Nonfiction

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11

  • Downloads：1568
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-09-13 00:21:40
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Garrett M. Graff
  • ISBN：1501182218
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Reviews

Shannon （The Book Club Mom） ，

20 years。 Can you believe it？ I think everyone above a certain age remembers exactly where they were， and what they were doing that morning。 I was 21 years old， still living in Canada at that time， getting ready to go to work， and my roommate told me the news。 I remember asking her， “What’s the World Trade Center？” I was young， naive， and （obviously） living in my own little bubble。 I’ll never forget the images on the television screen that morning， the confusion， the chaos， and the fear。 That’s 20 years。 Can you believe it？ I think everyone above a certain age remembers exactly where they were， and what they were doing that morning。 I was 21 years old， still living in Canada at that time， getting ready to go to work， and my roommate told me the news。 I remember asking her， “What’s the World Trade Center？” I was young， naive， and （obviously） living in my own little bubble。 I’ll never forget the images on the television screen that morning， the confusion， the chaos， and the fear。 That’s when the magnitude of the situation really took effect。 I knew immediately that our lives were changed forever。 Last week， I listened to The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M。 Graff， and it hit me hard。 Read by a 45-person cast， we hear from multiple people as they recount the events from that day。 The perspectives from various firefighters， first responders， airline employees， witnesses， survivors， friends， and family members are extremely chilling and eye-opening。 I had tears streaming down my face， and goosebumps pop up on my skin like you would not believe。 It’s not an easy listen， but it’s definitely an important one。 The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 is a must read for everyone。 If you do get the opportunity to listen to the audiobook， I highly recommend you go that route。 It’s by far， one of the very best I’ve ever listened to。 。。。more

McCarley Thomas ，

Finished this last night。 Everyone should read it。 Period。 The audiobook is read by the survivors themselves。

Karen。Books。Cats。Travel。Food。 ，

The Only Plane in The Sky audio is 16 hours， but the stories and the memories from that day will live on forever。From the first casualty on 911， to the last found survivor， these are just some of the stories of victims and survivors from September 11 and the surrounding days。The audio for this book was amazing， with over 40 narrators。 The true personal stories are heart wrenching， inspiring， and display the grace of humanity。 I have heard many of these stories， but have forgotten them over the y The Only Plane in The Sky audio is 16 hours， but the stories and the memories from that day will live on forever。From the first casualty on 911， to the last found survivor， these are just some of the stories of victims and survivors from September 11 and the surrounding days。The audio for this book was amazing， with over 40 narrators。 The true personal stories are heart wrenching， inspiring， and display the grace of humanity。 I have heard many of these stories， but have forgotten them over the years。 This was a good reminder to keep the memories of those alive。 The bravery， selfless， and compassion some individuals showed is what I would like to remember from this book。Thank you @simon。audio for my copy。 。。。more

Carolien ，

It's the defining question for our generation: where were you on 9/11？ Even watching from another continent， it was shocking to watch。 This book tells the story of that day through the words of many survivors。 It moves from scene to scene as the day unfolds and let those who were there and survived speak。 I was consumed with the book on the 20th anniversary of the day。 Highly recommend。I first read an excerpt of the book last year which is a consolidation of the sections dealing with Pres Bush i It's the defining question for our generation: where were you on 9/11？ Even watching from another continent， it was shocking to watch。 This book tells the story of that day through the words of many survivors。 It moves from scene to scene as the day unfolds and let those who were there and survived speak。 I was consumed with the book on the 20th anniversary of the day。 Highly recommend。I first read an excerpt of the book last year which is a consolidation of the sections dealing with Pres Bush in Air Force One https://www。politico。com/magazine/sto。。。Chapter 1 - 3 of this article is effectively an excerpt from the book based on the story of one survivor:https://www。politico。com/news/magazin。。。 。。。more

Lisa | Read Between the Spines ，

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 is an oral history of 9/11 told those who lived and died that day - from Dick Cheney to children around the country。 Because I had heard that the audiobook was the best way to read this， I listened to this book。 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 is different from any book I have read before in that it's primarily told through individual stories and not the author's words。 I thought this was a unique and special approach that was fitting for the subject。 However， I did also stru 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 is an oral history of 9/11 told those who lived and died that day - from Dick Cheney to children around the country。 Because I had heard that the audiobook was the best way to read this， I listened to this book。 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 is different from any book I have read before in that it's primarily told through individual stories and not the author's words。 I thought this was a unique and special approach that was fitting for the subject。 However， I did also struggled with this。Told chronically， there were short snippets from an individual and then several others provided their short stories。 Next thing you know， you are hearing from that first person again。 Because the stories and words of so many are included， it made it difficult to keep track of who was who and what their story was。 For me， it took away from the power of their stories。 While it may have been easier for me to follow if I had read the physical book， it was still a strange choice by the author to skip from person to person for the sake of chronology。Otherwise， I enjoyed listening to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺， as much as one can considering the subject matter。 Graff covers the day from all angles。 He also does so without highlighting one person's experience as more meaningful or valid than another's。 In addition， it was nice to hear the stories that are often not told or featured， rather than those that are continually emphasized。 Overall， I enjoyed 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 and would recommend it。 I am looking forward to reading more books about 9/11 and seeing how they compare to this one。 。。。more

Gail ，

On this 20th anniversary of 9/11， I finally felt emotionally prepared to listen to the audiobook of Garrett Graff’s award-winning “The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11”。 From the minute I pressed play， I was sucked into this book， which provides a minute-by-minute account from hundreds of people who were part of this tragic day but also reveals many telling details I never knew about—from the marine evacuation of lower Manhattan to where President Bush went to wait out the attacks On this 20th anniversary of 9/11， I finally felt emotionally prepared to listen to the audiobook of Garrett Graff’s award-winning “The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11”。 From the minute I pressed play， I was sucked into this book， which provides a minute-by-minute account from hundreds of people who were part of this tragic day but also reveals many telling details I never knew about—from the marine evacuation of lower Manhattan to where President Bush went to wait out the attacks to how flight controllers coordinated landing every other plane in the sky。This was an *incredibly* gut-wrenching read。 And yet， I found myself making every excuse I could this past week to get back to it。 In part because， as Graff writes in an afterword， for too many of us， the events of 9/11 have shifted focus to the geopolitical consequences of that day， from the creation of the TSA to the war in Afghanistan。 What has gotten lost along the way are the human stories—the vivid memories of people present at the tragedy， from first responders to officer workers in the towers to government leaders to children recalling their memories of the morning。 We like to use the hashtag #NeverForget when we talk about 9/11， and yet， the more time passes， the harder it is for all of us to remember the details of that day。 Thanks to the work of Graff and so many other historians， there exists this incredible collection of these personal stories， culled from thousands of oral histories， to make sure that we never do。 If you， like me， want to find a small but significant way to honor the victims of this day， I encourage you to pick this book up and press “Play。” 。。。more

Toria ，

Been meaning to read it since it came out。 Quite fitting to finish it the day it's 20 years since the tragic and terrible attack。 I've not read such a tragic story for a long time and the way it was written was quite different but fit the content very well。 It's hard to rate a book on such a subject。 But the writing and research alone gets 5 stars。 Been meaning to read it since it came out。 Quite fitting to finish it the day it's 20 years since the tragic and terrible attack。 I've not read such a tragic story for a long time and the way it was written was quite different but fit the content very well。 It's hard to rate a book on such a subject。 But the writing and research alone gets 5 stars。 。。。more

Kelsey Marr ，

The hardest book I’ve ever attempted to read but it taught me so much。 I was 3 years old when 9/11 happened and now that I live very close to Ground Zero I felt I needed to understand what it was like to be a New Yorker on that day。 Harrowing， intense and absolutely needed to be read by every American

Victor Ramirez Urueta ，

Excellent compilation and assembly of testimonials。 Very difficult to understand how a religion can be so destructive。

Fabienne ，

Very touching。 Listened on audio which I recommend。。。A little to long。

Ana Sofia ，

I think， regardless of our nationality， we all remember what we were doing or where we were when we heard about the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11。 However， regardless of where we were， or how much we’ve read， there were always missing pieces to the story。 There was so much I didn’t know， and this book really filled in the blanks。 It is an oral story from people who were there， told in their own words， giving us an incredible perspective of events。 From the airport agent who I think， regardless of our nationality， we all remember what we were doing or where we were when we heard about the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11。 However， regardless of where we were， or how much we’ve read， there were always missing pieces to the story。 There was so much I didn’t know， and this book really filled in the blanks。 It is an oral story from people who were there， told in their own words， giving us an incredible perspective of events。 From the airport agent who checked in the terrorists， people who were on the towers， NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani， spouses and loved ones of the victims on the planes。。。 the list goes on。 An ambitious project perfectly compiled by the author。 It really is an unforgettable read that will stay with you forever。 。。。more

Lex ，

This was such a powerful book。 I don't think I realized the significance of the events or their effect。 This was such a powerful book。 I don't think I realized the significance of the events or their effect。 。。。more

Lauren ，

Absolutely heartbreaking。 Chilling。 I am from the UK， and I was only 8， when the horrific tragedies of 9/11 happened。 I remember the day even now， and can remember conversations， and just a feeling of sadness， seeing the news and not really knowing what was happening。 20 years later， and 9/11 is with everyone， and will forever be remembered。 I just cannot begin to imagine the devastation， the loss， the way the world changed from that day。 Never forget。I didn't feel right giving this book a ratin Absolutely heartbreaking。 Chilling。 I am from the UK， and I was only 8， when the horrific tragedies of 9/11 happened。 I remember the day even now， and can remember conversations， and just a feeling of sadness， seeing the news and not really knowing what was happening。 20 years later， and 9/11 is with everyone， and will forever be remembered。 I just cannot begin to imagine the devastation， the loss， the way the world changed from that day。 Never forget。I didn't feel right giving this book a rating。 It's an oral history， well documented and you get to hear from so many people that were affected in some way from the devastation。 You can't put a rating on a book that documents one of the worst days of so many people's lives。*Thank you to the publishers for my gifted copy* 。。。more

Stacey Wright Aumock ，

I was compelled to read this because the 20th anniversary is this year。 I think everyone should read this。 It’s a thorough， gut wrenching， emotional book set during one of the scariest times in American history。 It’s well written and includes so many details。 I learned so much about the pentagon and flight 93。 It’s a hard book to read， but so very important。 Never forget

Beth G ，

As I emotionally prepare myself in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11， this seemed like the appropriate book to read。 I especially recommend it on audio as the variety of readers and the inclusion of some actual audio from that day made it…easier， more enjoyable， smoother…none of those words seems really fitting。 But， I just definitely recommend the audio over the book which I’d checked out from the library。 In the foreword， I believe， the author mentions that whenever the topic of 9/11 comes As I emotionally prepare myself in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11， this seemed like the appropriate book to read。 I especially recommend it on audio as the variety of readers and the inclusion of some actual audio from that day made it…easier， more enjoyable， smoother…none of those words seems really fitting。 But， I just definitely recommend the audio over the book which I’d checked out from the library。 In the foreword， I believe， the author mentions that whenever the topic of 9/11 comes up， few of us truly listen to our friends and acquaintances stories but instead， we want to tell ours and relive that day from our personal memory。 It still seems so fresh， real， and unfathomable even 20 years later。 The thing I most took from this book was how the stories of people involved on that fateful day are so different from the ones that I and my friends tell from our perspectives of having seen it all on tv。 For many of them， they only knew the part they were experiencing until days later when they saw the news footage。 What a shock it must’ve been after living through it to view it in its entirety and fully comprehend what they lived through。 May we never forget。 。。。more

Kathryn ，

4 and a half stars raised to 5 for Goodreads。 I listened to this and that's the way to go。 There is a 48 member cast who reads。 I feel for me itf I read this it would have felt too long and tedious， but by listening to it， it did not seem as long as it actually is and kept my attention for the most part。 4 and a half stars raised to 5 for Goodreads。 I listened to this and that's the way to go。 There is a 48 member cast who reads。 I feel for me itf I read this it would have felt too long and tedious， but by listening to it， it did not seem as long as it actually is and kept my attention for the most part。 。。。more

Elizabeth ，

I set out to read/listen to this leading up to 9/11/21， the 20th anniversary of the day that changed America。 This book is truly a gift to the world。 The author took on a tremendous task of telling the story of those who experienced first hand the horrors of that day。 I will remember many parts of this book， but the one that sticks with me is Genelle Guzman， the final survivor of the Twin Towers。 She was rescued after 27 hours of being essentially buried alive。 She said she prayed for 27 hours s I set out to read/listen to this leading up to 9/11/21， the 20th anniversary of the day that changed America。 This book is truly a gift to the world。 The author took on a tremendous task of telling the story of those who experienced first hand the horrors of that day。 I will remember many parts of this book， but the one that sticks with me is Genelle Guzman， the final survivor of the Twin Towers。 She was rescued after 27 hours of being essentially buried alive。 She said she prayed for 27 hours straight and she changed her life after experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit that day。 I love books that bring God into the world and her story underscored an already beautiful yet tragic account of senseless tragedy。 This really should be required listening for all Americans， if not all humans。 It is well worth the time spent。 I am forever grateful to the brave rescue workers who sacrificed everything that day。 Their story will live on through these survivors and through all who will bear witness to their story。 May we never again face a day like 9/11/01。 And yet may we also come together again as a nation as we did in the days after。 Lord， in your mercy， hear our prayer。 。。。more

Amy Zupancic ，

This was the best book I've read this year。 And I'm picky。 I've been unable to emotionally handle reading or watching 9/11 history until recently。 After 20 years， though， I decided it was time to come out of my bubble and learn more about the events of that day。 （I knew the basics， of course， having been an adult on that day and watching the events unfold， but listening or reading first-hand accounts made me too upset。） This is an extremely well-researched and well-written account， and I'm very This was the best book I've read this year。 And I'm picky。 I've been unable to emotionally handle reading or watching 9/11 history until recently。 After 20 years， though， I decided it was time to come out of my bubble and learn more about the events of that day。 （I knew the basics， of course， having been an adult on that day and watching the events unfold， but listening or reading first-hand accounts made me too upset。） This is an extremely well-researched and well-written account， and I'm very glad I read it。 Highly recommended - particularly the Audiobook version。 。。。more

Kate Fowee Gasaway ，

I thought now， the 20th anniversary， was as good of a reason as I was going to find to finally pick this book up。 And I’m glad I did。 Not only capturing a timeline and detail of the events of the day， it captures the humanity of the day。

Christian Assunção ，

Um dos melhores livros do ano。 Tão impactante！ Assim que conclui a leitura corri para gravar um vídeo sobre， pq precisava expressar tudo que eu senti。

Cherryxwine ，

Książka， którą absolutnie trzeba przeczytać。 Przerażająca i wzruszająca。 Mam wrażenie， że dopiero po tej lekturze dotarła do mnie skala tragedii z 11 września 2001 r。

Katie ，

“The Only Plane in the Sky” is a tragically important piece of history， both in scope and depth。 From the evening before to the weeks afterward， Graff meticulously traces the American experience of 9/11。 The majority of his sources are actually the result of the oral history projects by the 9/11 Museum in New York and Arlington County Public Library in Virginia — kudos to all of their interviewers！ Graff’s major accomplishment here is turning individual histories into an exhausting but thorough “The Only Plane in the Sky” is a tragically important piece of history， both in scope and depth。 From the evening before to the weeks afterward， Graff meticulously traces the American experience of 9/11。 The majority of his sources are actually the result of the oral history projects by the 9/11 Museum in New York and Arlington County Public Library in Virginia — kudos to all of their interviewers！ Graff’s major accomplishment here is turning individual histories into an exhausting but thorough narrative。 So many small observations from this book will stick with me， but especially this one from the widow Beverly Eckert:“I remember how I didn’t want that day to end， terrible as it was。 I didn’t want to go to sleep be what as long as I was awake， it was still a day I shared with Sean。 He kissed me goodbye before leaving for work。 I could still say this was just a little while ago。 That was only this morning。”What more is there to say？ This is a 5/5。 。。。more

Becca Mee ，

I read this book last year for the first time and approaching the anniversary of 9/11 felt compelled to skim through these stories of heartbreak， courage， heroism， sacrifice and even hope。 I was in 4th grade in New Jersey on 9/11。 My teachers sister miraculously escaped the towers and I knew many people who were supposed to be there but for some reason or another were running late。 I remember feeling so afraid and confused in the days after。 I remember cars at the train station that stayed there I read this book last year for the first time and approaching the anniversary of 9/11 felt compelled to skim through these stories of heartbreak， courage， heroism， sacrifice and even hope。 I was in 4th grade in New Jersey on 9/11。 My teachers sister miraculously escaped the towers and I knew many people who were supposed to be there but for some reason or another were running late。 I remember feeling so afraid and confused in the days after。 I remember cars at the train station that stayed there for months because their owners never came back。 I remember the world changed。 I also remember in the darkest of grief and fear that goodness and humanity prevailed。 This is one of the best oral histories I have read， ever。 A collection of experiences that paints as complete of a picture as possible of that horrible day。 Examples of courage and heroism and hope permeate the page， as do the somber reminders of those senselessly lost。 It’s truly a stunning piece of scholarship and is something I think everyone should read。 。。。more

Becca ，

Incredible compilation of heartbreaking individual accounts of 9/11 and the days that followed。

Tara ，

Heart-wrenching。 Fantastic。

Irenejohnson ，

This book is exceptional。 It is a accounting of September 11， 2001 with a 360 degree view of the day。 It is written with the voices of 911 survivors， first responders， government agencies like Norad， FAA， and friends and family。 I was unable to read this book and not shed a tear。 It tears at your heart， makes you angry as hell， and has you rejoicing with the miracles of the day such as the landing of every plane in the sky， the maritime boat lift， and the tower survivors。 This is a MUST read for This book is exceptional。 It is a accounting of September 11， 2001 with a 360 degree view of the day。 It is written with the voices of 911 survivors， first responders， government agencies like Norad， FAA， and friends and family。 I was unable to read this book and not shed a tear。 It tears at your heart， makes you angry as hell， and has you rejoicing with the miracles of the day such as the landing of every plane in the sky， the maritime boat lift， and the tower survivors。 This is a MUST read for all americans it should be taught in school。 。。。more

Kelsey ，

Wow！ This is a must-read for all Americans 🇺🇸 I feel especially grateful to have read this in September—finishing the day before the 20th anniversary of 9/11。 It just felt like the best time to read it and reflect。 I’m also grateful for the opportunity to have read the physical copy while simultaneously listening to the audiobook （at least for multiple sections of the book）。 The audio was my favorite of the two versions， but I also loved seeing it paired with the many photos and images that were Wow！ This is a must-read for all Americans 🇺🇸 I feel especially grateful to have read this in September—finishing the day before the 20th anniversary of 9/11。 It just felt like the best time to read it and reflect。 I’m also grateful for the opportunity to have read the physical copy while simultaneously listening to the audiobook （at least for multiple sections of the book）。 The audio was my favorite of the two versions， but I also loved seeing it paired with the many photos and images that were included in the physical copy。 This incredible oral history， taken from thousands of of perspectives， is something I’ll never forget。 I think we all remember where WE were on 9/11， and therefore， tend to remember the event only as it revolved around our own experience。 This book， however， with its thorough and eclectic compilation of memories and viewpoints from that historic day and the days that followed helps to paint a more vivid picture of EVERYTHING that happened and what Americans， particularly New Yorkers， endured。 There were angles I would have never thought of had I not read the book。 While this is a heartbreaking read， it is also one of hope， resilience， and great patriotism。 I cannot recommend this one enough for all readers。 。。。more

Cari ，

A must read！

Sharen ，

5+++ stars。 Each year I try to read or listen to a 9/11 themed book to honor and remember the day and everyone involved。 This was one of the most emotional and fascinating audiobooks I have ever experienced。 I am glad that the audiobook version was recommended to me。 It was phenomenally written and then presented by the 45 narrator cast with some real time/actual audio clips/speeches。 This piece of work will make your heart hurt at times。 At the same time， you will be amazed at the bravery， kind 5+++ stars。 Each year I try to read or listen to a 9/11 themed book to honor and remember the day and everyone involved。 This was one of the most emotional and fascinating audiobooks I have ever experienced。 I am glad that the audiobook version was recommended to me。 It was phenomenally written and then presented by the 45 narrator cast with some real time/actual audio clips/speeches。 This piece of work will make your heart hurt at times。 At the same time， you will be amazed at the bravery， kindness and sense of community that occured。 I hope our country can soon once again remember how much better the United States is when we are united。 I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to remember， honor or never forget this tragic day。 It would also be a good recommendation for a teenager who was too young to really understand what happened on 9/11。 Never forget 🇺🇲 ❤🤍💙 。。。more

Brooke Snow ，

This book is stunning。 Like many people and my generation， I am fascinated by 9/11。 This is an oral history of the day they changed all of our lives told by survivors， their families， and people who are directly involved。 This book is meant to be consumed on audio with a full cast including some of the real voices。