From the Inside Out: Harrowing Escapes from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center by Ronningen, Erik O. (2013) Hardcover

by Erik O. Ronningen

Erik Ronningen was on the 71st floor of the North Tower on September 11, 2001 when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building. After an incredible, near miraculous journey down through the acrid, smoke-filled building, Erik tried to get to the Security Command Center in the South Tower. Unable to do so, he was the last person to make it out of the South Tower alive. Here is the story of his harrowing escape interwoven with the accounts of fourteen others who were lucky enough to be able to recount them. Altogether, these accounts document the bravery and heroism, selflessness and generosity demonstrated by hundreds of people when their normal everyday lives were suddenly plunged into a fiery scramble for survival. The astonishing photograph on the cover of this book was taken by survivor Jim Usher as he lay on the concrete outside the WTC losing consciousness, so his family could see what he saw during what he thought were the last moments of his life. And yes, that flag was really there! This photograph has never before been made public.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Biography, True Crime, American History, Historical

Hardcover

First published September 7, 2013

About the author

An Army brat. A trained professional classical oboist performing in the Northern Virginia / Washington, D.C. area. Commissioned in 1966 upon graduation from Valley Forge Military Academy. Served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Republic of Germany. Commanded a NATO nuclear weapons site in the Fulda Gap on the border of the then Iron Curtain. Entered the mainstream business environment. Awarded a U.S. Patent. A survivor of September 11, 2001. The last person to escape the South Tower before it collapsed. Developed a Personal Assurance Program to determine the character of individuals requiring access to critical infrastructure. Enjoy trying to encourage the spoken word to come alive on paper.

Reviews

[Kerry Gans · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible look at 15 people's narrow escapes from the World Trade Center. As horrifying as it was to watch on TV, the descriptions of being inside the catastrophe were surreal and even more terrifying than imagined. Details not mentioned in any media report slam into your brain and put you right there. For me, reading these accounts made it even more amazing that so many people did make it out alive. For any of you who think you know the full story of that disastrous day in Manhattan--you don't. Every survivor has a new angle. All I can say is that I am grateful that the original builders of the Towers built them to withstand a 707 jet impact. Without that foresight, the death toll would have been much, much higher.

[Papaphilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down to save my life. I lost a nights sleep over it. It is that good. I was lucky that it is a relatively short book because I would not have stopped under any condition. Eric Ronningen does an amazing job of what happened from an insiders perspective of the 911 attack. His timeline tries to make sense of something that cannot be done. Eric focuses on his coworkers and their stories of trying to meet both the demand of working an terrorist incident and trying to escape with one's life. Eric's story is about the ordinary working people of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the heroism that people have within themselves during times of crisis. It is an enjoyable read written in an easygoing style. Ronningen puts together a fascinating tale without placing his subjects on pedestals, which makes "From the Inside Out" that much more enjoyable.

Very Highly Recommended

[Carissa Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read on 9/11. I had been wary of reading anything too in depth, feeling that I could not handle such a tragic event and not wanting to disrespect the victims and survivors by "gawking" at their experiences. Being drawn back in my thoughts to this event, I finally picked up a book, this one. I am glad I did. I have read that Ronningen wanted to tell the stories of the people in his book as objectively as he could to allow the reader to step into the experience with them. He didn't want to overwhelm with drama. In my opinion, he achieved his goal. Until I read this, my view of the event had been from the outside, from a safe distance. This book was written with respect and honor and made me feel even more for the victims and survivors, to perhaps understand a smidgen what it was like for them that day. I did not feel I was gawking or taking advantage of that day for amusement; I felt like I was being asked to listen and understand others' experiences. This is a book that feels like sitting in the living room of someone you love as they tell you what they went through. And above all, it is a book of hope. Peppered throughout the work is the indomitable spirit of the survivors and the intervention of God. I did not come away depressed, but impressed by the survivors, by the heroes and those who lost their lives that horrible day.

[Stefanie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligently written and super powerful. I was 5 when 9/11 happened and honestly don’t remember the day. I imagine even if I had it wouldn’t come close to reading these peoples stories. So many aspects that aren’t common knowledge dawn on you. It is powerful without being over the top about death and disrespectful.

The book is laid out sequentially in clusters how everyone got through that day. This is effective if you can follow the jumping from different people’s story lines… should be easy because it’s a quick read you won’t want to put down. It would be nice to read on a kindle so you can search by name to refer back to each person if you need.

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an eye opening read into the horror and tragedy of 9/11. My only complaint is that it was hard to follow the 15 stories progressing as one. Especially as someone who had never been to the WTC before the attacks, it would have been easier for me to understand what was going on and who was who had it been 15 separate chapters with each personal account told one at a time from start to finish. Nevertheless it was still worth my time.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A narrative based on survivors' stories from the North Tower. While this is not a patch on The Only Plane in the Sky, an oral history of 9/11, it allows the reader to experience the confusion, despair, and strange detachment that survivors went through as they realized they were in peril and needed to escape. The shock that some North Tower survivors had in exiting to realize that the South Tower had already been attacked is especially visceral. Early on there were also unworldly elements, like one man acting as if the tower was merely going to be closed for a few months: he packs up his stuff and goes back several times for more.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even after nearly 20 years, reading stuff about 9/11 is still incredibly powerful and poignant. This is a well organised and written account gathered from several people who experienced the day's events first hand. I teared up a few times. This is a testament to human indurance and action in the face of complete devastation.

[Ali Piha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many 9/11 books and each time I do, they're unbelievable and like a work of fiction. Heartbreaking and harrowing; particularly the survivors' descriptions of what they saw upon exiting the tower. Terrifying and so hard to comprehend, but so important to remember and honor. I read this book in 1 day.

[Mark Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I got through this quickly. A brilliant book- an excellent book about 9/11. A full five stars.

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The stories involved make this a completely worthwhile read. The writing is overly dramatic. The use of exclamation points is cringe worthy. The stories speak for themselves, so I wish the author had toned down the excess a bit.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable

This book is a recollection of stories from those who were there, minute by minute, that Tuesday morning on September eighteen years ago.
It will take you by the hand and walk you right into the World Trade Center, and while this is going to be terrifying, for someone who grew up in a post 9/11 world, this might be the only chance to get to know the place and more importantly, the people.
Finally I get to walk inside the lobbies of the Twin Towers, to see the basements and to smell the fresh brewed coffee while going trough the mall in the morning on my way to an office close enough to touch the clouds.
For the first time I leave the World Trade Center not with a sense of devastation and inconsolable grief, but with a better understanding of the strength of the human spirit and the knowledge that life continues no matter what.
People get to stand up after being knocked down, communities come together and differences are tossed aside; the rebuilding process is healing and as a result, the World Trade Center is still standing and more alive than ever.
For the first time the “bad guys” didn’t get to win, in fact, they’re not even mentioned. This is about all the lives on that day, and in this book, the people are okay, even if they’re not here anymore. This is why this book is unforgettable.

[BookSalad · Rating 3 out of 5]

O'Ronningen, an employee of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, was the last person to make it out of the South Tower alive after the 9/11 attacks. In the months after his harrowing escape, he interviewed hundreds of Port Authority employees who also survived. From the Inside Out recounts the experiences of around two dozen of them - what they saw (fireballs racing past, bodies falling outside their windows) and felt (sheer terror, helplessness, hope).

I've watched over a dozen documentaries, several books, and numerous articles on September 11. This book is the most raw and personal yet. It is a must-read for people who want to know how it truly felt to be there on that awful day in U.S. history.

*I had some trouble keeping track of who was who and where they were in the towers (having never visited) so anyone picking up this book may want to keep a small notebook of brief facts on each person. (That may not be for everyone but I like to know who was who and where was where.) :)

*My then-teenage daughter and I visited 9/11 Memorial several years ago. Powerful beyond words...

[ed coletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile,, fairly quick read. 4.5 stars

I would recommend this book to anyone that is too young to fully remember the victims of 9/11 (the survivors AND the ones who didn't make it), and want to hear the harrowing stories of a number of folks who lived through the terrorist attacks. This book will help to remind you of the courage, bravery, and mental fortitude that was on full display that day.
I didn't think that I would be a huge fan of the many different mini stories from a number of people that were there that day, and the way that each person's experience was kind of written in a back and forth style, from one story to the another. I quickly got used to the authors style of wiring, though I ultimately found this book to be an excellent short read. Recommended!

[Alyssa Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

24 years later- how has it been 24 years?!
I remember this like it was yesterday. Sitting in my 5th grade classroom, it was one of my classmate’s birthdays. Alberto! I mentally say happy birthday to him every year, because I feel like something positive needs to shine through on this horrific day that has been marked in American history forever. My best friend at the time, her father missed his helicopter flight that was supposed to bring him to the top of the tower for his 8am meeting… thank god Americans run on Dunkin. I’ll never forget this day. And every year I watch the 3 hour documentary to bring some sort of honor to the people that died in the tragedy. But you can’t ever forget. September 12th was probably the most united this country has ever been… we need to go back to that time.

5 ⭐️

[Stacey O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books to come out of 9/11

I've read many of the books written about and by survivors of 9/11, and this one is one of the best.

It explains what it was like and follows several people through their entire journey.

It explains how the buildings fell apart - how the plumbing broke and all the water for these huge buildings cascaded into the bottom leading many people to drown in the lobby area.

It explains how fireballs went down elevator shafts and tore through the lower floors.

And it goes into the various levels of denial and dissociation that people enter when facing the extremely unlikely and unthinkable.

It's an important oral history, and a reminder that we can be effective and compassionate and look out for each other. That we don't have to be divided if we decide not to be.

This book shoukdnhe required reading for high schoolers net

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

thanks for sharing Erik & Sarah

really emotive,genuine & memorable read though not as long or detailed as another book of the many non fiction 100% based on factual timeline of events novels,that i’ve read about the tragic 9/11 wtc tragedy.I learned so much from this book little bits of information that differ with each nonfiction novel about the events revolving around the last day too many innocents hard working people unjustly lost their lives & the WTC buildings ceased to exist as of 9/11. I’m glad i purchased both in ebook and paperback and read “From the Inside Out....” by survivor Erik R.

[Melissa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary

This book was so well written that I felt melancholy after each time I sat down and read. I feel that is a good thing because the people who endured the nightmare of that day deserve to have others drawn in to their experiences. These experiences put on paper help others to understand the narrowness, with which those who endured, survived all that happened that day. It helps others who can’t relate to develop the empathy necessary to keep all of America strong as one unit instead of everyone being separate from one another. I’ve shed many tears over the events of that day and I honor all who lived and all who died.

[Eddie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read for millions of people. Thank you Erik

Like the book and movie “Unbroken”, about the plight of American pilot Louis Zamperini in WWII, this book by Erik O. Ronningen reveals the hidden strength that the human mind, body and spirit can endure when faced with insurmountable odds. Anybody facing life problems can take strength and will power from reading the true accounts of the valiant contributors whose lives were altered forever on that unforeseeable tragedy the morning of the 9th September 2001.

Simply put, it took a lot to get the book finished, reliving in detail the unthinkable horrors endured, but it should be acknowledged as a huge self help for readers facing problems with their lives.

YOU CAN WALK THROUGH HELL AND COME OUT INTO THE LIGHT.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping retelling of what happened to a group of survivors from 9/11. The author is one of the survivors, and his investment of maintaining authenticity and careful documenting of events, is, in my opinion done with great care and skill.
The story is told in timeline as events unfold for each person. The impact has a more tense effect as each person is also with others: colleagues and strangers as their story begins with the morning wake up alarm and progresses to the unfolding of what becomes a horrendous day in American history.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the writing was at times overly dramatic, akin to watching your favorite soap opera, nonetheless, this books serves as an important historical document about a very tragic and awful day back in 2001.

The stories from all of the people who tell of their experiences from that day are weaved together almost effortlessly, as if they were one being. Everything is told as if you could have been there.

May we never forget the victims who died that day.

[Andrea Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very detailed account of several people's experiences in the World Trade Towers during the 9/11 attacks. The author is one of those people that was there that day. I have read quite a few of these books on this subject, and I have to say, this is one of the better ones. Although, it is so important that our history not be forgotten, every account of that day should be read.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't imagine...

This is the most amazing book I have ever read. I cannot imagine what these people went through. The fact that they were willing to share their stories with the rest of us is incredible. Even though I know the outcome of this book, there were many times I was breathless and anxious while reading it. And of course I cried. It's incredibly powerful.

[Vince Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did you love best about From the Inside Out?
The stories of the survivors. Even years later, the stories are unbelievable.

What other book might you compare From the Inside Out to and why?
102 Minutes, but I favor this one.

Was this a book you wanted to read all in one sitting?
Easily. Very hard to stop reading.

[Sue Summerill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing

This is a great book. It is written so well. It brings to reality what really happened in 9-11! I never realized how horrible it really was as I only watched it on television, and live so far away. Reading this book was so devastating to read what happened by someone who was actually there.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already had read a good deal of these survivors' accounts in other books I've read about this event, but there were a few more. Regardless, I found this to be well put together and did a good job showing the urgency, confusion, terror, shock, etc., that the people onsite and their spouses and friends experienced. Despite the subject matter, this was a quick read.

[Jo Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book at the store of the 9/11 Memorial. I have been to this store and memorial/centre several times and each time I purchase a book from those that reflect the situation that occurred.
Thank you to Erik for the insight and strength to discuss and reveal the stories of those who you worked with, and knew from the Twin Towers.

[Dan Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book! Harrowing, tragic, heart stopping at times, yet at the end when you read about their survival, you smile.
September 11th will always be the day THAT tragedy happened. This book brings you directly inside the offices, elevators, and stairwells of the Twin Towers.
I recommend reading this.

[court · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book with so many stories that gave me chills and made me tear up. I’ve always been fascinated with 9/11, especially the survivor stories. This book was nothing short of shocking, but I highly recommend for anyone who is interested in knowing more about those who survived this tragic day in history.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating stories

The people who were in the towers that day and lived to tell about it experienced the worst trauma imaginable. But it is clear that the author, in compiling his own and others stories, has transformed the trauma into meaningful and intentional living. Very well done.

[Hanna Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently have been reading a lot of books on 9/11.
I was 3 and obviously have no recollection of that terrible day. But learning about it and reading about it makes it seem more real.
This book was no exception and was a great read. Hearing these stories and knowing what these people went through had me gripped from the beginning.