The Day the World Came to Town - 9/11 in Gander

I loved everything about this book. It has restored my faith in the human race. Such loving and generous people were so amazing, I could hardly believe what I was reading. It has warmed my heart, and I know it is making me want to be a better friend to mankind.

Was excited to read this book and learn more about what happened in Gander after seeing the musical "Come From Away." I am currently 20 pages in and am having trouble reading some pages from where there is discrepancies in the print color of over half the book. One page may be dark black, but the next one is so light you can barely make out words.

The impact of ~6500 people suddenly landing (over a few hours) and how this "little" GIANT of a community/nation stepped up is a declaration of humanity at its FINEST. I have the e-book form and once settled in, I WILL buy the hard back. After reading this wonderful story, I plan on visiting Gander. A wonderful read and I recommend it without reservation.

Fantastic Book, well written, and his description of the people is right on. I have visited Newfoundland and the people are just as he described. They are a refreshing, wholesome people. I was there for the TargaNewfoundland, a rally race. The people treated us like movie stars. We went thru St. John's, Gander, and, my favorite, Leading Tickles. The book made me long to go back for another visit. Thank you for writing such a beautiful tribute to the unsung people of Newfoundland.

Enjoyed the subject matter a lot. The writing style is ok but not great. However, well worth the read if for no other reason than to remind us that there really are wonderful people out there who are willing to go out of their ways - purely out of the goodness of their hearts - to help strangers.

It was fortuitous that on the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this book was recommended to me by my mother. It is a wonderful tale of human kindness in the face of a horrible event. The characters, both passengers and townspeople of Newfoundland are brought to life in this charming story of the six days immediately following 9/11.

Very uplifting book about a terrible day in history, a story that could have been easily missed. Restores your faith in humanity and makes me want to visit Newfoundland. My only critique was that it covered so many characters that it was hard to keep track of them all. Wish I'd made a legend when I started reading it so when they were referred to later in the book I would remember who they were! Although, I don't know how else the story could have been told. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable read! Thank you Mr. DeFede for bringing this delightful and memorable story to print!

A new musical based on the events described in this book--"Come From Away"-- is heading to Broadway: Having seen it (twice) during its run in Washington, DC, I wanted to learn more about the people who spent those days together in Newfoundland. This book did not disappoint but continued the story of inspiration and hope that rose out of those very dark days in September, 2011.

With all the horrific things that happened on 9/11, this tells the story of how wonderful people (total strangers) were treated by the heartwarming townspeople in Newfoundland. It truly restores your faith in humanity. Everyone should read this and be SO thankful that in all of the evil there were gracious, selfless, giving people who freely stepped up and helped out. Keep kleenex close by as you read as this tugs at your emotions. Stand up and cheer for Canada! THANK YOU

This is absolutely the most heart-warming book I have read in a very long time! I bought this book before taking a vacation to Newfoundland; the title intrigued me, although I had never heard of Gander.

I assumed this might be a heart-WRENCHING book, considering the subject matter. Instead, it is a collection of short stories about 9/11/2001 and the following days, when the small town of Gander was inundated with thousands of foreigners from all over the world as all flights were forced to land. It tells how the town took care of its unexpected "guests"; it shows us that GOOD does indeed still exist, despite the ongoing confrontations with evil.

If you want to feel renewed faith in the kindness of people, READ THIS BOOK.

I loved this book. It illustrates what we experienced in Newfoundland...warmth, and a feeling of belonging. The passengers of the many flights diverted on 9/11 were welcomed into the community as family, not strangers. Their stories, and those of the community will stay with me for a long, long time. A must read.

Loved the readable interesting documentary of 9/11 & aye following in Gander, New Foundland. Made me want to go there and meet some of those wonderful, magnanimous folks! I recommend this book. Nancy A.

Heart-warming, a reaffirmation of human empathy backed up with action and generosity. I am sure many lasting friendships were born and trips made for visits, plenty of phone calls and cards. Very moving story.

This book although very emotional as all 9/11 stories are has a lighthearted theme to it. It shows the good in man at times of despair and how we can come together for the better. Newfoundland people have taught the rest of us a lot.

Extremely uplifting and hopeful for the human race. Phenomenal efforts went into their accommodating the unexpected visitors. Amazing that the hometown people thought of so many details that certainly helped toward the overall pleasant experience I'd heard of but really had no idea of the complexity of their cooperation to make it work.

This book shows a very different perspective of 9/11 that is rare. It also shows the best of people can come from unexpected places. I initally bought this on my kindle and liked it so much I bought 2 more in paperback to share with family and friends. Not suprising everyone who I have shared my paperback copies with has loved it as much as I did. l would love to see this made into a movie.

I loved the personal stories of specific help, like Gander residents offering their own home to stranded plane passengers for them to shower and change!
Until I read this book, I was not aware of the extensive shutdown of US airspace after the attack on the twin towers. I also did not realize the extensive number of planes and airlines that were affected by this horrible terror attack.

A beautiful story about the town of Gander that helped stranded passengers on that horrible day in 2001. This is a feel-good story about how a town came together to help those affected on 9-11 when their planes had to make emergency landings in Gander, New Foundland.

The portrayal of the experiences of the residents and passengers in Gander as a result of 9/11 can accurately be duplicated in the experiences of those residents and passengers that found themselves together in St John's as well. I was there and can attest to the kindness, generosity, and compassion of the St John's community.

I loved the personal stories of specific help, like Gander residents offering their own home to stranded plane passengers for them to shower and change!
Until I read this book, I was not aware of the extensive shutdown of US airspace after the attack on the twin towers. I also did not realize the extensive number of planes and airlines that were affected by this horrible terror attack.

A beautiful story about the town of Gander that helped stranded passengers on that horrible day in 2001. This is a feel-good story about how a town came together to help those affected on 9-11 when their planes had to make emergency landings in Gander, New Foundland.

The portrayal of the experiences of the residents and passengers in Gander as a result of 9/11 can accurately be duplicated in the experiences of those residents and passengers that found themselves together in St John's as well. I was there and can attest to the kindness, generosity, and compassion of the St John's community.

This was such a wonderful book. Well written & very interesting. 9/11 had a huge impact on the people of Gander, New Foundland. When the airways above the USA were closed, many planes with thousands of people had to land in Gander & immediate accommodations had to be put into place in this fairly small town.

I received this book as a Christmas gift. I couldn't put it down. Although the events happened almost 13 years ago, it still seems like yesterday. This is a wonderful, true story that continues to reinforce my faith in that there are still people who are giving and selfless with no hidden agendas.

If you want to read a book that will inspire you, this is it.

Loved the heart warming story of how Gander welcomed the stranded passengers from 9-11. You will remember where you were that day and while you were consumed in your own personal way it affected you, it helps you remember the way it affected so many others NOT at ground zero, Shanksville and the Pentagon. A must read for those of us who were old enough to remember that day.

This book was wonderful! It arrived yesterday late in the afternoon and I finished it this morning. The book was very well written and even more important to me and my family it was an uplifting view of the generosity and kindness of the people that came to our country's aide. I want to thank the author for writing this book. There is someone else I need to thank. Sir, I don't know your name my husband, David, was in too much shock at the time to remember if you even gave it but September 11 2001 you took him off the street in New York and gave him water and the opportunity to phone home. Whoever you are I hope you see this and know my family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.

This book makes want to visit Gander. I really never thought about where all the planes went to and the stories that came from those landings. Well this book if full of the story of those planes and passengers affect by the 9/11 attacks. A great read. great stories. Thank a Newfie if you see one!!

This book reminds one that there are still fantastic right minded people in the world who can give 100% when the need is there, and after 9/11 the people of Ganda were there for the world. Uplifting and well presented!

This is an interesting book from an historical perspective. It reads like a number of journalistic articles and is somewhat choppy for that reason. Nevertheless, the town and the people are interesting. It is wonderful to learn of people so willing to come to the aid of others in what was an international tragedy.

This book took a terrible day in United States history and showed us some of the beautiful things that came out of it. The author kept the story engaging, I read it in 2 days And enjoyed it thoroughly

I loved and appreciated this good! I did share how I felt about this book to my Book Club. I loved the historical facts given. The only thing was Chapter 17 was in too much detail about the drinking...I wanted to know the facts of the people in the town and the feelings of the people involved in the happenings.