The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 (Garrett M. Graff)

It's hard to fathom that it's been almost 20 years since September 11, 2001. Most of us can remember exactly where we were that day when we heard that passenger planes had hit the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. In this day and age, it's easy to forget that after that horrible day, the nation was united in our grief, anger, and patriotism.

There have been countless movies, documentaries, and books that have come out since 9/11, but none has affected me so much as Garrett M. Graff's The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11. Graff walks the reader through the entirety of 9/11 by having the readers hear from those directly involved: the ticket agents who checked the hijackers in, the air traffic controllers, those in President Bush's administration, and the families of those who sat frantically by the phone.

For me, there were two parts that were most effective: reading about the normalcy of September 10 and the morning of September 11 and knowing what was to come and hearing from the 9/11 survivors. What stuck out the most to me was that much of the day was all about luck. Someone who survived may have made a left while exiting the World Trade Center, while their friend who didn't made a right.

Oral histories are always the most insightful way to tell what really happened, and The Only Plane in the Sky (which refers to Air Force One being the only plane in the sky when all the others were grounded) is one that will make you appreciate every second of your life.

MY RATING - 5

Working Stiff (Judy Melinek, M.D. and T.J. Mitchell)

Not for the faint of heart, Working Stiff is a fascinating account of Judy Melinek's daily life as a New York City medical examiner.  But beware -- she doesn't mince words or "dumb things down" for the reader.  So if gruesome details turn you off, this book isn't for you.  However, if you love to put the pieces of a puzzle together, you'll love reading how Melinek goes about that very thing...only during autopsies instead.

Dr. Melinek began training as a forensic pathologist in New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in July 2001.  Therefore, the most harrowing, heartbreaking account in Working Stiff is the chapter where she describes what it was like on September 11, one of the worst days ever in our country's history.  Most people can remember exactly where they were when they heard the news about the terrorist attacks, and many stories have been told about the heroic efforts of the police, firefighters, and other emergency workers.  However, on that angst-ridden day, the medical examiners were thrown into uncharted waters as well; I'm not going to get into the heart-pounding details Melinek writes about, but the chapter is absolutely gripping.

Ordinary doctors take care of you when you're alive; Melinek does the opposite, focusing on finding answers for heartbroken families.  Working Stiff is enthralling and will absorb you in a way that will make hours fly by.  

MY RATING - 5