Rating: 
Summary: The Heart of a Hero
Review: This is a hero's story. It seems that some people are destined to do great things. Rick Rescarla lived his life to be in one place on one day. That place was the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He led many to safety that day. This fascinating story tells of all that led up to that moment. Mr. Stewart is an excellent reporter.
Rating: 
Summary: He answered the call - what an example for us.
Review: We have all seen and been deeply affected by the pages and pages of short biographies (and pictures) of those who perished on September 11, 2001 in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and aboard the hijacked planes. This wonderful book is about one of those people, his best friend, David Hill, and his last wife and soul-mate, Susan.I didn't know the name of Rick Rescorla, although I have since found that I have a friend who fought with him at Ia Drang and thinks highly of him. When I heard the news stories describing a man who had been a hero in that battle and then died saving others on 9/11 I wanted to read more about him. I think you not only enjoy this book, you will be moved by his story. It isn't a fairy tale, but it reads like one. Here is a poor kid from Cornwall, UK who heads to Africa to fight, becomes friends with an American soldier. He then joins the US Army, fights in Vietnam, becomes a US citizen. His life ends in the fall of the South Tower. Mr. Rescorla's life, like ours, had its peaks and valleys. He was a hero, no doubt about it. But he also had parts of his life that didn't work out as well as he had hoped with ordinary failings (again, just like us). The difference is, that when the call came, he heard the call to duty, and putting others first, went back into the building when he could have gotten out. In doing so, he perished. As you read this book it will be clear why. What is especially nice about this book is that the reason you will know why he tried to save others isn't a comic book version of heroism. It isn't just Mr. Rescorla's nobility and intrinsic heroism, though there is plenty of that in my view. It also came out of his own sense of who he was and his sense of what he needed to do. He likely wouldn't have survived even if he had "lived". If those he was charged with protecting perished it would have been nearly impossible for him to live with that. He had to try and save them just as he had done in other places and in other times. What was an amazing man. Mr. Stewart always writes well. I especially like the way he talks about the heroic, the ordinary, and the whacky in elegant and clear prose. He doesn't cue how you are supposed to feel about this or that aspect of Mr. Rescorla's life or the lives of his friends and family. Mr. Stewart tells the story and its internal power communicates through the author's effective prose. Pointing out Mr. Rescorla's heroism doesn't in any way detract from the hundreds of heros who gave their lives that day also trying to save others. This story just makes one of those heros more real for those of us who weren't directly involved. This is a story you will not want to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Today's Heroes
Review: What a thrill it was to read. Having read Mr. Stewart's article in the New Yorker, I was aware of some of Rick's life, but the book filled in so much more of a modern day hero.As the sister of Mr. Hill, I was aware of Rick and their friendship for many years, but having the full picture painted for me by Mr. Stewart was certainly an eye opening experience.Rick has truly been a bright light to come out of such a tragedy. Thank you for allowing us to share in this great man's life.Very well written and riviting, I could not put the book down until I had finished it. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to feel good about an American Hero.
Rating:
Summary: Surprising and very good
Review: When I picked this book up, I was in a mood to read everything I cound about September 11. I was surprised by this one, though. Rick Rescorla plays a part in the tragedy, but the book is really about his amazing life leading up to September 11. A fascinating read, but not for the reasons I thought when I first got it. I kept turning to my wife saying, "I'm on page 100 and Sept. 11 still isn't mentioned..." or "Now I'm on page 200 and Sept. 11 still isn't mentioned." Fans of James Stewart will not be disappointed. The rest of you will not be either. A highly engrossing read about Rescorla -- soldier, father, husband, Englishman, American, etc. -- and the people around him.
Rating: 
Summary: dissappointed
Review: While the subject, Rick, is great, the writing just doesn't flow. Just seems to be thrown together to get in on the 9-11 sales/marketing bandwagon. Really wanted to like this book but it left me feeling that the story of Rick should have been written so much better. Felt like I was reading a newpaper article thrown together to make a deadline.
Rating:
Summary: Brought back some memories
Review: Wow, Rick. It's hard to believe it's been over a year since you left us in your final act of selflessness. Reminds me of how I met you back in 1992. The tire on my '78 Bug exploded, and I was stranded on the side of the road during rush hour. Horns honking at me, no one willing to help out an old man, and here you come. Smiling and waving, and all set to change the spare and then follow me home to make sure I get there alright. Since then, there were visits to my home with meals, offers to do laundry, fix my roof, and so on. And of course you helped me through the loss of my wife, crying with me, laughing and looking through old photographs, listening for the 1000th time as I tell you about the birth of our only child (you became like my second child). I love you and miss you. As Jack said, "You make me want to be a better man."
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