Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down: Twin Towers, 9/11 [Paperback]

Pauline L. Hawkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2012

9/11: The Day That Defined a Generation Where were you on 9/11? That question has become part of the fabric of our lives as Americans. On that bright, sunny day, none of us had any idea what was in store and how it would change our lives. Depending on what part of the country you lived in, you may not have known anything was going on until several hours after the first plane struck. You may not have heard the news until you got to work, turned on your car radio, or received a call from a loved one asking if you had seen or heard the news. Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down is a look at the events of 9/11 from personal and informational perspectives. Author, Pauline Hawkins, who lived in Texas at the time of the attacks, shares her experience of 9/11, and its repercussions for her family, her job, and how she viewed the world. Pauline's story of coping with the news, reframing how she thought about America and the world, and making a conscious decision to become better-informed will resonate with anyone who lived through 9/11. In addition to her personal testimony, Pauline provides a thought-provoking context for the events of 9/11, including political background, social commentary, and reflections on the contributions of everyday heroes. You'll come away from this book both enlightened and comforted by Pauline's honesty and common sense, as well as her heartfelt appreciation of those who sacrificed for our country, and those who continue to work toward healing and rebuilding.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

When I sat down to actually write this book, my expectation was simply to put a few words on paper to work through my own grieving process for 9/11. However, I soon found out that the more I said, the more I had to say. Once I started writing, it was as though the emotional floodgates opened, and all the memories came back -- memories that beckoned to be put on paper. I soon realized that while everyone talked about what happened in New York, at the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania, very little had been said about how that day affected those of us outside of those areas. An entire country, and world, were affected that day. Lives were changed, security lost, and our story should be shared as well. My hope is that you will find this book not only enjoyable but also informative and thought-provoking. I truly have enjoyed sitting down and sharing on these pages my experiences associated with 9/11 and the days and years following.

About the Author

Pauline L. Hawkins was born in Munson Army Hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on Easter Sunday. As her mother says, Pauline chose to enter the world in the middle of a tornado, and she has been going strong ever since. Pauline and her two adult sons currently reside in Texas, where she has been in the health insurance industry for almost thirty years, working her way up from the mailroom to corporate management and claims payment. In 2002, Pauline received her Instructional Design certification, which allows her to create instructor-led and learner-paced training curricula, along with computer-based learning activities and website creation. She has enjoyed the opportunity to exercise her creativity. Pauline has enjoyed writing since she was in high school, and has decided to start sharing her stories. This is her debut book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Anole (June 14, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0578105306
• ISBN-13: 978-0578105307
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,338,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pauline L. Hawkins was born in Munson Army Hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on Easter Sunday. Pauline has been in the health insurance industry for almost thirty years, working her way up from the mailroom to corporate management and claims payment. In 2002, Pauline received her Instructional Design certification, which allows her to create instructor-led and learner-paced training curricula, along with computer-based learning activities and website creation. Pauline has enjoyed writing since she was in high school, and has decided to start sharing her stories. Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down is her debut book.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Account Of 9/11 By Pauline Hawkins August 6, 2012

By Jody

Format:Paperback

Where were you on 9/11? What were you doing at the moment you heard about the horrific news of what was happening in our country? I know where I was and exactly what I was doing, and so does Pauline Hawkins.

As she tells us where she was and what she was doing when she heard this horrible news. She tells us of how she felt throughout her day after the attacks and then some. She gives us details of the attacks, she has really done her research, statistics, quotes from the President and his response after the attacks, her research on bin Laden and who he was, her feelings on terrorism, and so much more.

This book was very well thought out before hand, very hard work, research and tears went into this book, it was almost hard to read this book through tears that I shed myself. It made me stop and think about so many things and number one is how the United States has changed since 9/11, we will NEVER forget, ALL Americans were affected by 9/11 there is no doubt about that at all. I recommend this book to everyone, you won't regret it.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author for an honest review. Thank you Pauline for giving me the opportunity to read your book. It was an awesome, but yet heart wrenching read, and so worth it!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sharpens the memory August 8, 2012

By dd

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Every generation has its day of infamy. 9/11 was ours. As we share the author's memory of the day, our own memory becomes clear. The lesser known details give us a new perspective.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Ashes Ashes October 24, 2012

By lighthouse88

Format:Paperback

Pauline Hawkins presents to her readers her reflections regarding the events and repercussions surrounding September 11, 2001. This nonfiction work is short and briefly covers the ramifications emotionally, economically, socially, and politically of the attack by Osama bin Laden on the United States of America. There is a lot of information contained in this short memoir, and a lot of it was new to me. Like the author, I was somewhat naďve to events that happened outside the United States before 9/11 and immediate thereafter. She purposed to research and educate herself to be betters informed and thus informs us.
The timeline of events beginning with a short bit about bin Laden's biography and continues to that each of the four hijacked planes. What they experienced is shown to be crucially important to discovering who the perpetrators were. Those onboard passengers or flight crew members were able to contact via cell phones or air-to-ground phones authorities and gave them as much information as possible. Also, some were able to contact their families one last time before the inevitable happened.
There is a chapter about the economic fall-out and how the attack changed the airline industry. The fact also that many jobs were sent overseas due to cheaper labor is also covered. The closing of restaurants and small "mom and pop" business in Lower Manhattan is discussed. The close of Wall Street and the NASDAQ, and that affected the world financial markets is talked about as well.
The cost of lives is painfully revealed as she provides some last conversations between passengers and their families that are just heartbreaking.... Not only did thousands lose their lives by being on the planes and in the towers and Pentagon, but those that were the first responders who gave their lives while trying to save others. Those involved in the clean-up effort of all the many tons of debris and how the City of New York government didn't follow federal regulations regarding the wearing of protective respiratory equipment and as a result many of those workers developed chronic respiratory problems and other medical issues related to the toxic air quality. The City of New York government initially refused to pay any medical bills for those employees who took part in the clean-up, so the workers had to sue the city for payment and they won.
There are other topics covered as well with statistics and facts researched by the author. A very interesting chapter on the Patriot Act is included. There is a lot of information to think about and what our reaction as readers should be. I commend the author for encouraging everyone to be more informed about legislation and the government officials we elect to office. Where were you when the twin towers fell? Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting facts about 9/11 September 15, 2012

By Susan

Format:Paperback

This intriguing book details Hawkins' personal account of her experiences with the nation's tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001 in New York City, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. She confirms that while the occupants of those planes and buildings suffered the greatest, and by extension, their families, the United States as a whole was greatly impacted by these events. Hawkins relates her personal concerns as a citizen, mother, and businessperson. The book also gives many interesting facts, some of which this reader was not aware of: that samples of the dust taken at Ground Zero in New York City were found to be as corrosive as drain cleaner; that these events directly impacted the United States' economy; and, that the New York Stock Exchange closure after 9/11 was the longest since the Great Depression in 1933. Fascinating reading!

Susan Uttendorfsky
Owner, Adirondack Editing

5.0 out of 5 stars Where Were You On 9/11? December 15, 2012

By Khamneithang Vaiphei

Format:Paperback

"Where were you on 9/11?," asked Ashes Ashes: The Twins Fall Down which hit the market mid-June 2012.

But who would care to remember?

Or is it? Who can forget where they were when the most audacious terrorist attack in all history brought the Twin Towers crashing down?

That question has become part of the fabric of American lives and most probably that of peace-loving people across the globe. On that bright, sunny day, none of us had any idea what was in store and how it would change our lives. Yet in more than one way it has forever changed the way we view and define freedom and terrorism.

I was intrigued by the title and much to my delight found the book to be so refreshingly different from the many others that I have read about 9/11. In a way this being her debut book, the author, Pauline L. Hawkins, offers new ideas and her own personal and informational perspectives. Culling information from different sources, the book is also a look at the traumatic and frenzied experiences of many people following the events of 9/11.

Author Pauline, who lived in Texas at the time of the attacks, shares her experience of 9/11, and its repercussions for her family, her job, and how she viewed the world. Pauline's story of coping with the news, reframing how she thought about America and the world, and making a conscious decision to become better-informed will resonate with anyone who lived through 9/11.

The author admitted that she "was living in my own little world prior to 9/11" and was not even aware of a man who went by the name "Osama bin Laden". After 9/11 unfolded in its ugliest form she started researching about him and included a chapter in the book titled, "Who is this Osama bin Laden?...' Another interesting chapter is entitled, "What is this thing called The USA Patriot Act?"

In addition to her personal testimony, Pauline provides a thought-provoking reflections on the contributions of everyday heroes. You'll come away from this book both enlightened and comforted by Pauline's honesty and common sense, as well as her heartfelt appreciation of those who laid down their lives, and those who continue to work toward healing and rebuilding.

She concluded,
Let us not forget:
-343 firefighters and paramedics killed
-23 NYPD officers killed
-37 Port Authority police officers killed
-1402 who died in Tower One
-614 who died in Tower Two
-658 who died at Cantor Fitzgerald
-1717 families who received no remains
-1609 who lost a spouse or partner in the attacks
-3051 children who lost a parent

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

A wonderfully written book by a debutant, I personally feel that any socially conscious family shouldn't be without this book. Read more ›