No Day Shall Erase You: The Story of 9/11 as Told at the September 11 Museum

by Alice M. Greenwald, Michael R. Bloomberg (Foreword)

Published to coincide with the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11, this book emphasizes the highlights of the museum’s interpretation of this somber day. This book is the definitive, official companion volume to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. It provides visitors with a lasting record of their experience at the museum, and tells the story of September 11 through essays on and photographs of the installations and thoughtfully curated artifacts that serve as touchstones to the day and its aftermath. It also provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse—through photographs and planning concepts—into the evolution of the museum from idea to finished entity. By maximizing the visual impact through the innovative use of photography and design, the book immerses the reader in the visceral emotion of both the museum and the day—September 11—itself. No Day Shall Erase You offers an authoritative narrative of 9/11, as it is presented in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and as told by Alice M. Greenwald, the museum’s director, and other key staff who planned and built the museum. Focusing on the historic impact of the event, No Day Shall Erase You recognizes the central importance 9/11 has in America’s national memory, as well as putting the day into context fifteen years later.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

226 pages, Hardcover

Published August 30, 2016

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more than just a recording of a museum's collection in print form, No Day Shall Erase You is a history of the museum itself, presenting the thought that goes into designing a modern museum, and the many unique challenges faced by this particular one. The book doesn't try to replicate the in-person experience, it supplements it and draws those, like me, who have never been there to visit.

Like the museum itself, the book presents a full picture of the happenings on 9/11/01 and 2/26/93. This includes events leading up to the attacks--without going too far back in history--and the ongoing aftermath, to present day. It has heart-breaking moments, without dwelling on the death and destruction. It reveals the faces of the perpetrators, without giving them further voice. It delicately places straightforward facts before the reader without encouraging generalizations, upholding the Museum's mission.

The many introductions and summaries by executives and officials could feel excessive to those of us who witnessed these dates, but what they say is true and worthwhile, and serve to educate the young people born in the two decades after 9/11.

There is no way to translate the audio offerings of the Museum, or its enormous visual spaces and artefacts, into an 8x10, 1-inch thick print volume. However, each set of pages has its own purpose, and engages the reader, asking them to think critically and artistically at the same time.

Very well done.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow-up after a visit to the museum and memorial.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource! It’s incredibly detailed, both about the artifacts and the events of 9/11. I’ll probably never make it to New York to see the memorial, I’m glad this resource is available.

[Servabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No day shall erase you from the memory of time."

"The historic importance of the site and its symbolism made it essential for us to find a balance between the collective and the individual experience. We relied on 4 principles to guide our work: memory, authenticity, scale and emotion, hoping to provide the most sensitive, respectful and informative experience for visitors."

"The soft sound of names being read by family and friends leads into In Memoriam, commemorating those killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Immediately conveying the enormity of loss, the wall of faces renders the number 2,983 an abstraction no longer."

On this wall, 7 peoples' pictures were replaced by an image of a leaf from a swamp white oak - the type of tree planted on the 9/11 Memorial - when no photogtaph was available. Up to this last moment, these 7 individuals remain anonymous. Just like that, they came and went. During this moment, their identities substituted by a leaf.

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I came back home from the library and decided to do some research on those 7 missing faces. Thank the Lord, they have all been identified. The portrait of Antonio Pratt filled the last vacancy on the wall, marking an end to the 16-year-long project.

May all these souls rest in peace.

[Sarah Oakey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I visited the 9/11 memorial museum in November 2017. For me it evoked such intense emotions, it was heartbreaking, graphic, startling and shocking. The museum has so much information and memorabilia, it has been put together so incredibly well but it shook me to my core, I felt like I had a heavy weight on my heart when I walked around it. I struggled to take it all on board. I needed to put some time and space between myself and the place by the end of my visit. I bought this book but didn't look at it for quite a few months after my visit, but Im so glad I bought it. I'm so glad I was able to pay my respects to the poor victims of this disaster and I'm glad to gain more insight into the way New York picked itself up, dusted itself off and carried on going. Amazing, book, amazing museum, amazing city.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The official book of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, written for the 15 year anniversary of 9/11. It’s a heartbreaking and important read.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a museum professional No Day Shall Erase You is a fantastic book. I greatly enjoyed reading the essays on how the 9/11 Memorial and Museum came to be. For me it was a great mix of learning how the Museum flows, how it makes visitor remember and reflect, how the layout of the museum was decided upon, and so many other museological things.
As a local of the Tri-State area and one who remembers the day of 9/11 so vividly the book is a great reflection on such a tragic day.
Like the Museum itself, No Day Shall Erase You is a great balance of reflection, education, and showing the humanity of those lost.
This book is perfect for both museum professionals and non-museum professionals such as visitors to the 9/11 who would like to further explore the museum and the day.

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book