The True Story Behind the Events on 9/11 that Inspired Broadway’s Smash Hit Musical Come from Away, Featuring All New Material from the Author
When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The … swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.
As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email, and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news.
Over the course of those four days, many of the passengers developed friendships with Gander residents that they expect to last a lifetime. As a show of thanks, scholarship funds for the children of Gander have been formed and donations have been made to provide new computers for the schools. This book recounts the inspiring story of the residents of Gander, Canada, whose acts of kindness have touched the lives of thousands of people and been an example of humanity and goodwill.
more
I needed this. The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede tells the story of how a town of 10,000 Canadians rallied around more than 6000 strangers whose flights were redirected to their town when airspace closed over America on Sept. 11, 2001. This is the true story of neighbors being neighborly, going above and …
Quick read of small stories that you can take on a plane or Dr office that will warm your heart. It’s about the basic decency and goodness of people on the tragic day of 9/11. It makes you feel good and gives you hope.
Loved this book! What an amazing story that will give you all the feels. We all remember where we were on 9/11 and it’s amazing to hear the stories of those whose flights were redirected to Newfoundland. This is one of those books that will inspire and encourage you.
I flew through this very quick. It’s only 269 pages, and I also did parts on audiobook. It was narrated by Ray Porter and he was fantastic!
On that horrific day in America, 9/11 2001… 38 planes were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland. They were bound for the US, and with the tragedies occurring, US airspace was shut down. The people of …
I loved this book. What the town did for the stranded passengers was no less than a miracle. Enjoyed learning about Newfoundland, a part of Canada I knew little about.
Puts into words why we love Canadians.
This is a wonderful account of the actions of the great people of Gander New Foundland. It is an incredible story and a very good book.
Everyone should ready this book.
When 9/11 occurred, 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander Newfoundland due to closure of airspace.This is a relatively small community that were called upon to care for thousands of distraught passengers as well as animals on board.This community jumped on board. A teacher helped shelter passengers at her school. …
This is one of the most inspirational books. The people of Gander Ne w Foundland opened up their hearts and homes to the people stuck on planes on 9/11. It’s one of the best reads.
An unusual tale about 9/11, a view you don’t often see. The tale was told from several different characters giving complete stories and so much information. It was interesting to see how different characters were feeling and learn about the heroic efforts the town, and surrounding towns, made to house the displaced persons.
I really liked this book. I had heard the planes had landed in Canada but did not know there were so many. The people of the town jumped into action, coordinated everything so incredibly well that you would have thought they did this type of thing every day.
Something most people don’t think of. All these planes stranded. How a thinly populated and large area of small towns stepped in to help many stranded passengers, that were frightened, and tired during an unforgettable time in history. The back stories of the passengers were interesting. The way these people in Newfoundland met their needs was …
I have read this book many times, so uplifting! Also have give it as gifts to many friends.
This is the true story of the people in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada and the passengers on the thirty-eight airplanes whose flight plans were diverted to Gander due to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. It was a page-turner because it was all true — there are the back stories of passengers and townspeople whose lives were changed on that …
Inspiring! An interesting look at how the day of 9/11 affected these Canadian communities in Newfoundland. I aspire to be like these people in the face of crisis. I would love to read follow-ups about some of them at nearly 20 years after the fact.
Inspiring account of the effects of 9/11 on Gander, Newfoundland and surrounding towns that selflessly took in stranded airline passengers when U.S. airspace was closed. Over the course of several days, strangers built lasting friendships. A warm reminder of the goodness in the world.
Unusual perspective on 9-11 tragedy and how it impacted travelers that day. It was endearing to read about the townspeople and their many ways of rising to the occasion.
I learned a lot about 911 while reading this book. The people in Gander were wonderful and so welcoming to the airplanes that were stranded. It was great to hear some real stories about a tough time in our history.
Interesting read