Unmeasured Strength

by Lauren Manning

A survivor's awe-inspiring story of how she overcame tragedy and re-created herself as a wife, mother, and woman She was a hardworking business woman, had a loving husband and an infant son, and a confidence born of intelligence and beauty. But on 9/11, good fortune was no match for catastrophe. When a wall of flame at the World Trade Center burned more than 80 percent of her body, Lauren Manning began a ten-year journey of survival and rebirth that tested her almost beyond human endurance. Long before that infamous September day, Manning learned the importance of perseverance, relentless hard work, and a deep faith in oneself. So when the horrific moment of her near-death arrived, she possessed the strength and resilience to insist that she would not yield―not to the terrorists, not to the long odds, not to the bottomless pain and exhaustion. But as the difficult months and years went by, she came to understand that she had to do more than survive. She needed to undergo a complete transformation, one that would allow her to embrace her life and her loved ones in an entirely new way. Fleeing the burning tower, Manning promised herself that she would see her son's face again. Courageous and inspiring, Unmeasured Strength tells the riveting story of her heroic effort to make that miracle―and so many others―possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Autobiography, Audiobook, Adult

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2011

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a book that I would have chosen to read on my own; it was a book club pick. That being said, I did think it was an okay read given the subject matter. Unmeasured Strength covers a lot of Manning's physical rehabilitation, so if you're not interested in reading about burn rehab I wouldn't recommend this. Although Manning's story of survival is certainly inspiring, I didn't love her book. There was a level of egocentrism throughout Manning's story that just didn't sit well with me. Yes, this book is about her and her recovery, but the way she writes about herself and her life just rubbed me the wrong way at times. I would probably have enjoyed reading a magazine article about her experience, but a full-length book was just too much for me. I'm glad she survived and recovered of course, but I'm not a fan of this.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Lauren Manning was running late for her job at the World Trade Center as a partner and managing director at Cantor Fitzgerald. As she entered the lobby and approached the elevators, she heard a strange noise. Then suddenly she was engulfed in flames as a great ball of fire shot out of the elevator shaft.

Lauren Manning's poignant, powerful biography relates in graphic detail the events which followed as she struggled with third degree burns over 80% of her body; first to live, and then to regain as much of her life as possible. This amazing, courageous, determined young woman suffered excruciating pain as her slow recovery progressed over a period of many years. Countless surgeries, occupational and physical therapy, and the most up to date treatment saved her life and helped restore most of her appearance.

Throughout it all, Lauren refused to feel sorry for herself. With steeled resolve, she never let her injuries rule her abilities and her life. The love and faith showered upon her by family, friends, and countless people worldwide helped sustain her and buoy her spirits when she faltered. This is an inspiring book about a young woman who triumphed over nearly insurmountable odds.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating update on the life of Lauren Manning. Manning was an employee of Cantor Fitzgerald and was burned over 82% of her body by burning jet fuel that rushed down the elevator shafts of the North Tower on September 11, 2001.

I got to know Lauren Manning in a most unusual way (as many readers did). From the time she was admitted to the burn center and throughout her recovery, her husband Greg wrote a series of emails to friends and family detailing moments in her recovery. He always signed the emails "Love Greg and Lauren". These emails evolved into a book of the same title. Later, there was a sequel. Both heartwrenching, but also inspiring.

Today, Lauren Manning is very lucky to be alive. Cantor Fitzgerald suffered the greatest loss -- close to 700 employees were killed that day because their offices were on the 101st - 105th floors -- above the point of impact of the first tower.

This is Lauren's story -- from the time she was a little girl to the morning that she entered the lobby of 1 World Trade Center to the time she was burned and throughout her recovery. The end of the story provides a truly happy ending.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was well written by Lauren Manning. I would never take away from her struggle or the pain and agony she endured to heal from the horrific tragedy she suffered.

There were a couple of things I found notable: she continually talked about how she fought to get better for her son. As a mother of three children, I do understand that, however I felt as though she did not give enough importance or credit to her husband. Yes, she mentioned several times throughout the book how grateful she was to him, but the overarching emphasis and focus was on her son. If I were Greg, I would have felt less than. It seems as though she could have at least lumped them together as a unit and given Greg as much importance in her life as Tyler.

Secondly, there were several not-so-subtle references to her privileged life, which may make the book less relatable to some readers.

Overall, I applaud her resilience and her determination.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since we did not have heat in our house. I spent most of Martin Luther King Day cuddled under a blanket reading about Lauren Manning's journey to recover from burns she received on 9/11. Her story is truly amazing. In a terrible situation that should have killed her. She decided to live. All that mattered to her was being alive to enjoy raising her son and spending time with her husband. This tragedy changed all that mattered to her. Showed her what was important to her. She touched many lives as she battled the pain and recovery process. This is a book I could read again and again. It has inspired me to rethink some things/life goals. I already want to re-read it. Because I know I would learn something else about myself through her journey. I have now ranted and raved so much about this book, my Hubby is reading it.

A five star book.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read "Love Greg and Lauren" back in 2002, so soon after the raw devastation of the World Trade Center attacks, I wanted to go back to learn how Lauren Manning, one of the most devastated survivors of the attacks, had progressed over the past ten years. Her story is inspirational and terrible. Burned over 90% of her body, she has fought back with determination and passion. One of the few Cantor Fitzgerald employees to live, she is really an impressive story. At times, very hard to read due to the terrible things that happened to her but I remain in awe of her spirit and unwillingness to give up - not sure I could be the same.

[Gina Beirne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Manning was burned over 82% of her body in the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. I am I. Awe of her strength and outage in choosing to live in the face of such monumental pain. I read Manning's husbands book, LOVE, GREG AND LAUREN, when it was first published and was delighted to find out how Lauren and her family are faring today. I am especially excited to know that another son joined their family (via gestational surrogate). Let Lauren Manning's courage and strength be a model for those who are facing devastating situations.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I knew that every day, I had a choice. Every day, I had to reach deep inside and find an as yet unmeasured strength that made it possible to carry on." - from Unmeasured Strength

Lauren Manning is a strong woman. Her story of survival and triumph over the injuries she sustained on September 11 in the lobby of the North Tower are amazing. And her quote above is powerful and motivating to me.

That said, she is not a great writer. Read it if you are interested in burn victim recovery, her story, or more background into the victims of 9/11.

[Christa who loves the library · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of the book was good and Mrs. Manning has survived so much both physically and emotionally. I feel that she provided too many details in some spots and not enough in others. It was exciting to have the author read the audio book but in some spots she lacked emotion and talked in a monotone which made following the story challenging. Over all this was an "okay" book. I can't even image the challenges Mrs. Manning has had to overcome in her life. I think this book could have been written a little bit better.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book and to be inspired by Lauren's story. However, I didn't find her to be likable and found myself judging her. Her story is tragic and there is a happy ending. I just didn't find myself finishing the book with new inspiration of how someone can overcome the worst possible tragedy.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This memoir chronicles a woman’s survival after major injuries and burns during 9/11. It’s hard to not have respect for someone who has endured and overcome such a tragedy, but there was an element of her only expressing her strength and never acknowledging any doubt or weakness during a long, grueling recovery. Just an average read for me. 2.5/5 stars.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thus was a hard book to read because of the pain Lauren Nanning suffered as a result of the terrorist’s attack on the twin towers. She is a remarkable person who survived her horrific injuries. The book is well written flipping from present day to her childhood and life before the attack.

[Catherine Symchych · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a strong woman! 82% of her body got burned as she was entering the Twin Towers on 9/11. This is her journey back to a normal life. I don’t know that I would have been able to work as hard to survive and thrive. I didn’t love the writing, hence my mediocre star review.

[Denise Caudell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the story of Lauren Manning who was burned over 85% of her body during 9/11. It is her story of strength, courage, determination, and unwaivering bravery. It starts with Lauren arriving at the World Trade Center Tower One right before the first plane flew into the building from there it moves to her standing at one of the elevators which opened up and engulfed her in flames. Heroic measures were taken by someone standing by and eventually she is moved to a hospital that specializes in burn victims. There, with her husband, extended family, and people she had never known, she embarks on a very long journey to heal, and find her life again. It was truly moving and inspiring. It brings up the fact that when you feel as if everything in your life is bad, someone has a worse scenario. I highly recommend this book not for the enduring pain she went through but to point a light to the fact that we are capable of healing ourselves and finding great inner strength.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book, read by the author who was a victim of the 9/11 attacks. It is an amazing story told by an amazing person. She worked at the WTC, and the morning of 9/11, she had just walked into the building when a fireball erupted from the elevator shaft and lit her on fire. She didn't know how to put the fire out. She made her way outside where there was a little patch of grass and started to roll. A man saw her and threw his jacket over her to smother the flames, then got help for her. She was burned over nearly 85% of her body and was not expected to live, so they more or less ignored her. Eventually she was taken to a burn unit and was put in a medically induced coma. She had a 10-month-old baby, and he is what kept her going once she regained consciousness and started the painful burn treatment protocol. Her husband stood by her, as well as her parents and many friends. She simply willed herself to live and recover, and she did it. I admire her so much. I wonder if I would be as valiant in a similar situation.

[AudreyLovesParis · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wake up Tuesday morning and get dressed to go to work. You are half an hour late because of a phone call you took just before leaving your apartment. That day, you are just leaving the elevator on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center to take the second elevator to your 105-floor office at Cantor Fitzgerald. The plane strikes and all around you, you see people on fire. Then you realize you are one of them. Your life, as you know it, is over.

This is the story of Lauren Manning, who was burned over 80% of her body on that fateful day, who spent six months in the hospital enduring debridement, skin grafts, partial amputations, and came out of it to tell her unforgettable story.

She is an amazing woman and has been through more than one could ever imagine, and I highly recommend her book, Unmeasured Strength.

[Steve Parcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Manning got up one morning and went to work as normal. She was waiting for the lift in the lobby of WTC1 and heard an explosion and then suddenly she is engulfed in flames as jet fuel roars down the lift shaft as the first plane hits.
This lady suffered 85% burns and fractured her ankle as she tried to put herself out on the grass. She was given a 10% chance to live but she made it. Words cannot adequately describe Lauren but this book was so powerful that I am not afraid to admit I was crying in parts. How she is now leading a normal life now is beyond me.
Note to all you conspiracy theorists out there. She was engulfed in flames from JET FUEL. You go and tell her the plane crashes were fake. She has more courage in her little finger than all you halfwits put together. hang your head in shame and read about a real life American heroine.
Simply amazing and a must read for all

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Love Greg and Lauren" and had been on Greg's email list since 09/11/2001. I started my day each morning reading the email's and then praying for Greg, Lauren, and Tyler. Greg wrote so well and so vividly and honestly. Lauren's writing style is the same. Her story is captivating from word one and you just hate it to end because you know you won't be on their Christmas Card list to find out more.

This is an emotional read you will carry in your heart forever unless you are dead from the the neck down.

Happy Reading.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an inspiring, empowering and enduring story about Lauren Manning who survived 9/11. She tells her story and ten year journey to survival as she fled the burning tower and fought for her life after 80% of her body was burned in the World Trade Center catastrophe. Her perseverance and faith in herself after enduring pain and loss beyond our imagination as she describes her life before, during and post 9/11.

[Sharon Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on my Kindle. The book is very well written and the author uses very descriptive words, some I had to look up in the dictionary. She suffered from burns on 911 and was determined to live for her baby son. She was not expected to live through the night, and her survival was a miracle. she worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and lost many friends. she has since done charity work and fund raisers for 911 families of those lost. This was a fast and easy read.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the autobiography of Laura Manning who was a survivor of the 9/11 World Trade Center trajedy. On that morning, she was heading to her job at Cantor Fitzgerald. When she arrived the the WTC, she was severely burned over 80% of her body. This the story of her fight to come back from that day. It was an inspiring story and a good reminder of the personal stories that happened that fateful day.

[Tony Whittum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I cannot imagine anyone (me) complaining about the trials and tribulations of an ordinary life when a person like Lauren Manning exists on this planet.
During the 9/11 tragedy over 80% of Ms. Manning's body was burned and this is her story of not only how she survived and recovered, but thrived!
While some parts are quite harrowing to read if you want something uplifting and inspiring! Read it!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brutal story of recovery from the devastation of 9/11. It is amazing how far she has come with such catastrophic burns. It was hard to read at times, both because of the tally of the friends and co-workers lost and because of the physical effects of the fire. Her account seemed almost too positive; although I don't doubt her drive and her strength, it felt like she was leaving out most of her negative moments.

[Pamela Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful story of strength, survival and the will to live. The book is recollection of Lauren Manning, a woman who was burned on over 80% of her body on 9/11 as fire flew down the elevator shafts at the World Trade Center. The book chronicles her long recovery and her emotional state during this time. Very inspiring and beautifully written.

[Lucy Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very inspiring. I felt she was a little too superwoman though, because she rarely, if at all, mentions having a moment of doubt. She admits to be self-conscious of her looks, but never doubts that she'll succeed and survive this horrible ordeal. I just find that hard to believe. Besides that though, her story is inspiring and motivational.

[Karin L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading about "survivors" and how they get the strength to overcome tremendous obstacles in their lives. Although I admire what this woman went through to recover from her injuries and also recover from incredible loss, the book was maybe a little longer than it needed to be. Otherwise an inspiring story of a very strong woman.

[Esther Bradley-detally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read her husband's emails, turned into a book, as was so struck by his tenacity, and his faith in his beloved wife, and now years later Lauren Manning gives her account of recovering from severe burns, from 911, and hers is an incredibly gripping story. I couldn't put it down. Heroic journey for all.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. I enjoyed the story, and Lauren is definitely an inspirational story, but I found her writing a bit dull after the original shock of the situtation. It picked up at the end, but the middle of the book felt like she just needed to keep writing, as opposed to having a point of the book.

[Christine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like a was on an emotional roller coaster reading this 1st hand account of survivor Lauren Manning. It was very well written, but tough to read because the subject matter was such a tragedy. It felt good to see her strength & how she pulled through when everyone thought she would perish in the hospital. I recommend it for those looking to read something uplifting with a somber theme.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. The writing is fair, but the story is riveting, especially in the light of next week's 10th anniversary of 9/11. We are capable of so much more than we think we can ever achieve. The message in this book will stay with me.