Book Review: Escape From The World Trade Center

Leslie Haskin was on the thirty-sixth floor of the World Trade Center, Tower One, on September 11, 2001. Her drive for success and independence led her to New York in 1987, and later to Kemper Insurance Company in 2001, where she became the director of operations and one of only two African-Americans to hold an executive title within the corporation's eastern region.
"Escape From The World Trade Center" is her story about how she escaped the burning building and how it changed her life.

About The Author
Ms. Haskin has written four books and has become a favorite on national media such as CNN, The 700 Club and Moody Radio. She is the founder of a ministry designed to provide rehabilitation and healing to women and children who are homeless and victims of domestic violence.

A Day That Will Never Be Forgotten
Ms. Haskin begins this story by stating that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can come about after one has experienced or witnessed life-threatening events like war, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, or violent personal assaults.
The author provides a vivid and emotional account of her experiences after the plane hit Tower One at the World Trade Center. She explains that she was frozen with fear and could not understand what was happening. She was one of the last ones to leave her office area because she could not grasp the gravity of the situation.
She then entered the stairway and descended thirty-six floors. She describes how crowded it was as they went down the stairs. She was disoriented and was just pushed along as the crowd slowly made there way to the bottom floor.
She tells how more people were entering the stairway from each floor.  On one floor, the door was opened and she could see a man who was decapitated. People were yelling, cussing and crying in desperation as they made their way to freedom. She tells of the putrid smoke that was burning her eyes and making breathing difficult. When she finally exited the building, she saw many people jumping from the upper floors.
The author sought guidance and strength from her Christian faith. The text contains Scripture that complements the text. She is truly convinced that the Lord was with her and led her to safety on that horrific day.

My Thoughts
Leslie Haskin has provided a very detailed description of her experiences on 9/11. She is very good at expressing her emotions and providing details that some authors might overlook. I think one of the most poignant moments of her experience was when she witnessed a man and woman holding hands and jumping from a window to their deaths.
Some people will object to the author's frequent references to the Bible. I think the verses that she chose to highlight her experiences were very appropriate. She is a woman of faith and she gladly gives all the glory to Jesus Christ.

This weekend our country will be remembering those who lost their lives on that terrible day. This book offers a message of hope and healing. It is available in digital format on Amazon.

I recently posted a review of "That Day In September" by Artie Van Why. This is another touching eye-witness account of the tragedy at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: That Day In September

Most people remember exactly where they were and what they were doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. Artie Van Why shares his personal story of the events of that terrible day in "That Day In September". This is a compelling memoir about how Mr. Van Why came to live in New York City and was working near the World Trade Center in a building across the street from the Twin Towers. His experiences at Ground Zero were shocking and unforgettable. This is one man's story of how he survived a day that will never be forgotten.

Before 9/11

Artie Van Why moved to New York City in November of 1977 to pursue an acting career. He tells of his relationship with an actress before "coming out" and living an openly gay lifestyle. He soon realized that he would need more income than he was receiving from his acting jobs, so he went to work as a word processor at a law firm. He worked the evening shift and then would party with his friends until the early morning hours.

In 1999, Mr. Van Why decided to give up drinking and make some serious changes in his life. He attended a twelve-steps support group and was able to gain control of his drinking and his life. The law firm merged with another company and he found himself working the day shift in an office building across the street from the World Trade Center. Life was good.

9/11

Artie heard the building rumble. A secretary said that a plane had hit the South Tower and it was a "war zone" outside. Artie and some of his co-workers were curious so they went outside to see what was happening. Once he was on the street, he noticed that it was like stepping into a snowstorm. Paper of all sorts and sizes was scattered everywhere, coming down from the sky from as far up as he could see. Large pieces of debris were falling down the length of the tower. Then he noticed that one piece of debris seemed to be moving. It was a person falling...arms and legs waving madly. He stood helplessly watching as more and more people began jumping from the tower.

A Letter From The Author

I am a self-published author and am writing you in regard to my one and only book, "That Day In September". I lived in New York City for 26 years and I worked across from the World Trade Center. I was there in the streets the morning of 9/11. "That Day In September" chronicles my eyewitness account of the attack on the World Trade Center and the weeks and months following.

All along this endeavor has been, one, my way of processing and working through that experience. And secondly, and to me more importantly, it is my personal contribution to assuring we never forget that day. "That Day In September" is my personal tribute to honor those who died that day. Sales are minimal to say the least; as are any royalties I receive. For me, this is not about making money. It is about my story being told.

With the 10th anniversary approaching I am doing whatever I can to let people know about my book. That is why I'm writing to you. I know that with a little more than two months before the anniversary your commitments to other books might make it an impossibility to do anything at this time for "That Day In September". But I wanted to at least ask you if you might be able to read and review the book with these next two months.  Artie Van Why

My Thoughts

Has it really been ten years since the 9/11 attacks? It seems like just yesterday that I went to work in the library at Red Bluff Elementary. It was school picture day and the photographer was setting up in the library to take the student's pictures. The principal came in and told me that our country was being attacked and to get a television out and turn on the news. I spent that morning with one eye on my work responsibilities and the other glued to the TV screen.

"That Day In September" is a book that will give you details that were not covered on the television news. I think Mr. Van Why has done an outstanding job sharing his experience of that terrible day in September. He felt the panic and fear of running for his life as debris fell from the sky. These memories continued to haunt him for many years. This book is his way of working through this trauma.  His hope is that our country will not forget all those who lost their lives on that day. Read the book and weep.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.