In keeping with the commemoration of September 11th, I have chosen to review books that in some way hearken back to the men and women who have made this country what it is today. This novel by Terri Blackstock,while it is last in the series I will be reviewing, was written to honor the men and women who served us during 9/11 and I think it’s very appropriate to review this book today.
Taken from the acknowledgement:
“As many of you know, I fully intended to end this series with Book 4, “Trial by Fire.” But on September 11, 2001, as I mourned the loss of so many firefighters, paramedics, and police officers in the line of duty, I was overwhelmed with the need to say even more about those men and women who are among America’s truest heroes. For the work they do day in and day out, keeping us secure and saving our lives, they have my deepest gratitude and admiration.”
Jill Clark Nichols is taking a deposition from a corrupt businessman on one of the highest floors of the Icon building in New Orleans when a fire alarm begins to ring. Thinking that the businessman arranged for the interruption, she doesn’t immediately react until they get a phone call from security, saying that a bomb has been found and they need to evacuate, now. Heading for the stairs, she starts down, only to be thrown two floors when the bomb explodes somewhere above her.
Dan Nichols and the other emergency service workers from Newpointe, 40 miles away from New Orleans, are called in to help. Dan knows Jill was in the building and is eager to get in and find her. They rush into the building just moments before the second bomb goes off and many are trapped, some crushed, some in pockets created by the steel girders.
The rescuers work tirelessly, digging through rubble and bringing out as many people alive as they can. Some are just dirty; many are burned, but most are dead. Jill makes it out alive, but learns that Dan has gone in and has not been seen since. Panicked, she tries to go back in, but is kept out by the police and can only wait for word.
All of the emotion we felt on 9/11 comes back in this novel, as does the respect we felt for our firefighters and police officers. None of us can ever thank them enough for what they did for us as a nation, and this book serves as a fitting tribute to their lives and their sacrifices. We will never fully understand all they went though, but after reading this novel, I feel as if I can somewhat grasp their determination, and it makes me all that more grateful to them. This is a very touching and fitting final installment in a sensational series.
(This book was published by Zondervan in 2003)
Many other fabulous blogs about 9/11 have been posted today. Be sure to look for them.