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A Place of Remembrance, Updated Edition: Official Book of the National September 11 Memorial
The official book created by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, this keepsake volume honors those lost—and celebrates the spirit of hope as it tells the story of rescue, recovery, and the building of the memorial plaza (opened on September 11, 2011), and the museum (opened on May 21, 2014).
Newly updated, this is the one and only official companion book to the memorial plaza, created by the 9/11 Memorial Museum staff and originally published for its opening on the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. In somber words and chilling photographs—some never before published—the book tells the story of the World Trade Center buildings; the earthshaking attack; the aftermath, as anxious rescue efforts became months-long recovery; the public debate over how to commemorate those lost; the plans finally approved for a plaza and museum. This edition contains a chapter dedicated to the remarkable nine-story underground 9/11 Memorial Museum, full of interactive exhibits that honor the meaning of 9/11 and the nation's response to the disaster. Illustrations and text come from the 9/11 Memorial Museum's collection, including its extensive oral history transcripts. Poignant and inspiring, this important book will win readers' minds—and hearts.
Newly updated, this is the one and only official companion book to the memorial plaza, created by the 9/11 Memorial Museum staff and originally published for its opening on the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. In somber words and chilling photographs—some never before published—the book tells the story of the World Trade Center buildings; the earthshaking attack; the aftermath, as anxious rescue efforts became months-long recovery; the public debate over how to commemorate those lost; the plans finally approved for a plaza and museum. This edition contains a chapter dedicated to the remarkable nine-story underground 9/11 Memorial Museum, full of interactive exhibits that honor the meaning of 9/11 and the nation's response to the disaster. Illustrations and text come from the 9/11 Memorial Museum's collection, including its extensive oral history transcripts. Poignant and inspiring, this important book will win readers' minds—and hearts.
252 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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January 4, 2024this was so very well written. great photos and information in a great layout
October 8, 2018
I picked this one for one of my book clubs. This month's theme was kindness. You may be thinking "What the heck! This month was about kindness! Not war and terrorism and murder. Are you crazy?"
You are right. Hate and fear and malice are big factors in what happened on 9-11. However, the aftermath yielded a tremendous out pouring of love, kindness, and brotherhood without boundaries haven't seen since. This book details the full scope of events: the prosperity of the twin towers as a global icon, the attacks in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, closing air space nationwide, the collapse, searching for survivors, the clean up, all the way to planning and executing a memorial. It is full to overflowing with amazing photos and personal viewpoints.
Yes, the work of 19 men ended almost 3000 lives, but in response hundreds of thousands, even millions, around the world stepped up and did something kind in response. Some traveled directly to the site to shift the rubble, some organized fundraisers, some even made quilts for the families of the victims. I'm convinced everyone did their bit of good, even if it was small.
On the night of September 11, President George W Bush explained it this way in a speech to reassure the shaken nation: "Today our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers, and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could."
I was only 12 at the time, and I live far away from New York, but watching what we grew from the ashes was a beautiful thing and a magical time. It gives me hope that someday my country can be like that again.
You are right. Hate and fear and malice are big factors in what happened on 9-11. However, the aftermath yielded a tremendous out pouring of love, kindness, and brotherhood without boundaries haven't seen since. This book details the full scope of events: the prosperity of the twin towers as a global icon, the attacks in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, closing air space nationwide, the collapse, searching for survivors, the clean up, all the way to planning and executing a memorial. It is full to overflowing with amazing photos and personal viewpoints.
Yes, the work of 19 men ended almost 3000 lives, but in response hundreds of thousands, even millions, around the world stepped up and did something kind in response. Some traveled directly to the site to shift the rubble, some organized fundraisers, some even made quilts for the families of the victims. I'm convinced everyone did their bit of good, even if it was small.
On the night of September 11, President George W Bush explained it this way in a speech to reassure the shaken nation: "Today our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers, and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could."
I was only 12 at the time, and I live far away from New York, but watching what we grew from the ashes was a beautiful thing and a magical time. It gives me hope that someday my country can be like that again.
February 28, 2023
I think that anyone that really wants to know all of the particulars of 9/11 and what really happened should read this book. Beautiful photography (a National Geographic Book)!
What is truly clear is how everyone was working as a team all around the world to save anyone that could be saved, and to save things from the aftermath that could be housed in the museum for people to know and understand; like one of the fire engines that was all mangled from the collapse of the building. (All 50 states and 38 countries)
"We may bend, but we will not break. We may stumble, but we will get back up."
The design was created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, occupying 16 acres of land.
There is so much information to learn that I was never aware of. I'm so glad that I read this book.
What is truly clear is how everyone was working as a team all around the world to save anyone that could be saved, and to save things from the aftermath that could be housed in the museum for people to know and understand; like one of the fire engines that was all mangled from the collapse of the building. (All 50 states and 38 countries)
"We may bend, but we will not break. We may stumble, but we will get back up."
The design was created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, occupying 16 acres of land.
There is so much information to learn that I was never aware of. I'm so glad that I read this book.
August 31, 2022
A very informative book on 9/11 and the aftermath. It also describes the painstaking research and development that went into the creation of the 9/11 Memorial. I saw the 9/11 Memorial many years ago and just read the book now that my wife thoughtfully purchased for me. I would highly recommend reading the book before seeing the memorial because the memorial will mean so much more to you if you read the book 1st and then you’ll understand all the thought and meaning that went into the memorial.
July 24, 2018
A great book that will have you crying as you remember the day of and the days after 9/11. Powerful read.
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September 12, 2022Read this with my 8 yr old who loves the Twin Towers, Freedom Tower, and Memorial Pools.
May 6, 2024
I read the Updated Edition published in 2011.
August 16, 2025
A must-read for anyone who was alive on that awful day. Being from Long Island, it was especially meaningful.
August 12, 2011
I am clearly biased in this review, having had a small part in this books' birth, but this book truly fills a gap that is missing in the body of work that tells the story of September 11, 2001 and the aftermath relating to the re-building of the World Trade Center site. It is clearly written, relies on beautiful images, easily digestible statistics and facts, and most importantly allows the narrative to be carried by the voices and perspectives of those who experienced the events and are the key players in the aftermath and creation of the 9/11 Memorial through poignant quotes and story-boxes (drawn from the 9/11 Memorial's extensive oral history collection :). It stands alone, but is actually a visually compelling and encompassing compliment to other work on the topic such as Goldberger's Up From Zero. If you only want to read one book about the story of memorializing 9/11, this should be it.
October 10, 2011
This was a very encompassing book. The efforts to build a memorial and the controversies surrounding it were well-documented, not shied away from. Having read this, I better understand why the memorial took the time it did to become a reality.
In the historical section of the book, Philippe Petit was mentioned, which made me smile. In my past life as a Kindergarten teacher, when September 11th rolled around, I would read The Man Who Walked Between The Towers.
In the historical section of the book, Philippe Petit was mentioned, which made me smile. In my past life as a Kindergarten teacher, when September 11th rolled around, I would read The Man Who Walked Between The Towers.
September 26, 2011
This was an amazing book..it was visually stunning as well as informative. Loved it..couldn't put it down..read it in under 2 days flat. This book also caused me to start thinking more seriously of my plans to make a trip to New York. Highly recommended book..but have your box of tissues handy :)
May 11, 2014
You could not help, but be moved. I was 8 years old when that tragic lost of life happened. Back the day, I barely know about 9/11 but the date and the two planes hitting the towers. But with this book, I learned everything from atrocity, to recovery, rebuilding and finally healing and hope. A truly great book. We should never forget!
April 23, 2012
This book is fascinating. Although I lost interest in the various ways of arranging of names on the memorial, this book gives a good overview of the cleanup of ground zero and the various stages of redeveloping the area-from skyscrapers to the 9/11 memorial.
July 22, 2020
Great book about the design and building of the National September 11 Memorial. My only disappointment was realizing this book was put out upon the dedication of the memorial and before the final building and design of the museum.
May 5, 2014
An excellent addition to the literature surrounding 9/11! In honor of the 10th anniversary, National Geographic had produced a wonderful book.
September 14, 2013
This book is very detailed about the complexities of building this impressive memorial.
February 24, 2018
Very captivating, emotional and knowledgeable. The book includes everything from when the towers were built, to that Tuesday day, to rescue and recovery, to the envisioning and building the memorial. I got the chills this afternoon reading about the number of people a specific company lost that day, the mention of some children that were lost that day, the about the controversy the memorial was to the families, the controversy of placing the names of each victim and reading stories about the victims. Although I had the chance to go visit the memorial in 2013, I hope one day soon I will be able to visit the 9/11 museum.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews