“102 Minutes does for the September 11 catastrophe what Walter Lord did for the Titanic in his masterpiece, A Night to Remember . . . Searing, poignant, and utterly compelling.” Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of An Army at DawnHailed upon its hardcover publication as an instant classic, the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller 102 Minutes is now available in a revised … 102 Minutes is now available in a revised edition timed to honor the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
At 8:46 a.m. that morning, fourteen thouosand people were inside the World Trade Center just starting their workdays, but over the next 102 minutes, each would become part of a drama for the ages. Of the millions of words written about this wrenching day, most were told from the outside looking in. New York Times reporters Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn draw on hundreds of interviews with rescuers and survivors, thousands of pages of oral histories, and countless phone, e-mail, and emergency radio transcripts to tell the story of September 11 from the inside looking out.
Dwyer and Flynn have woven an epic and unforgettable account of the struggle, determination, and grace of the ordinary men and women who made 102 minutes count as never before.
102 Minutes is a 2005 National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction.
”more
This chronicle of the 9/11 disaster is the most descriptive of the several books I have read. The detail with regard to the building structure and collapse is amazing and understandable. The heroic actions, so explicit, of many many people saved thousands, yet they lost their own lives. I am glad I read this book because I don’t want this attack on U.S. soil to be only a faint memory in history.
102 Minutes does for the September 11 catastrophe what Walter Lord did for the Titanic in his masterpiece, A Night to Remember… Searing, poignant, and utterly compelling.
Learned important things about the WTC and 9/11, i.e, building code revisions that minimized exits to have more rentable space. Knew about some of the people (from 911 shows), but seeing it again was not boring — even a slightly different slant on these heroes.
I feel like I got to know the actual people involved in 9-11 and it brought the tragedy home to my heart. It was so interesting to read “behind the scenes” information which only made it more tragic, but real. It’s so easy to be across the country and watch on news………..turn the tv off and soon forget about it…………..what all the people involved including loved ones were going through is included here and made me feel like I was part of that time frame. I will never think about this tragedy the same. All should read this book.
Very well written and informative.
A great read about what took place in both the North and South towers on 9/11. When the North Tower was hit on 8:46 AM that day, many of those in both towers were unaware of what had happened. Most thought it was a bomb since the Trade Center Towers were the target of a bombing in the early 90s that resulted in both buildings being evacuated.
The authors tracked down hundreds of individuals who were in the buildings that fateful morning to talk to them about their experiences, and they speak to the widows and widowers of those who did not make it about the final conversations they had with their loved ones. About the fear in their voices as they recognized the buildings were going up in flames and there was no way out.
The book discusses the confusion that day in the second tower to be hit, the South Tower. When the North Tower was hit, many in the other building decided to evacuate only to be told that they were not in danger and should return to their offices. Many did, and many of them died as a result.
The authors talk about how occupants of the buildings walked down 900 stairs to safety since most of the elevators were inoperable. And the fact that there were dozens upon dozens who were trapped in stuck elevators with no way of alerting anyone of their predicament.
Very good, also gives you an insight of what happened on that horrific day.
This was a very interesting book .
I have read other 9/11 books by different authors. This was a look back at what should have happened but due to tragic circumstances, oversites, and surprisingly how unprepared NYC Police, fire officials, and Port authority were to be able to handle this horrendous tragedy. I think 102 minutes should be a required read for all high school students. It is a raw no holes barred story of how civilians were left on their own to literally survive or perish. Many of the true civilian heroes perished saving many others along the way. Common sense was a huge necessity that unfortunately was scarce among the officials in charge simply because the communications between police, FDNY and port authority were not in place.
One of the best 9-11 accounts. Personal, heroic. Every American should read it. Should be required reading for every American. Unforgettable and derply moving.
Amazing, absorbing
Excellent book.
This book, while I knew it would be painful and very hard to read, was so very worth reading, though I’m reading it many years later. The bravery of so many, helping each other, the confusion, the fear, the problems with communication. I highly recommend reading it.
I’m presently in the middle of the book, which I have found to be difficult beyond words. I watched the events in the Towers as they occurred, as I got dressed to go to downtown Chicago to work. It was a sickening event then, and remains so today.
Reading the first 10 or 15 pages convinced me that I will have to finish this book, even though it makes me ill to read of the heroic necessities of the events of that day. As I say, I’m half way through, and have to put it down periodically to catch my breath and to restore my resolve to complete it.
It was interesting to see what the survivors went through and to obtain some information that was not really addressed in the press
Absolutely gripping and terrifying and haunting and informative and researched
This book is well written. Fast paced but not hyped. Despite the tragic nature of the story, it gives one hope because of the courage, self sacrifice and care people showed to each other in the face of the disaster. Incredible detail. How did they put it all together?
The best book I’ve read about 9/11 — and I’ve read a lot.