Customer Reviews

Hero of Flight 93: Mark Bingham (An Advocate Books Life Story)

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Jon Barrett's book on Flight 93 hero Mark Bingham is a magnificent and inspiring tale of heroism in the face of what would be for most of us overwhelming fear and adversity. The emotional tsunami caused by the attacks on September 11, 2001 generated countless stories of outrage and despair, but also many stories of strength and courage. With the one-year anniversary of those September tragedies lurking around the corner it's an appropriate time to read this thoughtful, well-researched and inspiring book of one man's courage in the face of terrorism. If you appreciate the "behind the scenes" aspects of the news, this is a book for you.

I was shocked and sickened a year ago when I first saw Mark's picture on TV and realized that it was the young man who had spent many visits with me in 1990 confiding, sharing and talking with me about life while wrestling with his deepest secret - his sexuality. I posted my memories of him as a farewell to the markbingham.org website his friends established and because of that was contacted by a number of people who wished to interview me about Mark's life in addition to his first peek out of "the closet". I declined all of these requests except Barrett's because of the caliber of his work as a reporter. His article in the December 2001 Advocate is just a taste of this full-length work.

What Jon has done is present an accurate, even-handed and thorough portrait of a young man's life that is as engaging, compelling and entertaining as Mark himself could be. Through extensive insightful interviews with Mark's friends and family (not merely quotes lifted from existing sources as some have tried) the book makes the important point that Bingham was a hero who happened to be gay, and not "just" a Gay Hero.

What a wonderful book protraying Mark for who he was. I had the honor of knowing this fine man. It was wonderful to read about different things that happened in Mark's life and remembering him telling me about those times.

September 11, 2001, brought many heroes forth. I do not think people in our nation really knew what others would do for others and and what cost to themselves. Mark's selfless acts were a modest reflection of the many things he did for others.

His story is extremely well told and will give you more insight into the day will now think of as, Patriot Day. He was truly a patriot. His actions and those of all the people on board Flight 93 have given us hope since they fought the first battle against terrorism.

Reading this book was the most moving experience I have had in a long time. I really wish I had the honor of having known Mark Bingham, but now I find that I mourn his loss just as if I had. He, along with the others of Flight 93, should never be forgotten for their ultimate act of bravery. It will take me a long time to get this short account of such a rich and full life out of my mind, and it will never leave my heart. We must all promise ourselves never to forget Sept. 11 and stick together the way Mark did with those he loved. Rest in peace, Mark, and God bless all of you.

In the aftermath of 9/11, several news articles mentioned that Mark Bingham was gay and a Republican. As a gay Republican myself, this naturally interested me. However, according to this biography, he was actually a Libertarian, though like most Libertarians he agreed with the GOP on many issues and on at least one occasion he worked for a Republican's campaign.

What's really striking about this biography is how very normal Mark Bingham was. He was nicer than a lot of people, and he did show a protective instinct all of his life; once he attacked a mugger to protect his friends from him. But aside from this, he was a fairly ordinary young man with career successes and failures behind him, working and having fun with his friends and wondering if he was doing the right thing with his life and if he was ever going to find a life partner.

It was also a little amusing that the biographer tried to gloss over one of the few qualities in Mark Bingham that would be likely to offend some: he was a "bear" and like some conventionally masculine gay men, effeminate gay men bothered him. Barrett mentions this as briefly as he can and then emphasizes the more tolerant comments Bingham made about effeminate gay men, trying to imply that Bingham knew his distaste for them was wrong and was striving to overcome it. Maybe that's true, but I could see that Barrett was concerned that this bit of personal taste might prejudice gay readers against him.

All in all, it's a good and balanced study of an ordinary man who became a hero because the opportunity sought him out. It's inspiring to know that such an ordinary man can be so heroic.

Of all of the coverage on the heroes of 9/11, this is truly a remarkable addition. A must-read. I could not put it down - the writing is beautiful, the story amazing, the hero just that. If you are to read only one account of this harrowing day, let it be this.

This short biography of Mark Bingham, who died on Flight 93 that terrible day of September 11, 2001, most likely as a member of a heroic group attempting to thwart the hijackers who had taken over his plane, is carefully written and researched by one of the senior editors of the Advocate. He's done the best job possible of presenting Mark Bingham as the human being he was, which includes the fact that he was a gay man. The parallels and differences drawn between Bingham and the gay man who saved Gerald Ford from possible assassination by Sara Jane Moore are very striking and food for thought. Most of the quotes are carefully chosen and only occasionally, as in a long string of e-mail correspondence between Bingham and a friend, is there a suspicion of padding.

Ultimately the impact of this book is muted solely by the fact that no words can adequately reproduce the impact of the attacks that changed America forever, and too many facts tend to obscure, rather than clarify, the subject and its attendant emotions. The short quote from Mark Bingham about his philosophy of life near the end of the book, as related by one of his friends, is more moving in context than anything else. If you know what I'm talking about, it's not necessary to read the rest; if you don't, it's worth buying the book just to read that.

This book has been successfully written to tell the story like it should be told. Mark Bingham and the others on United Flight 93 have given new meaning to the term Hero!! This book is a wonderful addition to any collection of the events of 9/11!! Mark stood up in the face of terror and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is because of him and the other heroes, that an even greater tragedy was avoided. This day could have been much worse if not for the courageous efforts of people like Mark Bingham!!!

I absolutely loved this book. I remember hearing about him after the attacks, but didn't learn about this book until recently. He lived a great adventure in life that makes you want to really do all you can with your own. I would definitely recommend finding this book and reading it.