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Refined by Fire: A Family's Triumph of Love and Faith
2005 Gold Medallion Award finalist!
When hijacked American Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, LTC (RET) Brian Birdwell was only 15 to 20 yards away. He stepped out into the corridor and was instantly engulfed in flames―burns consumed 60 percent of his body, with almost 40 percent of them third-degree. Thirty-plus operations and countless physical therapy sessions later, his recovery has truly been remarkable, and spiritually he and his family are stronger than ever before. Brian and his wife, Mel, tell their captivating story of God's grace and sovereignty.
When hijacked American Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, LTC (RET) Brian Birdwell was only 15 to 20 yards away. He stepped out into the corridor and was instantly engulfed in flames―burns consumed 60 percent of his body, with almost 40 percent of them third-degree. Thirty-plus operations and countless physical therapy sessions later, his recovery has truly been remarkable, and spiritually he and his family are stronger than ever before. Brian and his wife, Mel, tell their captivating story of God's grace and sovereignty.
266 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 29, 2009
I loved all the miracles the Lord made happen in this man's life.
May 9, 2015
I don't come from an evangelical background, but this stirring look at the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon lends a personal face to the 757 crash into the Pentagon. Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell and his wife relate the trials and tribulations the experienced when Brian was burned over 60 percent of his body as he came from a restroom. The Birdwells share every step of the way as they deal with Brian's horrific injuries and the family's faith that helped pull them through.
I particularly liked the quotes from scripture that reminded them of God's promises and related words of comfort and strength.
I particularly liked the quotes from scripture that reminded them of God's promises and related words of comfort and strength.
August 22, 2013
An amazing personal testimony by a Christian man working at ground zero of the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001.
September 19, 2010
Wow, um, there are so many ways to describe this book. I found it life inspiring mostly. Some parts made me tear up because it is just that sad and amazing at what God did for their lives.
Can you imagine being a soldier in the Army standing 15 to 20 yards away from the target of terrorists on 9/11? To have 60% of your body burned by fire, with 40% of those THIRD DEGREE BURNS? I know I can't, and I pray to God that I never will.
The physical and emotional pain he went through is incredible.
God was with him every step of the way in the Pentagon, and in all of those surgeries and rehabs he went through. It is just AMAZING at what God can do for people in such a hard time.
Have you ever imagined all of the things you take for granted? Perhaps the things you have come up with have been having a home, food, going to school, things like that, but I know that NONE of ya'll have ever once put being able to feed yourself, give yourself a bath, to dress yourself, or to even be able to button your shirt up, on that list. Those were things that he could not do after 9/11. He had to have others do them for him.
Through it all though, he stayed close and with God. He never once thought "Why me God? Why?" That is just AMAZING!
This was just a very moving book. I am definitely glad that I chose this book for my book report book.
Can you imagine being a soldier in the Army standing 15 to 20 yards away from the target of terrorists on 9/11? To have 60% of your body burned by fire, with 40% of those THIRD DEGREE BURNS? I know I can't, and I pray to God that I never will.
The physical and emotional pain he went through is incredible.
God was with him every step of the way in the Pentagon, and in all of those surgeries and rehabs he went through. It is just AMAZING at what God can do for people in such a hard time.
Have you ever imagined all of the things you take for granted? Perhaps the things you have come up with have been having a home, food, going to school, things like that, but I know that NONE of ya'll have ever once put being able to feed yourself, give yourself a bath, to dress yourself, or to even be able to button your shirt up, on that list. Those were things that he could not do after 9/11. He had to have others do them for him.
Through it all though, he stayed close and with God. He never once thought "Why me God? Why?" That is just AMAZING!
This was just a very moving book. I am definitely glad that I chose this book for my book report book.
March 16, 2015
The authors tell the amazing story of Colonel Birdwell's life-threatening and excruciatingly painful burn injuries from the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11. Brian suffered the physical pain, but Mel suffered other kinds of pain as she served as his advocate and caregiver. Their abiding faith and commitment to the Lord and to each other gave them the strength to endure the trauma they endured. They were very honest about their own human weaknesses, leaning on God whose strength is sufficient. An incredible story that kept me turning pages as quickly as I could.
October 16, 2008
Remarkable story. This man was yards away from the plane when it landed in the Pentagon and he survived. But not without trials. He and his wife talk about their, story, trials, and faith in God during September 11th and the life they lived after. Some of the details of his injuries are gruesome and are not for the weak. It really helped me gain a deeper compassion for burn victims.
November 22, 2009
Memories from LTC (RET) Brian Birdwell who was in the Pentagon on 9/11 when terrorists flew a 757 feet from his office. Anyone who thinks that we should not be at war should read this book. There are many more innocent families the terrorist's tried to destroy that day, this man and his family was not destroyed.
February 25, 2016
Refined by Fire is a story of one family's tragic experience on the events of 9/11. A story of survival and victory, and a story of God's faithfulness!
In the midst of All God was always Glorified! An excellent story of faith in the hardest moments. I highly recommend reading this book.
- Brian Birdwell and Mel Birdwell
In the midst of All God was always Glorified! An excellent story of faith in the hardest moments. I highly recommend reading this book.
- Brian Birdwell and Mel Birdwell
March 27, 2018
Really good story told from the perspective of both husband and wife after a man got burnt on 90% of his body after the plane hit the pentagon in 2011. His fascinating journey back, and what got him through is worth the read. A bit explicit on describing the burn injuries, but that made it more realistic as well, so I think it was important.
September 16, 2010
story of a man that was in the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. He was burned over almost all his body, had to have alot of skin grafts. How the Lord worked in his and his wife's lives. He is now a senator in Texas
October 22, 2014
Brian Birdwell was a serving military officer at the Pentagon when the 9/11 attack occurred. Standing just yards from the impact point where the airlines crashed into the building, he was severely burned. This is the story of his recovery as well as how he and his family coped.
August 13, 2016
An inspiring read that glorifies God throughout and shows His hand in the miracles surrounding a man who was severely injured during the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon. The courage and faith shown by both him and his wife is wonderful. This book tells of their journey.
September 11, 2015
An emotionally riveting account of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon by LtCol Brian Birdwell and his wife Mel. He was 20 yards from the impact point and was severely burned but survived. This book documents their struggle and faithful response to this terrible event.
May 1, 2008
This book is about a man who was in the Pentagon on 9-11 and almost died. He tells his story of pain and hope and of God's hand in saving him.
August 6, 2008
Incredible book about perseverance through overwhelming odds and seeing God's hand and miracles and growth through out.
October 4, 2009
A compelling story of Brian Birdwell's recovery from 60% burns over his body after the 9/11 pentagon tragedy. The faith of he and his wife will inspire everyone.
September 27, 2010
Courage, faith, and the sheer will to survive are the hallmarks of this moving book.
November 25, 2010
great book on 9-11 about a guy who was burned in the bombing of the Pentagon...
August 29, 2011
Very good but warning the burn treatment scenes are very graphic. My mother is a nurse and she said that the actual treatment can be even worse than described .
Very well written.
Very well written.
October 17, 2011
Deeply moving account of the suffering and lessons learned by LTC Birdwell after suffering 60% burns from the American Airlines flight that flew into the Pentagon on 9-11.
November 10, 2011
Great inside story of what really happened on the inside, and how it really affected America
August 16, 2012
Sad but true! A remarkable man in remarkable circumstances.
July 8, 2014
Amazing, amazing story. Made me cry for what he and his wife suffered. What a testament to the power of the human spirit.
January 18, 2016
Amazing story of God's protection. I even had the privilege of hearing Brian Birdwell speak at a local church after reading this book. He signed my copy of the book.
December 30, 2018
Very inspiring. Amazing. More couples should be this commited.
March 24, 2020
4 1/2 stars. This is the first book I have read from a survivor of the Pentagon 9/11 tragedy. As I was reading I was thinking about the fact that the young people graduating from high school this year were not alive in 2001. Now they have their own tragedy with the Corona virus. This is the story of courage, victory and faith. The story is gripping and you will find yourself weeping, smiling and cheering for the family of Brian Birdwell.
June 13, 2023
Refined by Fire tells the story of Brian Birdwell horrific escape from the Pentagon crash on 9/11. He was only 15-20 yards away and 60% of his body was burned by fire with 40% of those third degree burns. To read the suffering the whole family endured in the aftermath of the attack was heart rendering. Despite the tragedy, God did work (Chapter 20 "Where Was God?") This book gave me a deeper appreciation for burn victims.
December 19, 2021
excellent book - but not for the squeamish. The author goes into detail about the extent of his injuries and the pain associated with the care. But it's part of the story. To gloss over that would do the story a disservice I believe.
Very inspiring story of how Brian and his loved ones supported him and he fought through to help others.
Very inspiring story of how Brian and his loved ones supported him and he fought through to help others.
September 10, 2022
We can NEVER forget 9/11, not those that lost their lives, however there are so many that survived & live each day with the scars. It is how you face those scars, gratefully this amazing man & his family placed their lives in God’s hands & He has given them the strength & courage to survive. THIS IS A MUST READ!!!
January 4, 2021
Such a good book about the challenges that Brian and Mel Birdwell went through after the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. I love how it would go back and forth between them as Brian went though what was happening to him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews