Matt Doeden - Impact: The Story of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

Early on the morning of September 11, 2001, the United States seemed to be just about the safest place in the world to live. The nation hadnt been attacked on its own soil since the bombing of Pearl Harbor six decades before. War seemed like something that happened elsewhere. Perhaps that, more than anything, is what made the massive terror attacks of that day so shocking.

The U.S. government had seen the warning signs. Threats from cells in nations such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, where anti-American sentiments ran hot, were nothing new. But few citizens knew much about those threats.

So when the attack did come, it was so shocking in scale that those who witnessed it could barely believe what was happening. Around the nation and the world, countless viewers sat glued to their TVs, watching the unbelievable events play out in New York City; Washington, D.C.; and a field in Pennsylvania. Four airplanes. Almost 3,000 people killed. The images viewers saw remain etched in their memories forever.

But the shock of that day for TV viewers was nothing compared to the shock and horror experienced by those who were actually there. The people in this book are real. The events are real. Their stories are real. This is a story about a day full of violence and tragedy. But its also a story of heroism, triumph, and the will to survive even the most extreme circumstances.

Newark International Airport

Oh, this is not what I need, Matt.

Mark Bingham was restless in the passenger seat of his friends car. He glanced down at the clock, then back up at the busy road. His friend Matt weaved in and out of traffic. It was going to be close.

Dont worry, Matt said with a grin. Youll make that flight yet. Its right up here A. He swung the car into a spot right in front of the terminal, slamming on the brakes. Get going!

Thanks, Matt. Sorry to rush off like this.

With a wave to his friend, Bingham grabbed his bag and hurried into Newark International Airport. He had less than 20 minutes until his flight to San Francisco was scheduled to depart. It would be close, but Bingham was an experienced traveler. If anyone could navigate airport security in time, he was the man. Bingham ducked and dodged his athletic frame through the press of people waiting to get on their planes.

With his duffel bag slung over his broad shoulders and his ticket in hand, Bingham rushed down the concourse toward Gate 17. His heart sank as he saw his gate, the words United Airlines Flight 93San FranciscoNow Boarding lit up above. The waiting area was empty, not a passenger in sight. Not good. A United Airlines employee was preparing to shut the gate as he ran up, out of breath.

Am I too late? he huffed.

You cut that one close, said the woman with a smile. Theyre just about to shut the aircraft door. Youll be the last one on. Have a nice flight.

The plane was less than half full, Bingham noted as he stepped aboard. Lots of empty seats. That was good. Nothing was worse than a jam-packed airplane, especially on a cross-country flight. Bingham stashed his bag in the overhead compartment and found his seat in the fourth row. A former rugby player, Bingham was built with broad shoulders. A coach seat would always be a tight fit for him, but here in first class there was plenty of room.

Hey, he said to the man in the seat next to him. This is me, 4D.

Hello, said the man with a smile. Names Tom. Tom Burnett.

Bingham gave him a firm handshake and a smile, glad to be sitting next to a friendly passenger. It seemed like so many passengers just wanted to close themselves off during a flight. Bingham liked to visit, whether it was with passengers or flight attendants. It helped pass the time. Well, I guess wed better get comfortable, Tom. Long flight ahead.

Bingham glanced around the cabin. So many different people. Families, business travelers, tourists. An elderly man was reading the sports section of the newspaper. A young woman was making one last call on her cell phone before shutting it off. A Middle-Eastern young man was just sitting there, looking nervous. Must be afraid of flying, Bingham thought with a smile.

A flight attendant brought Bingham an orange juice. He sat back and took a sip as the pilot came over the intercom.

Sorry, folks, but weve got a delay on the runway. Well be leaving a little late this morning.

One of those days, Bingham thought.

What else can go wrong?

Dulles International Airport

It was a lovely Washington, D.C., morning. The sky was blue and bright. Danielle OBrien sat at her station in the flight control tower of Dulles International Airport. It was a busy weekday morning, and Danielle gripped her headset as she tracked the local air traffic on her screen.

American Airlines Flight 77, climb and maintain 5,000 feet, she said. The big Boeing 757 climbed into the sky, bound for Los Angeles. OBrien tracked the blip that represented Flight 77 and made a quick adjustment, ordering the airplane to climb to 11,000 feet.

Good luck, she told the pilot as the airplane left Washingtons airspace. OBrien was already on to the next flight under her control. Planes came and went all day. Flight 77 was off to California. She never expected to see it again.

But OBrien had not seen the last of Flight 77 that day. Flight 77 was coming back, and because of it, life would never be the same.

The twin towers of the World Trade Center dominated the New York skyline.

The streets of New York City were crowded. People coming and going. Cabs picking up and dropping off. The sidewalks a sea of people. Nicole Simpson loved it. Earlier that morning she had run her fingers through her long dark hair as she looked up at the south tower of the World Trade Center. One-hundred ten storiesjust like its twin, the north tower. The towers gleamed against a bright blue sky. It was going to be a beautiful day.

Life was busy. A mother of two, Simpson was a financial adviser at Morgan Stanley. She had casually made her way up to her 73rd-floor office, grabbing a cup of coffee along the way. She was one of the first in the office, and spent the early morning hours preparing for the rest of her day.