Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves [Paperback]

Deena L. Burnett (Author), Anthony F. Giombetti (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

In FIGHTING BACK, Deena Burnett (widow of Flight 93 hero Tom Burnett) tells the story of how she fought back to find purpose and joy in her life again, after her husband was killed on that fateful day. Her story demonstrates how each of us can move forward through the hardships of life and have a positive impact on others through the belief that at some point in our lives, we are all called on to be heroes. Deena uses the actions of the passengers of Flight 93 and her own life as examples to re-define our concept of heroism and demonstrate the power of everyday heroes who do the right thing at the right time, no matter how big or small. Deena's story compels us as readers to look at our own lives and realize we each have a choice. If we choose the right way and react positively to the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we can all be transformed into everyday heroes. FIGHTING BACK will encourage you. It will make you laugh. It will cause you to cry. It will touch your heart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deena Burnett

Deena Burnett is the mother of three young daughters, Halley, Madison, and Anna Clare, and the widow of Tom Burnett. Her husband was a passenger on United Airlines flight 93 on September 11, 2001.

Deena has become a well known voice for the victims’ families of September 11. She successfully spearheaded an effort to have the Flight 93 cockpit voice recorder released in April 2002. She is currently the lead plaintiff in an unprecedented lawsuit to bankrupt terrorist organizations. Twice, she served as a witness in the criminal trials of Al Qaeda members in Europe.

In addition to volunteering in her church and community, Deena serves on the boards of the Tom Burnett Family Foundation, Ballet Arkansas, The Twentieth Century Club, and the Families Against the Funding of Terrorism. She is also a speaker for the Young America’s Foundation and travels around the country speaking to civic organizations and universities.

She resides in Little Rock, Arkansas with her daughters, her new husband, Rodney, and his son, Tanner.

Anthony Giombetti

Anthony Giombetti is principal of Gio Public Relations, a Minneapolis-based integrated communications firm. Previously, Anthony was director of communications, press, and publicity at ShopNBC, the commerce channel of NBC. Prior to that he was founding editor of Minnesota Business, where he was awarded the Media Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration of Minnesota. Anthony also received the Media Advocate of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners – the first time any male has won that award. He is a past contributor to Twin Cities Business, the nation’s #1 regional business magazine. Anthony also volunteers for the Minnesota Special Olympics, the Hennepin County READY Youth Program, and Vail Place. Anthony resides in Maple Grove, Minnesota with his lovely wife, Angela.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Advantage Inspirational (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159755037X
• ISBN-13: 978-1597550376
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making the Right Choices, July 21, 2006

By 

Lori J. Duffy (Danville, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves (Paperback)

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Deena's story inspires me to be a better person, to make right choices not only for myself but for my family and my country. Her determination to make her husband's life count for something by her perseverance to not let America forget what happened on 9/11 is admirable. She struggled to keep her little girls safe and secure, sacrificed her time to get the message "Stand up and Fight" out to the world, and shared her innermost thoughts of losing the love of her life. She is to be admired for her openness in sharing such a difficult time in her life and her boldness in sharing her faith in God.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another book on Sept. 11th, January 5, 2007

By 

Pamela Ziemer (Chicago) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves (Paperback)

I had seen Deena Burnett on tv during the days after Sept. 11th. She told her story in a very quiet way. When i read her book i saw a strength and depth in her and her husband Tom that was amazing. This book told me their story but also shed more lite on that terrible day. When a tragedy has a voice, it makes it impossible to forget it. It left me feeling that we all have to do our part in paying attention to the world around us. We all have to have a voice and keep moving forward, even when we think we cannot.

A Must Read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A call to be a better husband and father, July 25, 2009

By 

Bill E. Ramsey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves (Paperback)

While all of us remember exactly where we were on September 11th, Deena's book provides the insight of someone very personally involved. Most of all, I left the book inspired to live as a better husband and better father. Tom's example in life, and tragically in death, remind us of the courageous and honorable people that we'd like to be.