cracked the book and began reading Lisa Beamer’s story, I started wondering. I wanted to read an uplifting book. Was this really it?
I made it through the first, short chapter, and the topic turned from the events of 9-11 to a biography of Todd’s childhood. It intrigued me that he had grown up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois — it’s not far from where I now live. Though he had moved from Chicagoland in the 90s and I hadn’t arrived until recently, I was intrigued.
Lisa then went on to share experiences from her childhood, including the premature death of her father. Her grieving was private but deep — she questioned God and why he had allowed such a thing to happen. Slowly, though, her testimony was strengthened — something she’d rely on for the rest of her life, something that would carry her through her hardest trials. I wasn’t too far into the book when I realized that Lisa really “got it”:
"Slowly I began to understand that the plans God has for us don’t just include “good” things, but the whole array of human events … I remember my mom saying that many people look for miracles — things that in their human minds “fix” a difficult situation. Many miracles, however, are not a change to the normal course of human events; they’re found in God’s ability and desire to sustain and nurture people through even the worst situations. Somewhere along the way, I stopped demanding that God fix the problems in my life and started to be thankful for his presence as I endured them." (p. 68)
Those powerful words reminded me of a favorite quote from Elder Maxwell:
Therefore, true enduring represents not merely the passage of time, but the passage of the soul. (Neal A. Maxwell, “Endure It Well”, Ensign, May 1990, 33)
This book is not about heartbreak or heartache; it’s not even a tribute to a great American hero (though Todd’s actions were certainly heroic). It’s about how faith in God can carry you through times of sorrow and despair. There were parts of the book that were sad to read (after finishing up the chapters on the actual crash, I was getting really nervous about my own husband’s mortality), but Lisa’s reactions and her faith in God were truly inspiring.
So. An uplifting book, after all! Lisa Beamer has become one of my personal heroes.
Maybe that’s what possessed me to pick up this book from the library — I wasn’t thinking too much. I was trying to scan through the 973’s while simultaneously keeping an eye on a toddler who wanted to run through the aisles and hide from me. When I pulled it off the shelf, I didn’t have time to consider if I really wanted to check it out.
But later, as I cracked the book and began reading Lisa Beamer’s story, I started wondering. I wanted to read an uplifting book. Was this really it?
I made it through the first, short chapter, and the topic turned from the events of 9-11 to a biography of Todd’s childhood. It intrigued me that he had grown up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois — it’s not far from where I now live. Though he had moved from Chicagoland in the 90s and I hadn’t arrived until recently, I was intrigued.
Lisa then went on to share experiences from her childhood, including the premature death of her father. Her grieving was private but deep — she questioned God and why he had allowed such a thing to happen. Slowly, though, her testimony was strengthened — something she’d rely on for the rest of her life, something that would carry her through her hardest trials. I wasn’t too far into the book when I realized that Lisa really “got it”:
"Slowly I began to understand that the plans God has for us don’t just include “good” things, but the whole array of human events … I remember my mom saying that many people look for miracles — things that in their human minds “fix” a difficult situation. Many miracles, however, are not a change to the normal course of human events; they’re found in God’s ability and desire to sustain and nurture people through even the worst situations. Somewhere along the way, I stopped demanding that God fix the problems in my life and started to be thankful for his presence as I endured them." (p. 68)
Those powerful words reminded me of a favorite quote from Elder Maxwell:
Therefore, true enduring represents not merely the passage of time, but the passage of the soul. (Neal A. Maxwell, “Endure It Well”, Ensign, May 1990, 33)
This book is not about heartbreak or heartache; it’s not even a tribute to a great American hero (though Todd’s actions were certainly heroic). It’s about how faith in God can carry you through times of sorrow and despair. There were parts of the book that were sad to read (after finishing up the chapters on the actual crash, I was getting really nervous about my own husband’s mortality), but Lisa’s reactions and her faith in God were truly inspiring.
So. An uplifting book, after all! Lisa Beamer has become one of my personal heroes.
amyma's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I remember hearing about Todd Beamer after 9/11 and definitely his line "let's roll". It was interesting learning more about one of the victim's of 9/11. I'd recommend this book!
ajm07's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
farmlady1's review against another edition
4.0
Was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. A real affirmation of faith and very encouraging for anyone who has struggled with dark times in their life.
chardmc1's review against another edition
2.0
This book was recommended to me and I’m sure to a different audience this book would be great. Just not the perfect book for me
spope1527's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of this book was just telling the story of this family’s ordinary life. It’s like I could have written it. The thoughts and every day happenings of the author and her family are the same that millions of people experience daily. If you’ve ever experienced something big and tragic, you know what it feels like to step out of your real life and into something painful and surreal. The second half of the book told specifically about the happenings around the 9-11 attack. I cried through most of that but loved found her strength and hope in Jesus.
reviewsbylola's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
littlemsstephanie's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book. It gives a great inside view on what really happened on 9/11. It had me in tears, and parts of it made me laugh. Great book, a must read for everyone!