Rating: 
Summary: Heartwarming and worthwhile!
Review: A friend recommended this book to read and I am so glad I took her advice. With all of the awful events happening on 9/11, it was wonderful to read about such uplifting and heartwarming stories. That there is such a warmth and community spirit still alive on this earth truly gives one hope for the future. In addition, it was interesting to read about all the "down-stream" results of the events and how they impacted individuals that weren't even in the U.S. at the time. I had not thought through people being stranded in places ill-equiped to handle the masses and all the support (diapers, toys, perscriptions, etc.) needed to see them through. It was well written and a true joy to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: One Glimpse of Human Greatness!
Review: A friend told me about The Day the World Came to Town a while back. I knew it was about September 11th and I was feeling a bit overloaded on the sad stories that resulted from that tragic day so I put it off. Of course, I knew there had been some amazing demonstrations of community, heroism, and other stories of the unexpected graces that resulted from that horrible day’s events and yet this story was probably the one that made me fully appreciate the paradox of grace in the midst of tragedy all the more. Gander, New Foundland has never been a major tourist spot on anyone’s map in its history. However, many have touched down in Gander over the years as it served as a refueling station for prop planes and jetliners before they had better capacity for transcontinental travel without a fuel stop. Gander is a small town of 10,000 and when 38 jets were ordered out of the skies on September 11th to Gander, some 6500 “new citizens suddenly arrived without notice. What followed the arrival of those jets and the frightened human beings aboard makes for the incredible story of a community that stopped everything it was doing and welcomed their guests as if they were relatives. And, this wasn’t just a quick stop. Gander provided for the “plane people†for three days without any master plan and advance preparation. The Day the World Came to Town is an inspiring story about the strength and goodness to be found in ordinary human beings when they come together in tough times. Author, Jim DeFead does a great job of making this story a personal one. He focuses on the experience of several individuals and families among the local people and the visitors. He tells this amazing story of community through their eyes and hearts. While I recognize so many have had their fill of stories about September 11th, The Day the World Came to Town is a story to be read again and again to remind us all that this world can still be a hopeful place of incredible grace! A compelling story of goodness. Highly recommended! Daniel J. Maloney
Saint Paul, Minnesota USA
Rating:
Summary: A fresh new twist to the catastrophic events of 9/11
Review: A light during a time of darkness. When a small town opened its doors and its heart to the passengers stranded when the United States closed its airspace. During a time of utter uncertainty, the residents of Gander, Newfoundland were giving tours, cooking, providing warm showers...in essence, the people of Gander were treating complete strangers as family. Friendships were made and the makings of a great story were formed. Jim Defede did an excellent job capturing the soul of Gander in this book and as a passenger that was stranded...I can say that in a time of extreme uncertainty...Gander rose up and made us all proud to be Canada's neighbor. Read this book. We could all learn a valuable lesson from it. During a time of "good vs. evil", Gander fought the silent fight and made 'good' the victor.
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: A wonderful book, a quick read, full of touching stories of human compassion during a terrible time. The people of Gander went above and beyond to help the nearly 10,000 people who suddenly were dumped on them on that awful day. You will be blessed by the human kindness they showed in every chapter
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Summary: great book read it
Review: an amazing heartwarming story
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Touching Book
Review: As a fellow New Yorker, I too have read a lot of 9/11 books, only to finish them with more sadness in my heart thinking about what great people were lost that day. I decided to buy this book to maybe read about some good that came from this horrible tragedy and boy was this the book to read. I found myself in tears on the train home reading it and immediately sent it to my grandmother a "Newfie" herself. What incredible and kind people are depicted in these stories. It is amazing to me to see how these people had no prejudice of any of the passengers (Russians, Africans, Orthodox Jews, Indians) and welcomed them into their homes, cooked them meals and gave up there beds for them. And these people weren't doing it because they expected to be paid back, they were more worried with the horror most of the passengers were going through being in a place they did not know and unable to deal with the tragedy with their family. Thank You Jim DeFede for lifting up my spirits in this post 9/11 world with this book. And thank you to our fellow Canadians for knowing what a true neighbor is.
Rating:
Summary: a must read
Review: As a lifelong New Yorker still feeling the emotional aftershocks of 9/11, I have found myself unable to pick up any of the hundreds of books that have been published about the 9/11 events. The Day the World Came To Town caught my eye, and as it was a distinctly different book from the many others I have seen(i.e., it focuses on the passenders stranded in Newfoundland after their international flights were grounded on 9/11, but not on the actual devastation in NYC), I purchased it--and I am so grateful that I did. This wonderful and uplifting book reminded me of the kindness and graciousness in people, and went a longway towards restoring my faith in humanity. This book is a treasure for anyone, and an absolute must-read for anyone attempting to come to terms with 9/11.
Rating:
Summary: humanity at it's best
Review: first of all,i'm not rating this book 5 stars cause i'm a newfoundlander and because of the nice things that are being said about us in this book,all over the world newfoundlanders are known as great hospitable people,down to earth,friendly,generous people.i don't need a book to tell me how grand of a people we are cause i have enough tourists already tell me that.what i loved about this book is the feeling you get after reading it,that feeling is that goodness will always triumph over evil.9/11 is a tragedy that will never be forgotten,truly it was one of the most evil acts ever commited on humanity but it's nice to know that even in the most tragic of times that there is some good that comes of it as this inspirational book will show you .
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Summary: Brought me back
Review: Having only recently been given this book it brought back to me those few days I spent in a remote but truly wonderful town. I was on American Airlines flight 101 from Heathrow to JFK and was diverted to Gander that morning. To say I met some of the most amazing people ever would be an understatement. My friend and I were looked after so well. A woman took us to her home so I could call my parents, another took us to her home to shower. Those I remember most fondly are Doug Brittain & his wife who took us into their home to sleep. Amazing people.
Rating:
Summary: One of the nicest stories you'll ever read
Review: I am a first order Canaphile (a person fascinated with anything Canadian) so naturally I devoured this book. I learned a lot about Newfoundland (and how it's actually quite separate from the rest of the maple leaf.) But most importantly, I learned about how a whole province can come together and lend a hand without being asked. It's the story of how people from all walks of life that ended up in the same place during a tragic time, and the people that took care of them. Stories that may seem unreal to some people, like that of George, who just offered a ride to the nearest tavern (and later opened his home) to a group of Texans who were just walking down the road. Countless people opening their homes for a shower or just a few minutes peace. About the mother that invited a US National Security Advisor to her child's birthday party. It also talks about how other passengers dealt with their stranding. Like the chairman of Hugo Boss, the mayor of Frankfort, adoptive parents returning from abroad, and a very colorful prodigal Newfie. Some cried, all ate, and plenty drank enough to "embalm a herd of moose" as the author states. My favorite part of the book in fact was about the Screech-In ceremony which sounds like as much fun as you can have legally.
The author does an excellent job blending all these elements together, and really capturing the feel of a historic moment in time. You can sure bet I'm going to Newfoundland someday.
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