Only Plane in the Sky: The Oral History of 9/11 on the 20th Anniversary

The Only Plane in the Sky is a powerful and emotional oral history of 9/11, featuring firsthand accounts from ordinary people who were there. It provides a vivid portrait of the day's events, from the airport staff who unknowingly usher terrorists onto their flights to the officials in the White House and Pentagon who grapple with the unfolding crisis. The book is based on extensive research and includes never-before-published transcripts, declassified documents, and interviews from nearly five hundred people.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group

The Only Plane in the Sky is a remarkable and deeply moving oral history that captures the essence of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is a powerful testament to the resilience and humanity of the ordinary people who were caught up in the chaos and tragedy of that day.

The book begins with the early morning hours, as airport staff unknowingly assist terrorists in boarding their flights. From a secret bunker beneath the White House, President George W. Bush and his top officials monitor the unfolding events on radar. At the Pentagon, officials experience a violent tremor as the building comes under attack.

The stories that follow are heart-wrenching and unforgettable. They include the father and son who worked on separate floors of the North Tower, the firefighter who rushed into the burning building to search for his wife, the phone operator who kept her promise to share a passenger's last words with his family, and the chaplain who stayed on the scene to perform last rites, ultimately losing his own life when the Twin Towers collapsed.

The Only Plane in the Sky is based on extensive research and includes never-before-published transcripts, declassified documents, and interviews from nearly five hundred people. Award-winning historian Garrett Graff skillfully weaves these sources together to create a vivid and detailed account of the day that changed all of our lives.

The book offers a unique perspective on 9/11, as it is told from the voices of the ordinary people who were there. It provides a humanizing and empathetic portrayal of the victims and survivors, and sheds light on the heroic actions of first responders and military personnel who risked their lives to save others.

One of the most striking aspects of The Only Plane in the Sky is the emotional impact it has on the reader. The stories are so vivid and compelling that it is difficult to put the book down once you start. The reader is transported back to that fateful day, feeling the fear, confusion, and despair that the people who lived through it experienced.

The book also raises important questions about the response to the 9/11 attacks and the ongoing fight against terrorism. It explores the political and military decisions that were made in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, and the challenges that have been faced in the years since.

Overall, The Only Plane in the Sky is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the events of 9/11 and the impact they had on the world. It is a powerful and emotional book that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913183417