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Two Towers: A Memoir
Sometimes, life pushes you to the brink. In his poignant memoir, Two Towers, T.D. Arkenberg navigates readers through a personal perfect storm. A resurgence of his father’s long-dormant cancer and chaos at his job in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks serve as the backdrop for a private struggle with a secret hidden for thirty-seven years. The story opens on Christmas Eve, 2001. Alone, he stands in his empty childhood home. Two months earlier, his father succumbed to cancer after a lengthy struggle. Five weeks after that painful loss, his mother’s unexpected death shattered his world. The double-barreled blast toppled his towers of strength and unconditional love at a time he was barely treading water. Only weeks before his parents’ deaths, his professional life descended into turmoil. Nineteen hijackers commandeered four commercial jets, unleashing unspeakable terror on US soil. Two towers collapsed into piles of twisted steel, a dusty grave for thousands of innocent souls. Two of the planes belonged to his employer. Eighteen colleagues were killed and thousands of others were soon without jobs. His leadership would never be more severely tested. Friends don’t know how he survives. Neither does he, especially with the added burden of a dark secret. As his world starts to crumble, fate offers a lifeline. Jim, a facilitator of a men’s coming-out group guides him through the process of accepting his sexuality. With towers collapsing around him, Jim might be able to save him from becoming another casualty. Two Towers stands as testament to duty and the power of love.
- GenresMemoir
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2017
20 people want to read
About the author
T.D. Arkenberg
9 books11 followersT.D. Arkenberg was born in Chicago and raised in the suburb of Arlington Heights. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University, majoring in English Literature & History. T.D. received a Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago, concentrating in Finance & Accounting with additional studies at The London Business School.
After 23 years working for a global airline T.D. left the corporate executive world behind to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He has published three novels. His first, Final Descent is the story of a airline in chaos, and the three men who battle for the company’s soul. His second, Jell-O and Jackie O is a poignant coming-of-age tale set in the late 1960s. A little boy escapes family struggles with the aid of an active imagination and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The book was awarded a Bronze Medal by Independent Publishers for best regional fiction. The same book was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. T.D.’s latest novel is None Shall Sleep. The book’s heroine declares that Opera is Life as she sets out to re-invent herself from management consultant to opera singer. The story, set in London and Italy, inspires and delights. An early draft of the novel was a short-list finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. For his next project, a memoir entitled, Two Towers, T.D. covers the catastrophic consequences of the events of September 11, 2001 on his employer, United Airlines and the near simultaneous deaths of his parents.
T.D. is an alumnus of Chicago’s two oldest writers groups, Off Campus Writers Workshop, and the Barrington Writers Workshop as well as the Brussels Writers Circle in Belgium. He also served on the board of the Barrington Chapter of The Lyric Opera of Chicago as the Program co-chair.
T.D., his spouse, and their Golden Retriever moved to Brussels, Belgium in January 2014. T.D. captured their adventures in his blog. In January of 2016, the couple, their Golden Retriever and a new addition, a cat named Puhi returned to their home in Chicago.
After 23 years working for a global airline T.D. left the corporate executive world behind to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He has published three novels. His first, Final Descent is the story of a airline in chaos, and the three men who battle for the company’s soul. His second, Jell-O and Jackie O is a poignant coming-of-age tale set in the late 1960s. A little boy escapes family struggles with the aid of an active imagination and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The book was awarded a Bronze Medal by Independent Publishers for best regional fiction. The same book was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. T.D.’s latest novel is None Shall Sleep. The book’s heroine declares that Opera is Life as she sets out to re-invent herself from management consultant to opera singer. The story, set in London and Italy, inspires and delights. An early draft of the novel was a short-list finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. For his next project, a memoir entitled, Two Towers, T.D. covers the catastrophic consequences of the events of September 11, 2001 on his employer, United Airlines and the near simultaneous deaths of his parents.
T.D. is an alumnus of Chicago’s two oldest writers groups, Off Campus Writers Workshop, and the Barrington Writers Workshop as well as the Brussels Writers Circle in Belgium. He also served on the board of the Barrington Chapter of The Lyric Opera of Chicago as the Program co-chair.
T.D., his spouse, and their Golden Retriever moved to Brussels, Belgium in January 2014. T.D. captured their adventures in his blog. In January of 2016, the couple, their Golden Retriever and a new addition, a cat named Puhi returned to their home in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2018
This book is simply astonishing. I expected honesty and bravery from an author who chose to write about grief, coming out, national tragedy and a twenty-year love story still in the making. What I didn’t expect was a journey so immersive, I read without stopping. There I was, preparing breakfast, with my Kindle perched on the table so I wouldn’t be pulled away from the beautifully written narrative.
Nearly every emotion makes its mark. There are moments of shock (the 9/11 attacks, the final breath of a parent) and moments of joy (first love). There are surprises. The author’s mother’s reaction to his coming out announcement was so unexpected, I laughed out loud. His father’s response brought tears to my eyes.
Two Towers prompted fond memories and new thoughts to ponder. If you read just one book this year, read this one.
Nearly every emotion makes its mark. There are moments of shock (the 9/11 attacks, the final breath of a parent) and moments of joy (first love). There are surprises. The author’s mother’s reaction to his coming out announcement was so unexpected, I laughed out loud. His father’s response brought tears to my eyes.
Two Towers prompted fond memories and new thoughts to ponder. If you read just one book this year, read this one.
January 13, 2018
Raw emotion with accurate detail.
This book eloquently and accurately captures the events at United during this time period, from balls supporting our communities to bankruptcy. Todd shares the challenges of caring for aging parents, corporate decisions and coming out in a society that did not fully support gay lifestyle. In my opinion this book accurately captures the outstanding individual that Todd is corporately, personally and creatively. Can't wait for more!
This book eloquently and accurately captures the events at United during this time period, from balls supporting our communities to bankruptcy. Todd shares the challenges of caring for aging parents, corporate decisions and coming out in a society that did not fully support gay lifestyle. In my opinion this book accurately captures the outstanding individual that Todd is corporately, personally and creatively. Can't wait for more!
January 19, 2018
I finished reading the memoir in two days. Two Towers is a courageous story of three shattering challenges colliding.
As a young man Todd Arkenberg throws himself into academics and carefully crafts his good kid image, all the while feeling different. As a man he is a diligent United Airlines employee, able to climb the corporate ladder. Being different in the shadows brings loneliness, and Todd wishes to tell his family and friends that he is gay. But the 1990s have limitations to tolerance, and he worries about the repercussions. And his father is fighting for his life. Will his parents be disappointed? In small steps, Todd meets supportive people and learns to expand his own definition of good. Then the third challenge explodes on the scene: 9/11.
Arkenberg takes us behind the scenes at United as employees share the heartbreak of losing passengers and crews. For Arkenberg, this epic tragedy comes at the time his father passes away.
The memoir is beautifully written with a simple voice of an outsider curious about how to find his path. It is honest about the challenges all of us face in finding love. Arkenberg provides a rich description of little moments: an airplane tipping its wings, his father sneaking cookies out of a cancer meeting (Todd, my mother also lifted a few), or a woman recommending a restaurant because she slept with the chef. Through all the confusing expectations of others, he wishes he had a mentor to help him navigate the new world he envisions.
Two Towers may track three painful ordeals, but it does so with hope, strength, and love.
As a young man Todd Arkenberg throws himself into academics and carefully crafts his good kid image, all the while feeling different. As a man he is a diligent United Airlines employee, able to climb the corporate ladder. Being different in the shadows brings loneliness, and Todd wishes to tell his family and friends that he is gay. But the 1990s have limitations to tolerance, and he worries about the repercussions. And his father is fighting for his life. Will his parents be disappointed? In small steps, Todd meets supportive people and learns to expand his own definition of good. Then the third challenge explodes on the scene: 9/11.
Arkenberg takes us behind the scenes at United as employees share the heartbreak of losing passengers and crews. For Arkenberg, this epic tragedy comes at the time his father passes away.
The memoir is beautifully written with a simple voice of an outsider curious about how to find his path. It is honest about the challenges all of us face in finding love. Arkenberg provides a rich description of little moments: an airplane tipping its wings, his father sneaking cookies out of a cancer meeting (Todd, my mother also lifted a few), or a woman recommending a restaurant because she slept with the chef. Through all the confusing expectations of others, he wishes he had a mentor to help him navigate the new world he envisions.
Two Towers may track three painful ordeals, but it does so with hope, strength, and love.
January 15, 2018
A must read, Two Towers a Memoir by T.D.Arkenberg. A beautifully written love story of a man, for his ailing parents and the love of his life. Throw in first hand accounts of the challenges United Airlines faced during the years 1998-2008. I stopped twice with only 10 pages left as I just didn’t want it to end. Get it on Amazon in hardcover or Kindle. This book now rates as my most favorite.
July 12, 2018
Candid and smart
A touching and well-written story. An emotional and deeply touching read about a very smart and candid man with his life partner.
The author takes you by the hand in his world and you feel each and every emotions until the end.
A touching and well-written story. An emotional and deeply touching read about a very smart and candid man with his life partner.
The author takes you by the hand in his world and you feel each and every emotions until the end.
August 19, 2018
Truly inspirational and heart warning story. Colorful and personal throughout. Arkenberg has a wonderful style that is connective, fast moving, and touching.
May 13, 2019
This book is totally mis-titled. I had thought I would be reading a book about 9/11, but the attacks are not even mentioned until the last 60 pages. It should have been titled “Diary of an Adult”.
December 22, 2018
I loved this memoir, so entertaining. It made me smile and made me cry. It was a courageous book about the struggle of coming out of the closest. Also a chronicle of his career in the airline industry pre/post 9/11, and most importantly a beautiful tribute from a son to his parents . So happy that the author was able to find true love, with a wonderful loving partner that he so richly deserved! Highly recommend!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews