The Sky is Falling

by Arthur Weingarten

Second Library Copy. San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

260 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1977

Reviews

[Eadie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story of a B-25 bomber which crashed into the Empire State Building in New York during dense fog on July 28, 1945. The pilot, Colonel Smith, was a Navy pilot and a decorated war hero. He took extraordinary risks in flying the plane from Boston MA and trying to land at Newark NJ airport. All three crew members were killed and 11 people in the building died in the fire. An elevator operator plummeted 78 floors when the cables were severed by the plane and actually survived. I found this book to be a fascinating and detailed account by Arthur Weingarten who was 10 years old at the time and visiting New York with his father. He wrote the book in 1977 but was unable to get an official report from the Navy as it was classified and lost in a fire where files were destroyed. Weingarten has since interviewed many eyewitnesses and got first-hand information. I found the book hard to put down and I would recommend this novel to those who like books about epic historical events.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

July 1945 just a few months after WW2 a B-25 bomber lost in a fog bank hits the 79th floor of the Empire State Building.
A powerful true story where I first read about the 2 pilots and their background, and a sailor just along for the flight, people that worked on the 79th floor at the time of the crash and people that heard the plane and saw it. I also learned about the building of the Empire State Building.
This was written like a novel and you were seeing a lot of it as it was happening.
Ignore the silly book title. Ignore the cheesy 70s cover art.

This book was a true thriller.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this incident before a friend loaned me this book. Reads like a novel and not nonfiction. Very interesting and well written.

[Dannye Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book that reads like a novel. My only complaint is that the author imagined thoughts and conversations for some people, but otherwise a really great story.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1945, a highly experienced combat veteran accidentally flew a B-25 bomber into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building. Through exhaustive research and interviews with witnesses and survivors, Arthur Weingarten describes the people involved and the events that led up to this horrible disaster.

When disasters occur, everyone wants to know why. I felt that Weingarten did an incredible job of describing the how and why. He gives some real insight into each major participant; including the pilot, his passengers, the victims and survivors, and others who were involved with this accident. Instead of just stating what happened, he takes you through the circumstances so that you understand how the accident occurred, without vilifying the pilot. Then, he puts you in the midst of the impact and the aftermath, including some awe-inspiring stories of heroism and survival.

Books that recount disasters aren't for everyone, but I highly recommend this one. Not too many books bring tears to my eyes or cause me to speak out loud, but this one did.

[Doti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recounting of an earlier tragedy, one that should have been avoided. Even though you know what's going to happen, the author builds suspense and creates characters that are fleshed out.