City Travel Guides
Home Page > Go back a page
Books : The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
Search Books - select a category
See Larger Image |
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by: Jim DeFede |
|
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Binding: Hardcover Dewey Decimal Number: 971.8 EAN: 9780060513603 ISBN: 0060513608 Label: HarperCollins Canada / Non-Fiction Manufacturer: HarperCollins Canada / Non-Fiction Number Of Pages: 256 Publication Date: August 22, 2002 Publisher: HarperCollins Canada / Non-Fiction Studio: HarperCollins Canada / Non-Fiction Sales Rank: 301074 Related Items:
Related Items:      see moreBrowse for similar items by category:
Editorial Review: From Amazon.com: The events of September 11 have seemingly been covered, analyzed, and discussed from every angle imaginable. So the subject matter alone of Jim DeFede's The Day the World Came to Town makes it noteworthy. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 38 commercial airliners carrying over 6,000 passengers were forced, as a precautionary measure, to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. Due to the ongoing closure of U.S. airspace, the passengers spent four days in this isolated town of 10,000 before being allowed to continue on their way. In that time, Gander's residents rallied together to extend a kind of hospitality that seems too expansive for the word hospitality. Townspeople not only opened schools and legion halls for use as emergency shelters, they invited the passengers into their homes for showers, meals, and warm beds while local businesses simply gave toiletries and clothing to passengers stuck without luggage. Despite the grim consequences that led to the situation, DeFede finds humor: two flight attendants are offered a car for sightseeing by a local woman who happened to be driving by; the stranded chairman of Hugo Boss finds himself shopping for men's underwear at the local Wal-Mart. But the real message of the book is how, even in times of great turmoil and conflict, people can and must look to one another for comfort, help, and hope. --John Moe Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
 Rating: - EVERYONE should read this bookWith all the horrors that took place on September 11th, this book shows the good that took place as well. Some parts are even laugh-out-loud funny - I drew several strange looks from my husband whenever I chuckled - who knew one could be reading a book about 9/11 and laughing? I grew up in Newfoundland myself and know first hand the kind of people who live there. Newfies are a shining example to the rest of the world how one does not need materialistic wealth in order to be generous - just a kind and loving heart. This is a truly amazing story that everyone should read, if only to be reminded of the goodness that people are capable of in even the darkest hours. Now I wish Defede would write a sequel - since it has been five years ... Read More: Rating: - A love Story for all NationsTeachers take note! This is a must read for all future leaders. Jim DeFede tells the reality of people coming together to be "in the moment" during a very difficult moment. Clergy, this is a must read for religious studies!This is a how to book for adults -- how to turn evil into good, how to step across politics, religion, take down the borders that separate us and take charge, how to work for peace. Parents, a family read! Young and old, children, women, men and animals, every one is counted and made to be accountable for making life go on! A fine gift book --Heart warming sincerity at its best! Rating: - Brought me backHaving only recently been given this book it brought back to me those few days I spent in a remote but truly wonderful town. I was on American Airlines flight 101 from Heathrow to JFK and was diverted to Gander that morning. To say I met some of the most amazing people ever would be an understatement. My friend and I were looked after so well. A woman took us to her home so I could call my parents, another took us to her home to shower. Those I remember most fondly are Doug Brittain & his wife who took us into their home to sleep. Amazing people. Rating: - Another definition of community and graceI just finished reading _Plainsong_ and told my wife how I enjoyed this story of community and grace. Then my wife recommended _The Day the World Came to Town_ as another non-fictional demonstration of the same themes. I started it and couldn't quit reading it ... finished it in less than 24 hours. This is a great and reassuring story how a group of people reach out and embrace others in a time of need. While I love reading, I don't find myself often emotionally touched by books ... DeFede succeeded in finding the right words, images and stories that touched my emotions time and time again. There is another book that I would recommend as well. It's a similar story of how a community reaches out to those affected by world ... Read More: Rating: - One Glimpse of Human Greatness!A friend told me about The Day the World Came to Town a while back. I knew it was about September 11th and I was feeling a bit overloaded on the sad stories that resulted from that tragic day so I put it off. Of course, I knew there had been some amazing demonstrations of community, heroism, and other stories of the unexpected graces that resulted from that horrible day⬙s events and yet this story was probably the one that made me fully appreciate the paradox of grace in the midst of tragedy all the more. Gander, New Foundland has never been a major tourist spot on anyone⬙s map in its history. However, many have touched down in Gander over the years as it served as a refueling station for prop planes and ... Read More: |
|