Called: Hello, My Name Is Mrs. Jefferson. I Understand Your Plane Is Being Hijacked. 9:45 Am, Flight 93, September 11, 2001

by Lisa D. Jefferson, Felicia Middlebrooks

With one ring of the phone, Lisa Jefferson went from being GTE Airfone supervisor, suburban wife, and mother to being the listening ear to a nation shattered by tragedy. Called tells the gripping account of 9/11 from her vantage point. She recalls the moment she took the call from Todd Beamer on United Airlines Flight 93, and when she heard the immortal words, "Let's Roll.” She remembers the way that her life was transformed vividly when she responded to the call. Jefferson sends a stirring challenge to all of us--whether it comes during quiet obscurity or international adversity, we must be prepared to answer God's call.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Christianity, American History

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kristine (The Writer's Inkwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review was originally posted on The Writer's Inkwell
I found this book to be both tragic and inspiring. For all of America, the world changed on September 11, 2001. But for Lisa Jefferson, her experience was beyond that of the average American. The last thing she expected on that fateful day was to be tied to the tragedy that was unfolding in such a personal way. Yet, that is exactly what happened when she realized one of her call center operators was not prepared to handle the call at her station.

Without hesitation, Lisa takes over the call and speaks to a passenger by the name of Todd Beamer on the hijacked United 93. Upon reading her story, it becomes clear that faith plays a large part in Lisa’s life and it is this faith that helped her in the months following September 11. She never expected to hear the last moments of the flight and yet, in the wake of the tragedy, she has found courage in her faith and the knowledge that God had planned this for her and for Todd. She find comfort in the knowledge that God guided her to take over that phone call so that Todd would have someone who could be a calming force before he and the passengers decided to fight back. She even found comfort in being able to relay a final message to Todd’s pregnant wife, who ironically is also named Lisa.

I was touched by her story and the way she found strength to come to terms to what happened on that fateful day. She is an inspiration in the fact that she continued to move forward and try to heal. Furthermore, she’s been able to help piece together more pieces of what happened on that flight. Because of her story and those of the others who were contacted from the passengers on the plane, their courage and sacrifice will forever be remembered.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read of her perspective and experience speaking to Todd Beamer on 9/11. Concise and to the point of the events, no sense in wasting space and time with the rest that everyone already knows. Except for when people 50 years from now read it, the details will not be so fresh.
I appreciated her Christian point of view and the acknowledgement that He placed her in such a time as that- and equipped her to be steady and supportive to Todd, his wife Lisa, and so many others in her own circle.
Page 105 "God is more concerned about our availability that He is our ability. "
Page 109-110 " I believe that God uses situations and circumstances to mold us into conformance into his image like a Potter shapes and molds clay clay. Being on the spinning wheel can sometimes be dizzying. Sometimes bits of clay fall off the wheel to the floor in moist clumps of nothingness and sometimes the pressure of becoming pliable in the potter's hands is painful- but the end result is a beautiful vessel that can be used mightily by God to strengthen, to edify, to encourage, to instill hope and trust.... and ultimately bear witness of God's awesome power and wonder. Surrendering all takes time."

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was short and an extremely quick read. It brought tears to my eyes a few times - especially after I closed the book and thought back to all she had said, and my own memories of that day. Mrs. Jefferson's book outlines the lives of many - not just her own - who continue to live through the tragedy. I'm glad she shared her story, and I hope it helped her to do so.

[Mike Elder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm torn on this one ... Part of me doesn't think this book needed to be written, but at the same time, who am I to define somebody's elses grieving / coping needs ...

[Bethany Godwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very poignant book, depicting the experience of one one woman who found herself drawn into the events of 9/11. I liked it and found the voice to be very relatable. However, I must warn potential readers that it is heavily influenced by her faith in God, so if you're not interested in hearing how she feels that God was a driving force in her experience, and that of 9/11 as a whole, then this won't be a book for you. Also, I'd been hoping to use it as reference material for a book I'm writing about United 93 and found that it wasn't that sort of book. It wasn't so much about her time talking to Todd Beamer as how that affected her life. So if you're looking for something that will give you more insight into what happened on the plane, this won't be for you, either.

[Ktmholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Jefferson was the phone operator who spoke for fifteen incredible minutes to passenger Todd Beamer on United flight 93, just before he and the other passengers took on the 9/11 terrorists and the plane crashed in Shanksville, PA. In shock after the conversation ended, Lisa’s life became part of a media circus after the press discovered the part she played. However, it was her religious faith that kept her going, especially after meeting Todd’s family, and she describes how she discovered her future life ‘calling.’ The last section includes memorials from family members of other Flight 93 victims.
A quick read, but also a gut-wrenching, heart-warming story.

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was heart wrenching, even after all these years , I was rather disappointed in it.
I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn't this.
And yet, I don't really know what else it could have been. I appreciate Lisa Jefferson for sharing her experience, and I felt the depth of her convictions, sorrow, and determination to make each day better after her 9/11 experience.

[Ruth York · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always try to read (or start reading) a book pertaining to 9/11 each year. This year, I picked Called. I liked this one, but not as much as others I've read. It was a short book, by the operator who talked to Todd Beame, a passenger on Flight 93. I could never imagine taking a call like that, or the emotions that a person would feel.

[Caitie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concise and to the point, but there wasn’t anything I didn’t already know from seeing Lisa Jefferson interviewed on various documentaries. I think was just expecting more from this one, instead it read like an outline. Still sad and Ms. Jefferson is a hero for getting information from an hijacked aircraft—I do applaud her.

[Sue Summerill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very inspiring!!!

This book was easy to read and understand. I don't think any of us will ever forget 9-11. God bless the author for sharing her story. God bless all of the people who lost their loved ones i n this tragedy. Forever we will grieve and remember.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread. Really good history type book on Flight 93 on 9/11.

[Marelda Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Inspirational

I liked her honesty and humility. I also enjoyed reading about her connection with Lisa Beamer. A lovely piece of the tragedy puzzle.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short read. The account of the Airphone operator that was on the phone with a passenger during the hi-jacking and crash of Flight 93 on 9/11. Very moving.

[JoAnn W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story being told in this book, but the entire time I just felt that the author never needed to write this book. I felt that maybe she was using this terrible tragedy as a means to make money. I acknowledge her experience and the trauma it caused, but this book felt… off.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a good friend. It is based on real life events that made American History for this generation. I would recommend this book to people who work in public safety as well as citizens and history buffs. It puts in perspective real life events dispatchers, E911 staff, police, fire and EMS workers face each day and how you never know whats on the other end of the phone or a call being responded to. It shows how you never know where life will take you from one moment to the next. The question after reading this book is what would you do if you were in any of the situations?

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick and tear-jerking read of Lisa Jefferson's personal experience with the 9-11 tragedy. I enjoyed Mrs. Jefferson's account and glad she had her faith to get her through, there is just one thing that lowered the stars for me, that was when she said that she felt the pain of Todd Beamer's wife, Lisa. She has no idea and should not have said that. She came into Todd's life for a brief, but agonizing 15 minutes, this cannot compare to the pain of Lisa Beamer as she learned of her husband and father of her children's fate. While I'm not disagreeing that she was in horrific emotional pain, I just don't agree with her comparing herself to Todd's wife.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read about the Verizon Wireless operator who spoke to Todd Beamer on Flight 93 during the last minutes of his life. I didn't really learn anything new about Todd or the people on the plane. The book is more about how this call affected Lisa Jefferson's life. I'd never thought of that perspective before. How could it not change her life?

The book does express Conservative Christian views--but I knew that going in.

I found the book to be touching and easy to read.

[Noble Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't anything she could do... other than to hold onto the receiver and pray that this nightmare would pass. Mrs. Lisa D. Jefferson's recollection's of that fateful day is meant to give the reader a glimpse into one of 9/11's tragedies. It was meant to be read quickly, fast pace and then a sudden stop, allowing readers to reflect just how tragic and short the events happening on Flight 93.
This is a tragedy that will haunt America for years to come.
3 stars out of 5.

[Mari Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a little different than I expected. It turns into more of a spiritual journey than one built on facts and information. I do feel that Lisa was guided in her conversation with Todd Beamer, making it bearable for her to handle. It was an interesting book showing the tragedy from a new perspective, and a VERY quick read!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. Just reading on how she kept her calm as best she could, but really relied on her Faith to get her through her own personal aftermath.
I read it in a couple of hours, and found it an amazing story.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick and easy book to read about the events of flight 93's Let's Roll call and the person who received it - nice read.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5.

[Shani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short but a good story.

[Rowland · Rating 1 out of 5]

A completely phoney book. Not even worth opening, or reading the ridiculous, lying title.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Thought provoking. Amazing how Lisa could maintain her composure during her conversation with Todd Beamer