Cassie H. (Irishcoda) reviewed 102 Minutes : The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers on + 88 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This was an emotional book to read not only because of the tales of courage and bravery but also because there were design flaws in the building that probably contributed to the deaths of more people. A very good read!
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed 102 Minutes : The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This was an absolutely amazing book. Not just because of the true-life accounts of many who survived (or, in many cases, didn't), but mostly because the authors pull no punches in telling the story of 9/11/01.
This isn't a book that bashes the government, both local and national, but it does tell both the good and the bad, the positive and the negative. While I was uplifted and encouraged by so many examples of human kindness, I was devastated to read that so very many deaths could have possibly been avoided, if there had just been better communication between political-minded departments.
Also, the fact that so many shortcuts were taken in building the World Trade Center, simply to create more rentable space, shows just how far people will go to make a buck. It saddens me that so many lives might have been saved if there were more staircases, if they had been spread out more, if they had had proper fireproofing.
If you're interested at all in the story that is 9/11, then this is a must-read.
This isn't a book that bashes the government, both local and national, but it does tell both the good and the bad, the positive and the negative. While I was uplifted and encouraged by so many examples of human kindness, I was devastated to read that so very many deaths could have possibly been avoided, if there had just been better communication between political-minded departments.
Also, the fact that so many shortcuts were taken in building the World Trade Center, simply to create more rentable space, shows just how far people will go to make a buck. It saddens me that so many lives might have been saved if there were more staircases, if they had been spread out more, if they had had proper fireproofing.
If you're interested at all in the story that is 9/11, then this is a must-read.
Ivy (PBSmaven) -
Helpful Score: 4
Although I know all too well the story of what happened on 9/11 this book 102 Minutes really puts it in perspective. The story takes you from beginning to end of the tragedy as well as the inside stories of a lot of the victim and survivors and their families. As you read this book you actually feel as if you're there with them all. I couldn't put this book down. I know most people know the story and have lived through the tragedy but to me this book is a must read for everyone.
Sherry G. (Shervivor) -
Helpful Score: 3
I am fascinated with 9/11 survivor stories so this book was right up my alley. The book describes what happened during the 102 minutes after the first plane hit the North Tower. I think the book also insinuates that more people could have survived if there hadn't been major communication breakdowns between the FDNY and the NYPD. I did not realize that these were dueling agencies with a lot of history of uncommunicative behavior. The book shares the stories of individuals that were inside the towers and made it to safety, devoting a lot of time on the last few survivors that made it out of both buildings. These were the people that were in or near the impact zones. I think the most interesting revelation for me was that there was an open stairway in the South Tower that very few people managed to escape by. Due to communication issues this information was never relayed to the people stuck on the top floors of that tower.
I greatly enjoyed this book because it does not delve into conspiracy theories but gives the details of the human struggle to survive. There is also some history about the towers regarding building codes at the time they were built. I would reccomend this book to anyone that can tolerate reading about that day in sometimes gruesome detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book because it does not delve into conspiracy theories but gives the details of the human struggle to survive. There is also some history about the towers regarding building codes at the time they were built. I would reccomend this book to anyone that can tolerate reading about that day in sometimes gruesome detail.
