The 9/11 Commission Report with Related Documents

by Ernest R. May

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 left Americans wondering how such a breach of security could have occurred. Relatives and friends of the victims pushed for the creation of a National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States to investigate the government's preparedness for and response to the attacks and to provide recommendations for preventing future disasters. As Senior Advisor to the 9/11 Commission, Ernest R. May provides students with a firsthand account of the commission's methods and actions. His introduction, which describes the drafting process and the collaboration of the commissioners despite the bitter political divisions surrounding them, allows students to view the report as an historical document. The report itself has been carefully abridged for the classroom while preserving the essence of the complete version. A cast of characters, a glossary of political acronyms, a chronology, a selected bibliography, and questions for consideration make this edition ideal for students.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 1735

About the author

Ernest Richard May was an American historian of international relations whose 14 published books include analyses of American involvement in World War I and the causes of the fall of France during World War II. His 1997 book The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis became the primary sources of the 2000 film Thirteen Days that viewed the crisis from the perspective of American political leaders. He served on the 9/11 Commission and highlighted the failures of the government intelligence agencies. May taught full time on the faculty of Harvard University for 55 years, until his death.

Reviews

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written. Concise and to the point. First half is a historical narrative leading up to the attacks, second half a "what to do now" solution proposals. The clarity will really help anyone understand the context of the attacks of September 11th much better. However I have to disagree with some of the recommendations. I think that the problem with studies like these is they carry a very strong emotional charge with them that makes people a little blind to whether or not a solution is a good one. An example is the creation of the Department of National Intelligence which was formerly the job of the Director of Central Intelligence. All this did was re-invent the wheel and create one more bureaucratic hurdle for information to get through thus increasing not decreasing the likelihood of a another intelligence failure.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took my time reading this report, stopping and starting a few times during the past couple of months. I enjoyed the clarity and conciseness found in this report. If only all government documents could be written in this style.

If you're looking for some background on 9/11, and a detailed description of what happened and some of its aftermath (though, the book does not focus on the effects of 9/11), this is worth reading. It's also understandable for anybody with an 8th-grade reading level.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This report gives a fascinating account of the history of the terrorists responsible for the attacks of September 11, 2001. The background gives you an understanding of fundamentalist Muslims and why they hate America. There is also a detailed look at U.S. security issues and policy. Although the length may seem daunting, it keeps your attention at every turn. It is an unbiased education into the events of this tragic day that should be read by all.

[Felisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just had to read this for class and for such a short book it's really packed with a lot of information. You walk away with a better idea of what happened during the 9/11 attack, the events leading up to it, and the proposed ideas to keep it from happening again. I'd say it's a pretty good read.

[William Gortowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd how it has become history but it is still happening -- the so-called war on terror. Can't help but feel paranoid after reading about everything that went into the planning of 9/11. I got lost in all the government acronyms but still worth reading.