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Inside 9-11: What Really Happened
Some of the finest writing and reporting on the events of September 11 was done by Der Spiegel, Germany's magazine of record. With its main office in Hamburg, base of operations for terrorist ringleader Mohamed Atta and many of the others, Der Spiegel 's journalists were on the front lines of the earliest investigation into the identities of those who brought holy war to America.
The award-winning team from Spiegel was also at Ground Zero, talking to people, gathering stories, interviewing survivors, seeking the words that might express the interconnections of horror and heroism. The words come from those who had been inside and somehow gotten out. Inside 9-11 gives us some of their accounts, taking us as close as we can get to what happened.
The "why" of September 11 may remain beyond understanding. But here we learn who the terrorists were, and how they were able to take so many innocent lives by sacrificing their own. The profiles in this book render a chilling, alien mindset that has become part of our daily reality. Combining first-class investigative journalism and writing of great clarity, Inside 9-11 is a heartbreaking and gripping reconstruction of the events that changed us all.
Translated from the German by Paul De Angelis and Elisabeth Kaestner, with contributions from Margot Dembo and Christopher Sultan.
The award-winning team from Spiegel was also at Ground Zero, talking to people, gathering stories, interviewing survivors, seeking the words that might express the interconnections of horror and heroism. The words come from those who had been inside and somehow gotten out. Inside 9-11 gives us some of their accounts, taking us as close as we can get to what happened.
The "why" of September 11 may remain beyond understanding. But here we learn who the terrorists were, and how they were able to take so many innocent lives by sacrificing their own. The profiles in this book render a chilling, alien mindset that has become part of our daily reality. Combining first-class investigative journalism and writing of great clarity, Inside 9-11 is a heartbreaking and gripping reconstruction of the events that changed us all.
Translated from the German by Paul De Angelis and Elisabeth Kaestner, with contributions from Margot Dembo and Christopher Sultan.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
15 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 31, 2019
Very well written, and extremely tragic. Referring to a carpenter who was in the North Tower when Flight 11 hit, “He’s been back to Ground Zero. He listened while some of his rescue worker friends told him their stories.... About an arm they found, a woman’s, and when they pried open her fingers, they found inside the fist of a baby.”
September 10, 2008
Observing the Anniversary of 9-11 this week, my husband and I viewed a documentary about the day that changed America forever and I re-read a book (another thrift store find) by the reporting team at Der Spiegel Magazine, “Inside 9-11 What Really Happened.” The book includes a timeline of events leading up to the terror of 9-11 connecting us with real people who, on a day that started out like any day, lived or died as a great evil overshadowed America. Also included are insights into the mindset of terrorists and an admonition to us all to be aware and be courageous in reporting intuitive and subtle observations that may alert American authorities to terrorist activity before it happens. As Americans, we must all be prepared to contribute to homeland defense.
By God’s grace our family was together on September 11, 2001. Miraculously my husband had the day off as early that morning we loaded up the stroller and with all our children strode out into the beautiful sunshine for a meander through the neighborhood. Stopping at our community playground, we immediately learned from the neighbors that a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center Towers. It was thought to be an accident. With a sense of foreboding, I turned to my husband, our eyes met, and we immediately set out at a brisk pace for home. Stunned, we watched the second jet strike the South Tower, we saw the Towers fall, and we saw our Pentagon afire. My baby stirred in my womb for the first time to the sound of the Marine Corps Band as we mourned the tragedy.
Our prayers continue for those who lost their lives and for those who survived. We pray especially for families who suffer still the shock and trauma and loss. We pray that God will guide and protect our Nation, especially in this crucial election year. May we vote to promote a National culture of life, may we vote for a strong National Defense, may we always remember, and never forget.
Daryl Worley: “Have You Forgotten?”
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
By God’s grace our family was together on September 11, 2001. Miraculously my husband had the day off as early that morning we loaded up the stroller and with all our children strode out into the beautiful sunshine for a meander through the neighborhood. Stopping at our community playground, we immediately learned from the neighbors that a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center Towers. It was thought to be an accident. With a sense of foreboding, I turned to my husband, our eyes met, and we immediately set out at a brisk pace for home. Stunned, we watched the second jet strike the South Tower, we saw the Towers fall, and we saw our Pentagon afire. My baby stirred in my womb for the first time to the sound of the Marine Corps Band as we mourned the tragedy.
Our prayers continue for those who lost their lives and for those who survived. We pray especially for families who suffer still the shock and trauma and loss. We pray that God will guide and protect our Nation, especially in this crucial election year. May we vote to promote a National culture of life, may we vote for a strong National Defense, may we always remember, and never forget.
Daryl Worley: “Have You Forgotten?”
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
December 20, 2020
Para alguien bastante friki de los documentales y de ciertos sucesos esta visión del 11S (quizá un poco anticuada, la edición es de 2002 y ha salido mucha información nueva después) es un buen resumen de una parte que quizá no se habló tanto en aquel tiempo. Lo mejor: la reconstrucción de las vidas de los implicados, la labor de documentación y los testimonios. Lo peor: una horrible traducción y partes que sobran por completo.
June 16, 2014
A little disjointed in narrative approach, but a fine factual telling of events without political posturing from any angle.
February 7, 2019
The best parts about this book are that it truly gives insight on all sides of 9/11. It talks about the victims, survivors, their families, the investigators, and of course the people that were responsible as well as their families and people who knew them. It is truly well rounded in that aspect. You feel so connected to the people in the book throughout the read. ..
..
Where it lacks is that reading the book 16 years after its publication they didn’t always specify their timeframes of “post 9/11” events the way they did pre. Some of the organization is a little scattered and I found I had to go back and remind myself what was going on again?
..
In the end I was glad I picked this up having been only in 2nd grade during these attacks. I will never forget that day. This book taught me a lot. I highly recommend if you have not read about 9/11 that you find a book about it and learn.
..
Where it lacks is that reading the book 16 years after its publication they didn’t always specify their timeframes of “post 9/11” events the way they did pre. Some of the organization is a little scattered and I found I had to go back and remind myself what was going on again?
..
In the end I was glad I picked this up having been only in 2nd grade during these attacks. I will never forget that day. This book taught me a lot. I highly recommend if you have not read about 9/11 that you find a book about it and learn.
December 2, 2023
There have been many (many +) books of what happened to our country on the “9-11” day. There are many books about what happened that day. And, probably, there will be some more—although it’s been many years.
Paul De Ahgelis read the event many years after the event. That may seem unusual to us “readers” that we have heard about. Today, those who want to find a book about what happened on 9-11 can find a powerful read. The books may not be at book stores but they will always be in the library. If you spent all day of what happened on that day, there is more to learn. The book can get some sense of what happened if you were not alive on that day.
Paul De Ahgelis read the event many years after the event. That may seem unusual to us “readers” that we have heard about. Today, those who want to find a book about what happened on 9-11 can find a powerful read. The books may not be at book stores but they will always be in the library. If you spent all day of what happened on that day, there is more to learn. The book can get some sense of what happened if you were not alive on that day.
September 14, 2020
It was very difficult to read a book about such a tragic event as this, yet I believe it is necessary.
Almost 20 years have passed since that day, but I can still remember where I was and what I was doing, and probably always will, as most of us who were old enough to realize what was happening will. Continued prayers for the families and the heroes of that day. We will never forget.
Almost 20 years have passed since that day, but I can still remember where I was and what I was doing, and probably always will, as most of us who were old enough to realize what was happening will. Continued prayers for the families and the heroes of that day. We will never forget.
January 21, 2018
Excellently researched, well put together, suspenseful, and just as horrifying as the day was. I went back and watched some documentaries while reading. Only a few pages about the Pentagon. I guess not much was known? Anyway, very good book.
May 18, 2017
Book was ok, kind of boring to me. I did like the timeline of events on the people that were there to tell their story.
July 26, 2017
What really happened during 9/11? Some said it is a conspiracy. Some said it is a terrorist attack. We really don't know. What we know is that a lot of people died and that it shouldn't happen again.
August 19, 2017
An absorbing, unsentimental, well researched, thorough and gut wrenching read.
July 8, 2019
A different look at 9/11
I good book that provides information about the nineteen people responsible for the world trade terrorist attacks and the pentagon.
I good book that provides information about the nineteen people responsible for the world trade terrorist attacks and the pentagon.
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September 27, 2019Not bad. It has been a while and I was not in the habit of doing reviews then. It was a difficult time in history.
October 13, 2020
Other than the obvious, the heartbreak of reading what these people went through, it was a very insightful book to read. I learned alot and it kept my attention. Overall, it was enjoyable.
January 24, 2021
A 4.5. Excellent summary and timeline. Very detailed and hard to beat.
April 16, 2024
Perfect balance of emotionality and critical details. Great contextual background and still so human.
January 12, 2012
"Significant days in world history are like turning points of fate; people remember them for years and even decades later, telling each other over and over again where they were, and what they were doing and thinking at a specific moment in time." -Cordt Schnibben (Foreword from "Inside 9-11 What Really Happened) This book is a collection of first and second-hand accounts, factual information, and details about what really happened on 9-11. It takes you inside the lives of the terrorists before and the lives of their families after. This book also tells you first and second-hand accounts from victims, and their before and after stories. In this book one of the accounts is from Virginia DiChiara, a 44 year old woman who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. She was in the elevator when the first plane hit the North Tower. Virginia was on her way from the 78th floor to her office on the 101st. She usually would have been in her office already, but her dogs kept her home longer than normal because they didn't want to go inside as soon as they usually did. The elevator doors got stuck just as they had started to close, the tower shook, and in front of her, Virginia could see dripping blue jet fuel. The man in front of her squeezed out and ran off, she waited, trying to figure out what to do. She decided to go for it, she put her hands over her face and pushed her elbows against the doors. She burned her face, hands, back, and arms that day. She could see chunks of her skin falling off, but she did not stop walking until she got out of the tower. Virginia DiChiara is an example to people everywhere about courage, strength, and perseverance. "They stared at her in horror. One woman screamed when she saw her face. 'Don't worry,' she said. 'I'll be okay again soon"(53, Der Spiegel). To this day, Virginia lives with those two dogs that saved her life. She is grateful for every day that she is alive and she will soon be fully recovered. The interview with her after says that you wouldn't even know that she was a severe burn victim by looking at her face. Virginia is one of the very, very lucky ones. 9/11 was a monumental day in American history, it is a symbol that nothing is indestructible, but it is also a symbol that not everything in the world is good. It shows that evil does exist out there in the world. This book tells the stories of people who were attacked by evil, and managed to escape, and it also talks about those that weren't so lucky. To this day, people all around the world know of the day, September 11.
I really liked the way this book was written. It was written in 3 parts with a foreword and an appendix. The appendix was a gathering of evidence that was discovered after the attacks from the terrorists; books and primers and instruction manuals about how to 'complete their mission'. The first part was a series of different stories and accounts from different people, but they went in chronological order. For example, "World Trade Center, North Tower, 8:43 AM"--this section was about man named Chuck Allen working on the 83rd floor of the north tower. Next it said "On Board American Airlines Flight 11, 8:44 AM"--which talked about the last few moments of everyone on that airplane seconds before the crash. Different points of view coming in order the way they happened in time. This book moved me, not just by the way it was written, but by the way that the information was presented. It was presented in a very understandable and real. The stories told by real victims are what really moved me. Things like this don't happen very often, and it was a terrible tragedy for our country, and when someone writes a reflection such as this one, it makes it that small amount better. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Mainly, though, I would recommend this book to people who want to know more about what happened on 9-11, or want to know more about people who were victims, or about what the terrorists believe in. This book explains things in a really open and simple way. It is definitely a really great book to read if you are trying to understand what went on and if you are trying to understand it.
I gave this book a four out of 5 stars because I really liked the way it was written and I enjoyed learning what it was about. It wasn't my favorite book, and I probably won't remember it for years to come, but I will remember what I learned. I will also remember how I got a better understanding of what really happened on 9-11. I was only four years old, so I didn't really know what happened. As years have passed I have learned more and more, but when I read this book, it really gave me a huge understanding about the lives that were changed and the lives that were taken on this day. 9-11-01 will be in our hearts and minds forever.
I really liked the way this book was written. It was written in 3 parts with a foreword and an appendix. The appendix was a gathering of evidence that was discovered after the attacks from the terrorists; books and primers and instruction manuals about how to 'complete their mission'. The first part was a series of different stories and accounts from different people, but they went in chronological order. For example, "World Trade Center, North Tower, 8:43 AM"--this section was about man named Chuck Allen working on the 83rd floor of the north tower. Next it said "On Board American Airlines Flight 11, 8:44 AM"--which talked about the last few moments of everyone on that airplane seconds before the crash. Different points of view coming in order the way they happened in time. This book moved me, not just by the way it was written, but by the way that the information was presented. It was presented in a very understandable and real. The stories told by real victims are what really moved me. Things like this don't happen very often, and it was a terrible tragedy for our country, and when someone writes a reflection such as this one, it makes it that small amount better. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Mainly, though, I would recommend this book to people who want to know more about what happened on 9-11, or want to know more about people who were victims, or about what the terrorists believe in. This book explains things in a really open and simple way. It is definitely a really great book to read if you are trying to understand what went on and if you are trying to understand it.
I gave this book a four out of 5 stars because I really liked the way it was written and I enjoyed learning what it was about. It wasn't my favorite book, and I probably won't remember it for years to come, but I will remember what I learned. I will also remember how I got a better understanding of what really happened on 9-11. I was only four years old, so I didn't really know what happened. As years have passed I have learned more and more, but when I read this book, it really gave me a huge understanding about the lives that were changed and the lives that were taken on this day. 9-11-01 will be in our hearts and minds forever.
December 2, 2016
Listed as "a heartbreaking and gripping reconstruction of the events that changed us all".. not really what I thought of it.. There is some insight into the lives of some of the people who lived (and sadly died) in both the north and south towers, but it's almost as if the writer wanted to get onto other stuff, as these parts or hurried and bring no emotion to the horrendous ordeal those people went through.. There is too much coverage on the terrorists that carried out the acts for my liking (i don't feel they needed so much publicity as it gives their "so called cause" new depth.. an interesting insight into how the authorities work and what they know now, and more disturbingly what they knew then, but did nothing about. If you want to know about the terrorists, how they came to be and what they were like as people then this would be the book to read.. if however you are expecting to hear about the people that suffered at the hands of the terrorists i would suggest something else
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June 16, 2011This book is about what happened on the actual day of September 11 2001. This is a very sad book because the people who witnessed it were telling their part of the story and what happened in their eyes. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in the World Trade Center attacks. This book opened my eyes about what specifically happened and how it happened and especially when it happened.
When I read the first chapter I was almost in tears because the emotion and experiences that really happened. This book was really good. I enjoyed reading about it and learning about the whole attacks.
When I read the first chapter I was almost in tears because the emotion and experiences that really happened. This book was really good. I enjoyed reading about it and learning about the whole attacks.
October 4, 2008
Too many contradictions, like cell phone calls made from the planes...or those that were supposedly made from seatback phones, uh-oh that model plane didn't have phones.
The whole fiasco of the "Commission" that "investigated" the event...well, that is just a sad tale. I don't know WHAT happened, but I do know that we have not gotten the whole story. I had hoped this book would help...it did NOT.
The whole fiasco of the "Commission" that "investigated" the event...well, that is just a sad tale. I don't know WHAT happened, but I do know that we have not gotten the whole story. I had hoped this book would help...it did NOT.
July 13, 2015
Physically, I'm not blind but mentally I can't see the facts! What were actually happened on 9-11? Why the World Trade Center Towers was under attacked and why is my distant father land was on fire? I believe the book can provide me with some answers!
The book brought out my tears. What have I seen are the questions which of the human dimension that we are looking at? The mindset of terrorists or the mindset of American government or Americans before the attack by the terrorists?
The book brought out my tears. What have I seen are the questions which of the human dimension that we are looking at? The mindset of terrorists or the mindset of American government or Americans before the attack by the terrorists?
March 25, 2017
Got this book for Christmas from my S.O. (He knows that history is very fascinating to me) I like the way it is written! :)
October 24, 2012
Not a bad book - but nothing new here. I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know about the attacks of September 11, 2001. This would probably be a good history read for someone who either knew very little or nothing about those attacks. The book is well-wriiten with only some minor inaccuracies that have surfaced over the years.
August 14, 2015
A very different take on the events of 9/11 as described by the German publication Der Spiegel.
You find out more about the terrorists and how their family supposedly knew nothing about it. I have my doubts to be honest.
A lot more "human" stories and really interesting snippets on what some of the survivors are doing now.
Definitely worth a read.
You find out more about the terrorists and how their family supposedly knew nothing about it. I have my doubts to be honest.
A lot more "human" stories and really interesting snippets on what some of the survivors are doing now.
Definitely worth a read.
August 3, 2016
I didn't really learn anything more then I already knew. I guess if u care how the killers lived up till that day then it might be of interest for a read.
Unfortunately killing in the name of God is wrong and unlike god no matter what your religion. Hatred for these people is well deserved. My heart goes out to all the innocent lives forever damaged by this.
Unfortunately killing in the name of God is wrong and unlike god no matter what your religion. Hatred for these people is well deserved. My heart goes out to all the innocent lives forever damaged by this.
September 26, 2016
Moving, comprehensive and impressive account of the events leading up to, on and immediately following 9-11. A brilliant insight into the minds of the perpetrators and how the attack was planned and carried out.
December 17, 2007
fuckin depressing and sickening.
April 7, 2012
Very accurate and scary. =)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews