First of all, I purchased the book because I've admired Lisa Beamer for all her strength and dignity in what must be the worst period of her life. When she writes of Todd being a hero (and I completely agree that he as well as the other passengers and flight crew on Flight 93 were heroes), Lisa Beamer is herself a hero. She has been 9/11's Jackie Kennedy--a vision of poise and dignity. Now on to the book. After I finished it, I concluded that if I'd have known Lisa and Todd as a couple, we probably wouldn't have been friends. I'd probably have found their deeply held religious beliefs off-putting. On further examination, I realize that would have been my loss. Lisa quotes alot from the Bible, and for people like myself who consider themselves "spiritual" but not religious, it might seem to be over the top. But there's one part of the book that has really stuck with me since I've read it. When Lisa describes Todd's memorial service, she writes of a service filled with hope because of her total belief that Todd now dwells in Heaven, and that she will see him again. She also believes in God's will, and that Sept. 11 proved something that we all should have known all along, but might have forgotten: That God is always in control, even when we foolishly think we are. Lisa then goes on to write about a memorial service in Shanksville, PA, a service at which God was never mentioned. Lisa and her brother Paul agree that for those who grieve for loved ones without a complete belief in God, and mourn without hope, that is the saddest, most wretched grief of all. Lisa's book reveals much about Todd Beamer as a boy and young man, how they met and fell in love, and their live as newlyweds and with small children. There's not alot in this book about what exactly happened on that flight, and I don't think there needed to be. I imagine the writing of this book was cathartic to Lisa, and that's a good thing. I think Lisa Beamer is a great lady, and I think she's got a great head on her shoulders and will be able to come through this tragedy and lead a worthwhile and productive life. As far as the book, some of the writing seemed a bit over the top and naive (way too many explanation points for me), but other than that, her story is an awesome one. But think about this...this is just one person's story. For all of the nearly 3,000 people who died that day, I'm sure there are just as many amazing, wonderful, and uplifting biographies that could be written of each and every person who was murdered that day. I hope someday those stories get written, too.
