The American Spirit: Meeting the Challenge of September 11

Rating:
Summary: Moving images of recovery
Review: Through photographs, book tells the story of the country's struggle since 9/11 to recover from its saddest day. Each photo stands on its own and delivers a message without words. Rather than focusing on sensational photos of the towers burning and falling, book chooses to document how the world has changed. Just as LIFE magazine had always done, book uses photography not only to illustrate but to inform and inspire.

Rating:
Summary: Lacks focus.
Review: While this book was not intended to document the events of Sept. 11th, a reader would expect the book to show the impact the date had on the American People. There are a few things wrong with this book. For one, it makes an honest attempt to show how Americans were changed by these events yet, at times, it deviates by documenting events post-9/11 that had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks. There is too much focus on NYC and little on Washington DC or Pennsylvania. Emergency workers in NY share their stories yet nothing is written about the passengers aboard the planes. Recognition is given to one pilot but none is given to any of the flight attendants. It is nice to see that in this day and age, we Americans are proud of our country and are willing to defend it but what Life had failed to show was the true reason for such patriotism--we are angry over ALL events of that day Not just over the attacks in NY.