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Among the Heroes: United Flight 93 and the Passengers and Crew Who Fought Back
Of the four horrific hijackings on September 11, Flight 93, which crashed in a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, resonates as one of epic resistance. The passengers' battle to take back the plane brought consolation to countless confused and grief-stricken witnesses to the horror. September 11 is a tragic day to be remembered by all, but Flight 93 is its symbol of hope and bravery.
As we helplessly watched two planes fly into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon, a story of human resilience and sacrifice took place on Flight 93. 'Among the Heroes' is the definitive account of Flight 93's last doomed moments by Jere Longman, the New York Times reporter who covered the story from the crash site. He reconstructs a blow-by-blow narrative, profiling the hijackers and all the courageous passengers and crew, including Mark Bingham, Jeremy Glick and Todd Beamer, who were aware from calls made to their loved ones of the attacks on the World Trade Center and knew they were likely to suffer a similar fate, possibly killing thousands of innocent people in the process.
Collating all the available material, eyewitness interviews, desperate last phone calls to family and the captain's tape, 'Among the Heroes' is a gripping account of a real life and death drama, a story of heroic struggle and brave decisions, full of intense emotion. These ordinary people fought back, conscious that this was the only chance to save themselves and to avoid being used as a weapon of destruction in the hands of the terrorists.
As we helplessly watched two planes fly into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon, a story of human resilience and sacrifice took place on Flight 93. 'Among the Heroes' is the definitive account of Flight 93's last doomed moments by Jere Longman, the New York Times reporter who covered the story from the crash site. He reconstructs a blow-by-blow narrative, profiling the hijackers and all the courageous passengers and crew, including Mark Bingham, Jeremy Glick and Todd Beamer, who were aware from calls made to their loved ones of the attacks on the World Trade Center and knew they were likely to suffer a similar fate, possibly killing thousands of innocent people in the process.
Collating all the available material, eyewitness interviews, desperate last phone calls to family and the captain's tape, 'Among the Heroes' is a gripping account of a real life and death drama, a story of heroic struggle and brave decisions, full of intense emotion. These ordinary people fought back, conscious that this was the only chance to save themselves and to avoid being used as a weapon of destruction in the hands of the terrorists.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2002
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966 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 23, 2016
This was a decent read, taking in the details of the events of 9/II involving United Flight 93, whose brave passengers tackled the terrorists in a heroic attempt to spoil the plans for crashing it back in Washington. I've always found that reading about or watching the docs about survivor or victim stories is very emotional for me. These were ordinary people who saved the lives of others and deserve to be called heroes.
A good book for anyone wanting to read more about Flight 93.
A good book for anyone wanting to read more about Flight 93.
January 26, 2023
My daughter was born 9/11/13. I was able to bring life into the world on the anniversy of great loss … I went to see the United 93 Memorial this year, on my birthday in Nov. I had been to this location before … a couple years after 9/11/01…. I cant put into words this book … I reccomend reading it … and letting it take you into your own feels, whatever those may be.
September 28, 2017
Incredibly compelling, Among the Heroes: United Fight 93 and the Passengers and Crew Who Fought Back tells the story of the first battle in the war on terror. The book recounts the fateful events of September 11, 2001, when a group of passengers aboard a commercial airliner fought back against a group of Middle Eastern hijackers who were part of an organized multipronged attack on America. However, contrary to popular opinion, author Jere Longman contends that the passengers weren’t ordinary, everyday Americans. Rather, by chance or providence, they were the exact right people needed to face such an unprecedented crisis. As Longman works through the timeline of events, he provides a peak into the lives of various passengers and crew (their careers, home lives, interests and hobbies, etc.). And through this he’s able to put a face to them, and make them relatable to the reader. Among the Heroes: United Fight 93 and the Passengers and Crew Who Fought Back provides an intimate look at those who were involved in this tragedy and reveals that those who answered the call that day were far from ordinary, they were extraordinary and represented the best of who we are as Americans.
September 21, 2017
Does a great job of recognizing each individual passenger on the doomed United 93, giving a mini-biography and drawing connections where others may have overlooked. I don't feel I learned too much more about what actually happened on the flight itself - the basics are known, but much still remains conjecture - however, it's an important read in showing that these people, like everyone else who died on September 11, were just ordinary citizens thrust into an unimaginable situation. They choose to act based on the little information they had, unable to know what a difference they made. I was saddened on reflecting how united we were as a nation afterward and how, just 16 years later, we seem so divided and so far from that sense of brotherhood.
June 17, 2023
I've read several books about 9/11. This is the best. It is the story of the passengers and crew of United Flight 93. I've read it three times - and I'm sure I'll read it again.
November 29, 2020
This is an excellent book about the passengers on Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville, PA and the heroes on the flight which brought the plane down in PA rather than allowing the terrorists to crash it into the Capitol Building or the White House.
I recommend this book
I recommend this book
June 27, 2014
September 11 is a date etched into almost everybody's memory and although a lot of the attention is quite rightly focussed on the destruction of the World Trade Centre and the attack on the Pentagon, Flight 93 also played a major part in the day's drama.
Hijacked by four, or some think three, terrorists the plane was flown off route, probably intended to fly to Washington to attack the White House. The valiant passengers and crew had other ideas and fought back as best they could with the result that the plane eventually crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania with no loss of life on the ground. And while the drama was unfolding the passengers would have known that this was to be their fate, so how they handled it is nothing short of marvellous.
Jere Longman spent many hours studying transcripts of tapes and conducting interviews with the relatives of the deceased and the result is a sympathetically written, but absolutely heart-rending, account of the events as they unfolded. Of course, no one knows exactly what happened on board the aircraft but the many telephone calls that were made to dependants and the recorded accounts from the flight deck do leave pointers.
The author traces every passenger and crew member and relates how they eventually ended up on Flight 93 - and some of them had other options but found themselves there - and also speaks with almost all the relatives to hear their accounts of the tragedy.
Amazingly many of the relatives had bad jibes about the flight well in advance and some even tried to persuade their partners, wives, husbands, children, friends to change their flight. Sadly for the 40 people, excluding the terrorists, who were killed they didn't do so.
When reading the book, just make sure that plenty of tissues are handy, they will be needed for this heroic tale.
Hijacked by four, or some think three, terrorists the plane was flown off route, probably intended to fly to Washington to attack the White House. The valiant passengers and crew had other ideas and fought back as best they could with the result that the plane eventually crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania with no loss of life on the ground. And while the drama was unfolding the passengers would have known that this was to be their fate, so how they handled it is nothing short of marvellous.
Jere Longman spent many hours studying transcripts of tapes and conducting interviews with the relatives of the deceased and the result is a sympathetically written, but absolutely heart-rending, account of the events as they unfolded. Of course, no one knows exactly what happened on board the aircraft but the many telephone calls that were made to dependants and the recorded accounts from the flight deck do leave pointers.
The author traces every passenger and crew member and relates how they eventually ended up on Flight 93 - and some of them had other options but found themselves there - and also speaks with almost all the relatives to hear their accounts of the tragedy.
Amazingly many of the relatives had bad jibes about the flight well in advance and some even tried to persuade their partners, wives, husbands, children, friends to change their flight. Sadly for the 40 people, excluding the terrorists, who were killed they didn't do so.
When reading the book, just make sure that plenty of tissues are handy, they will be needed for this heroic tale.
June 10, 2017
On September 11, 2001, there was one plane that didn't reach its target. This is due to the actions of the passengers and crew on board who, in speaking with their family members and discovering what was happening in New York and Washington, realized that they were very likely going to die and decided to work together to change the outcome. We did lose 40 good people on that flight, but their deaths were not in vain.
Jere Longman tells us about the people who were on United 93. We read about their hopes and dreams, their successes and failures and, as much as can be determined, what their final moments were like. Most of the families participated in this project, and use was made of materials that came to light afterward, such as the hijackers' manual with instructions as to how the murderers were meant to proceed.
I've been to Shanksville, PA and I've stood at that site and said my prayers. I've felt the impotent rage of knowing that so many innocent people were killed that day and there was nothing that I could have done to prevent it. Thanks to reading this, got to learn about 40 people who did do something about it. I have no idea if I could rise to the occasion as these people managed to do; I can only be grateful that they did.
Jere Longman tells us about the people who were on United 93. We read about their hopes and dreams, their successes and failures and, as much as can be determined, what their final moments were like. Most of the families participated in this project, and use was made of materials that came to light afterward, such as the hijackers' manual with instructions as to how the murderers were meant to proceed.
I've been to Shanksville, PA and I've stood at that site and said my prayers. I've felt the impotent rage of knowing that so many innocent people were killed that day and there was nothing that I could have done to prevent it. Thanks to reading this, got to learn about 40 people who did do something about it. I have no idea if I could rise to the occasion as these people managed to do; I can only be grateful that they did.
June 11, 2008
I worked for a family that had a member on this flight and a part of the book is about her, so I was excited to read it because I felt like I had some what of a personal connection. The beginning of the book was interesting but after that I found my skipping through most of the book and only reading a few sentences. I was very disappointed in this book. Others may read it and cry from start to finish.
August 1, 2022
They accomplished what security guards and military pilots and government officials could not—they impeded the terrorists, giving their lives and allowing hundreds or thousands of others to live.
On September 11, 2001, a group of forty people who didn't know each other banded together to save themselves and others from terrorists. United Airlines Flight 93 was supposed to be a routine flight from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco. However, it was not a routine flight at all, because four hijackers were on board with the intention to crash the plane into what is now believed to be the US Capital building in Washington DC. The people on Flight 93 were ordinary people, going about their ordinary lives when the terrible events of 9/11 happened. But because the flight took off about forty minutes late, and because many passengers called loved ones, they knew about the other crashes/attacks so they decided to do something--fight back.
We do know that air traffic control got a mayday message from the cockpit as the hijacking began. It is believed that the co-pilot, LeRoy Homer, was shouting: "Mayday! Mayday! Get out of here! Get out of here!" Homer, along with pilot Jason Dahl, were most likely killed right away by the hijackers in order to gain control of the cockpit so they could fly the plane back to its target. With the pilots dead, it would be easier to control the passengers...or so they thought. The first class flight attendant was also killed in the melee, along with first class passenger Mickey Rothenberg (who probably tried to stand up to the hijackers and talk them down and was killed in a show of force).
Many of the passenger's families got phone calls from their loved ones, including Tom Burnett, Jeremy Glick, Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer. They, along with other passengers, were forming a plan of attack, they couldn't just sit by and be killed. We have Todd Beamer's famous quote: "Are you guys ready? Okay, let's roll!" Based on the plane's recorders, we know that the passengers did breach the cockpit by battering the drink cart into the door. Two men on the flight, Donald Greene and Andy Garcia, did have knowledge of planes. Greene knew how to fly and Garcia had been an air traffic controller in the military, but it's unclear if part of the plan was to install these two after removing the hijackers (but they were probably thinking about doing just that).
Anyway, these were people who scarified themselves to save others. Like I said, they didn't know each other, but decided to take action and ended up saving the lives of countless others in the nation's capital.
On September 11, 2001, a group of forty people who didn't know each other banded together to save themselves and others from terrorists. United Airlines Flight 93 was supposed to be a routine flight from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco. However, it was not a routine flight at all, because four hijackers were on board with the intention to crash the plane into what is now believed to be the US Capital building in Washington DC. The people on Flight 93 were ordinary people, going about their ordinary lives when the terrible events of 9/11 happened. But because the flight took off about forty minutes late, and because many passengers called loved ones, they knew about the other crashes/attacks so they decided to do something--fight back.
We do know that air traffic control got a mayday message from the cockpit as the hijacking began. It is believed that the co-pilot, LeRoy Homer, was shouting: "Mayday! Mayday! Get out of here! Get out of here!" Homer, along with pilot Jason Dahl, were most likely killed right away by the hijackers in order to gain control of the cockpit so they could fly the plane back to its target. With the pilots dead, it would be easier to control the passengers...or so they thought. The first class flight attendant was also killed in the melee, along with first class passenger Mickey Rothenberg (who probably tried to stand up to the hijackers and talk them down and was killed in a show of force).
Many of the passenger's families got phone calls from their loved ones, including Tom Burnett, Jeremy Glick, Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer. They, along with other passengers, were forming a plan of attack, they couldn't just sit by and be killed. We have Todd Beamer's famous quote: "Are you guys ready? Okay, let's roll!" Based on the plane's recorders, we know that the passengers did breach the cockpit by battering the drink cart into the door. Two men on the flight, Donald Greene and Andy Garcia, did have knowledge of planes. Greene knew how to fly and Garcia had been an air traffic controller in the military, but it's unclear if part of the plan was to install these two after removing the hijackers (but they were probably thinking about doing just that).
Anyway, these were people who scarified themselves to save others. Like I said, they didn't know each other, but decided to take action and ended up saving the lives of countless others in the nation's capital.
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August 25, 2017I'm not going to rate this book bc I know someone whose husband died on Flight 93 and I know someone who lost his life to the flames or smoke (it doesn't matter which it was, dead is still dead) inside Tower 1, the first building attacked.
I've never been that thrilled that people decided to set aside two groups of those who died, rescue workers and those attached to Flight 93, and called them heroic while implying through what they didn't say that nobody else who was killed was a hero that day.
That doesn't bother me out of "jealousy" but is due to a specific event. After I met a person who was supposed to be helping me (he worked for 9/11 Mental Health Services on their helpline) told me that when people in the Towers died "the way it happened was so embarrassing God didn't let them into heaven when they got to the other side." He didn't think it about rescue workers or people on Flight 93, only the ones who worked in the Towers, at the Pentagon & on the 3 other planes who "didn't do anything to save themselves" which is what he believed would've embarrassed God so much.
Since then I've been even less interested in the hero worship (which is what I believe people do) of rescue workers and the people on Flight 93. Even if God were embarrassed (and I don't know if he is) I think it's ridiculously insensitive to tell the person's family about it, especially when your task is to comfort 9/11 family and friends but oh well. I'm just saying how I feel about it, and I am a little upset about it. I don't even know how the hell they KNOW he wasn't a hero. They weren't WITH him in his last moments, and I don't think he ever DID learn what had happened. He thought an accident had occurred of something blowing up. Well he was half right anyway. Something blew up all right.
I've never been that thrilled that people decided to set aside two groups of those who died, rescue workers and those attached to Flight 93, and called them heroic while implying through what they didn't say that nobody else who was killed was a hero that day.
That doesn't bother me out of "jealousy" but is due to a specific event. After I met a person who was supposed to be helping me (he worked for 9/11 Mental Health Services on their helpline) told me that when people in the Towers died "the way it happened was so embarrassing God didn't let them into heaven when they got to the other side." He didn't think it about rescue workers or people on Flight 93, only the ones who worked in the Towers, at the Pentagon & on the 3 other planes who "didn't do anything to save themselves" which is what he believed would've embarrassed God so much.
Since then I've been even less interested in the hero worship (which is what I believe people do) of rescue workers and the people on Flight 93. Even if God were embarrassed (and I don't know if he is) I think it's ridiculously insensitive to tell the person's family about it, especially when your task is to comfort 9/11 family and friends but oh well. I'm just saying how I feel about it, and I am a little upset about it. I don't even know how the hell they KNOW he wasn't a hero. They weren't WITH him in his last moments, and I don't think he ever DID learn what had happened. He thought an accident had occurred of something blowing up. Well he was half right anyway. Something blew up all right.
September 7, 2025
The Previously Untold Stories
The focus of this book is obviously the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. More specifically, the author writes about United Flight 93 which was thought to be headed for the White House but instead was taken over by the heroic actions of the passengers and resulted in a high speed crash into the ground of small town Pennsylvania.
Anyone who was alive and old enough that day here in the U.S., knew about the terrorist attacks that tragic day, the planes used, where they originally expected to go etc. But what I didn't really know much about (and I suspect I'm not the only one) was what went on behind the scenes, what the loved ones of those that perished were thinking and doing, what they were experiencing when they first heard of the planes crashing and how they managed to get through the aftermath.
I found that this information was much more available, focused on and talked about with regards to the planes that hit the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. Perhaps because United Flight 93 DIDN'T hit any landmarks or high density potential targets, it was almost like that flight was an after thought shortly after it occurred. That simply shouldn't be the case! And it wasn't for those who had family members, friends or colleagues on that flight. Those left behind suffered and grieved just as intensely as the relatives and friends of the other planes passengers. That sounds quite obvious -- or it SHOULD be; but even the media seemed to focus more on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. At least in my opinion.
I would definitely recommend this book and I feel the author was thorough and writes well. The only thing I DIDN'T like about it, is that it happened and our world changed forever that day...
The focus of this book is obviously the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. More specifically, the author writes about United Flight 93 which was thought to be headed for the White House but instead was taken over by the heroic actions of the passengers and resulted in a high speed crash into the ground of small town Pennsylvania.
Anyone who was alive and old enough that day here in the U.S., knew about the terrorist attacks that tragic day, the planes used, where they originally expected to go etc. But what I didn't really know much about (and I suspect I'm not the only one) was what went on behind the scenes, what the loved ones of those that perished were thinking and doing, what they were experiencing when they first heard of the planes crashing and how they managed to get through the aftermath.
I found that this information was much more available, focused on and talked about with regards to the planes that hit the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. Perhaps because United Flight 93 DIDN'T hit any landmarks or high density potential targets, it was almost like that flight was an after thought shortly after it occurred. That simply shouldn't be the case! And it wasn't for those who had family members, friends or colleagues on that flight. Those left behind suffered and grieved just as intensely as the relatives and friends of the other planes passengers. That sounds quite obvious -- or it SHOULD be; but even the media seemed to focus more on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. At least in my opinion.
I would definitely recommend this book and I feel the author was thorough and writes well. The only thing I DIDN'T like about it, is that it happened and our world changed forever that day...
July 7, 2019
I was so glad when I came across Among the Heroes on amazon. I saw both the TV made and the other movie about the United 93 passengers and crew that decided to fight back after they realized they were on a plane that got highjacked and what was happening that Tuesday day in September. The crew and passengers were brave and courageous even when they knew that this was their last moments on earth, and they sacrificed their lives to save lives of many more.
I liked hearing about the description of the individuals of the passengers and how their life mottos may have contributed to them all coming together as a team and give support. I found it interesting that many of the passengers switched planes when they got to the airport, many of them either got on an earlier or later flights.... so loved ones didn't even know about their loved one's dilemma until later. Some could sense it though as they did know their loved ones were flying that day. It was also eerie to read about how loved ones had sensed or had visions before 9/11 that something would happen to their husbands, wives, children, that they wouldn't have a chance to grow old together.
An earlier chapter was dedicated to give information on one of the hijackers, background and knowledge. As much as we may not want it to be in this book, I believe it was needed for us readers to have some understanding of the plans and what occurred in the months and days before 9/11, however, the part in the book calling the hijackers heroes along with the crew and passengers during the last several minutes of the flight was very disturbing to me - and I imagination to a lot of readers- especially for the families.
I liked hearing about the description of the individuals of the passengers and how their life mottos may have contributed to them all coming together as a team and give support. I found it interesting that many of the passengers switched planes when they got to the airport, many of them either got on an earlier or later flights.... so loved ones didn't even know about their loved one's dilemma until later. Some could sense it though as they did know their loved ones were flying that day. It was also eerie to read about how loved ones had sensed or had visions before 9/11 that something would happen to their husbands, wives, children, that they wouldn't have a chance to grow old together.
An earlier chapter was dedicated to give information on one of the hijackers, background and knowledge. As much as we may not want it to be in this book, I believe it was needed for us readers to have some understanding of the plans and what occurred in the months and days before 9/11, however, the part in the book calling the hijackers heroes along with the crew and passengers during the last several minutes of the flight was very disturbing to me - and I imagination to a lot of readers- especially for the families.
September 16, 2024
A non-fiction retelling of the infamous plane that never made it to its intended destination.
Retold minute by minute through personal interviews (mostly) of relatives, friends and colleagues, author Jere Longham was able to capture the essence of the patriotism and sacrifice which occurred in those fateful few moments.
The writing style was a little bit scattered in my opinion- I think it would have landed more for me (absolutely NO PUN INTENDED) if he would have forgone the chapter layout and instead just gave the narrative/accounts per passenger with photos. In telling it minute by minute, information was shared multiple times as a way to help keep it straight in the readers' minds. The pictures in the middle were a nice touch. I also liked the narrative about the hijackers in that they were told factually- and I am always interested in learning the "theories behind" 9/11.
As someone who has visited both the Ground Zero- WTC and United 93 memorial in Shanksville, this book was easier to visualize and imagine what the crash site looked like, what the recordings sounded like etc. I highly recommend if you read this book to visit the memorial along with it because it realllyyy puts a new perspective on the day to SEE the site.
As with any book of this subject matter, it was very dense. Hard to read at night because it caused me to nod off on more than one occasion. But I learned something- which is always the goal of non fiction books! And it was a great way to honor those who showed great bravery on this tragic day in hopes of getting back home.
Retold minute by minute through personal interviews (mostly) of relatives, friends and colleagues, author Jere Longham was able to capture the essence of the patriotism and sacrifice which occurred in those fateful few moments.
The writing style was a little bit scattered in my opinion- I think it would have landed more for me (absolutely NO PUN INTENDED) if he would have forgone the chapter layout and instead just gave the narrative/accounts per passenger with photos. In telling it minute by minute, information was shared multiple times as a way to help keep it straight in the readers' minds. The pictures in the middle were a nice touch. I also liked the narrative about the hijackers in that they were told factually- and I am always interested in learning the "theories behind" 9/11.
As someone who has visited both the Ground Zero- WTC and United 93 memorial in Shanksville, this book was easier to visualize and imagine what the crash site looked like, what the recordings sounded like etc. I highly recommend if you read this book to visit the memorial along with it because it realllyyy puts a new perspective on the day to SEE the site.
As with any book of this subject matter, it was very dense. Hard to read at night because it caused me to nod off on more than one occasion. But I learned something- which is always the goal of non fiction books! And it was a great way to honor those who showed great bravery on this tragic day in hopes of getting back home.
September 1, 2025
This book is about United Flight 93, which the passengers tried to take over from the hijackers on 9/11 and which crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The presumption, based on all the evidence, is that it would have been crashed into the Capitol Building or the White House if the heroic passengers, who knew that planes had been purposefully crashed into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, had not decided to try to take back control of the plane. Everyone aboard was killed, but no one on the ground was hurt or killed. Based on interviews with the loved ones of all but one of the victims on the plane, the author intersperses what is known about the events on the plane and among air traffic controllers and other people monitoring the flight with detailed portraits of the 44 people on the plane. It is amazing that several of them had training in close-quarters combat and other relevant skills that may have helped them plot their attempt to take over from the hijackers. All were beloved of their families and friends. The author also describes what is known about the four hijackers on the flight and their actions in the United States and elsewhere leading up to that terrible day. Perhaps more attention has been paid to the events at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, with the greater losses of life that occurred in those locations, but the heroic actions of the people aboard Flight 93 should not be overlooked.
May 23, 2017
Among the Heroes, is the most interesting book that I have ever read. It is written in a way that I have never seen before. The book is about the passengers on United Flight 93, during the September 9, 2000, Terrorist attacks. The book tells the story of the all of the passengers, what they did in there lives before the flight, while at the same time telling the reader what was happening on the flight. So the book is constantly transitioning from the setting being on the plane, to the setting being somewhere in one of the passengers lives, before the flight. This book really gets deep into the lives of the people on the flight, all of them mothers, husbands, daughters, sons, and grandparents. I have a great respect for the people on Flight 93, and it is because of people like them, that America is, and will continue to be the greatest country on earth. Anyone who is interested in 9/11 conspiracies, should read this book, and then they will know that this was not a conspiracy, just an attack on America. The brave men and women aboard Flight 93, gave their lives, to save our country.
December 9, 2020
This (true) story hit me where I live, deep in the heart...the bravery and self-sacrifice is astonishing and very nearly inexplicable. There ARE still heroes in our world. The story revolves around the people who were flying United 93 on that auspicious day in 2001 (9/11) and how they took back the controls of the plane if only to crash it before it hit the intended target, presumably the White House. I kept thinking as I read "How would I have acted and reacted in such circumstances?" There were several professed Christians on board, of course and in fact a Bible was found at the crash site, among the scattered possessions, it was completely intact. We all hope we would be brave and (for Christians) of strong faith in the Lord no matter the outcome. And so, He grants His grace at just such the moments as we most need it and Him. One of the passengers had a favorite quote posted at his office which went something like, "Live each day as if it were your last because someday you'll be right." Indeed.
July 27, 2018
This was a rough read, in a good way. The story of Flight 93 is shared chronologically, with each confirmed event - pre-flight check-ins, calls home before boarding, Airfone calls during the stand-off, etc - triggering an expanded bio of the passenger or crew-member involved. Key events from their lives are used to infer how they probably reacted in the moment.
I'm not one to ascribe to fate, or people having some preordained destiny. But the sheer number of passengers who changed flights - either voluntarily or due to circumstances beyond their control - onto Flight 93 does make for a compelling argument. Especially considering the qualities and characters of the passengers gathered for this flight.
Longman tells the story as a reporter would (since, you know, he is one). He is very thorough, has done a lot of research, and interviewed the family members of all but one of the victims. This is a definite must-read for those studying the events of that day.
I'm not one to ascribe to fate, or people having some preordained destiny. But the sheer number of passengers who changed flights - either voluntarily or due to circumstances beyond their control - onto Flight 93 does make for a compelling argument. Especially considering the qualities and characters of the passengers gathered for this flight.
Longman tells the story as a reporter would (since, you know, he is one). He is very thorough, has done a lot of research, and interviewed the family members of all but one of the victims. This is a definite must-read for those studying the events of that day.
September 12, 2021
For the 20th Anniversary of 9/11.
This book knocked my socks off. What these people endured and the bravery that they showed cannot be put into words...
I really can't get enough of learning about 9/11, and especially Flight 93, which became the most incredible (incredibly heroic and incredibly sad) event of this devastating day.
So naturally I pounced on this book, and couldn't put it down. I guess I'm a bit of an amateur historian, and yet I was amazed to learn so much more about this flight and the people aboard. (Could it be possible the United pilots were kept alive? Why did all the passengers only see 3 of the 4 terrorists??).
Check out the haunting cockpit transcript here: https://www.nps.gov/flni/learn/histor...
What a remarkable and inspiring crew of people.
This book knocked my socks off. What these people endured and the bravery that they showed cannot be put into words...
I really can't get enough of learning about 9/11, and especially Flight 93, which became the most incredible (incredibly heroic and incredibly sad) event of this devastating day.
So naturally I pounced on this book, and couldn't put it down. I guess I'm a bit of an amateur historian, and yet I was amazed to learn so much more about this flight and the people aboard. (Could it be possible the United pilots were kept alive? Why did all the passengers only see 3 of the 4 terrorists??).
Check out the haunting cockpit transcript here: https://www.nps.gov/flni/learn/histor...
What a remarkable and inspiring crew of people.
March 22, 2019
A necessary tribute to flight United 93.
Piecing together what happened on that flight from the information in the telephone calls the passengers made to loved ones below.
This book talks about each person, who they were and where they were going that day. The flight only had 44 people on it, thankfully, when it could have held almost 200. Speculation is that the hijackers chose a flight like this so there would be less opposition in a takeover. Little did they know, the passengers were able to gather enough information to know they needed to take the plane back to prevent it from hitting a populated site.
Some passengers even switched their flights last minute from later in the day to this one because it was leaving earlier and had plenty of room.
Hard to read, knowing the results.
Piecing together what happened on that flight from the information in the telephone calls the passengers made to loved ones below.
This book talks about each person, who they were and where they were going that day. The flight only had 44 people on it, thankfully, when it could have held almost 200. Speculation is that the hijackers chose a flight like this so there would be less opposition in a takeover. Little did they know, the passengers were able to gather enough information to know they needed to take the plane back to prevent it from hitting a populated site.
Some passengers even switched their flights last minute from later in the day to this one because it was leaving earlier and had plenty of room.
Hard to read, knowing the results.
September 13, 2023
Longman's book chronicls the days events of United Flight 93 on Sept 11, 2001. He initially covered the crash when it happened and later when it was suggested he write a book, he wasn't convinced he should write the story of those who were on board the flight. Eventually, he knew it was a story that should be told. He does a good job capturing who these passengers were, their personalities, strengths and weaknesses. It really is interesting how many formidable people were on this flight. Many had a fighter's spirit and training to go along with that. Others had good organizational, leadership skills. All were heroes united to not let the hijackers succeed in their mission.
May 9, 2017
It is a great read for people who want to know more about the passengers' lives and why they were traveling that day. What I also liked about it is that it still felt like it was a narrative. Longman told the story of Flight 93 intermittently between short but well written biographies of each passenger. If you want to know he did also talk about the life of Ziad Jarrah to put into perspective his own family's reaction to his actions. I am an intern at Flight 93 National Memorial and this was the book they gave me to read to learn as much as I could.
September 30, 2018
From a first responders perspective, 9/11 changed our lives. This book was a hard but rewarding read. The Author is precise and thorough and his writing style is not the hard part of the reading...it is the memories his prose invoke. When we learn more about the heroes of flight 93, we feel the emotions of that day all over again. I purchased the book at the flight 93 memorial in Shanksville and talked to some of the first responders. This is the book they recommended and rightfully so. This adds the human side to that horrific act 17 years ago.
September 8, 2021
What was so great about this book was the personal stories about each and every victim on this flight. I know we have all heard about heroics and if you want to believe that, that is cool. But I really enjoyed what this author pulled together by speaking to a loved one for each passenger and told a really neat collection of memories as well as what they were most likely doing on the plane. A lot of heartbreaking scenes and love expressed. What a brilliant tribute. I can’t recommend this enough.
November 2, 2020
This is a good read highlighting the heroes of Flight 93. One thing that struck me was how accomplished the crew and passengers were on this flight. Their brave actions probably saved countless lives as the flight was only 18 min. from Washington D.C. when it was purposely crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA on 9/11.
March 15, 2021
The inspirational story of a group of true heroes. They had lives and families before terrorists hijacked
their plane and cut their lives short. They knew they would die, but yet they took action to save other lives and save the president and all of the white house staff and do what was best for the country. Their actions were truly noble and it is a story of selflessness.
their plane and cut their lives short. They knew they would die, but yet they took action to save other lives and save the president and all of the white house staff and do what was best for the country. Their actions were truly noble and it is a story of selflessness.
September 14, 2024
As essential as it is good. A conveyor belt of emotional gut punches, but arranged well to tell the story of Flight 93. A little hagiographic, in that it sees the good in everyone, but that’s what obituaries do, and that’s what we want from our heroes in times of strife. This is about our best qualities in the worst times, a somber and emotional reminder of what we can do, for better and worse.
November 17, 2025
A nice tribute to the people in Flight 93, which helps readers see them as individuals and not just numbers and statistics. We get the story of each passenger and crew member, as well as the story of the overall flight. Do we get all the answers? No, but we get to appreciate these people and the loss they meant, especially as the story if eclipsed by the other attacks.
March 8, 2023
Very interesting. It took me awhile to get through this book. I took my time and really learned a lot about each hero in this book. Thank you to the author for putting this book together. May they all rest in peace.
September 6, 2024
A well documented and detailed of the events of united 93 and the heroics of all the passengers. Even after all these years later it’s still gripping and devastatingly sad. A reminder of the strength of what humans will endure.
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