One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001 [Hardcover]

Editors of Life Magazine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2001

During our nation's most trying times, it has been LIFE that has provided the images that help us understand, remember, and in the process, renew. Now the editors of LIFE have assembled a moving, brilliantly illustrated account of tragedy and triumph. This is about firemen going in amidst the rubble, but it is also about a Frenchman in Paris holding up a sign that says, "We are all Americans." This is about our leaders taking charge, but it is also about schoolchildren in Iowa hanging an American flag on a tree in their backyard. Beginning with the history of lower Manhattan, the book explains what happened on September 11, profiles many of the heroes, victims and rescuers (fireman, police, doctors, and rescue dogs among them), and paints an inspiring portrait if a nation and world coming together in sadness, pride and resolve.The book is more than photographs. Explanatory text runs throughout, and the book also includes a selection of original essays about America and September 11, written by such notables as Maya Angelou, Thomas Keneally (Schindler's List), Stephen Ambrose, Melissa Fay Greene (The Temple Bombing), AndreiCodrescu, Gordon Parks, Doug Stanton (In Harm's Way), Bob Greene (Duty), James Bradley (Flags of Our Fathers), and others. All profits from the sales of this book will be donated to American Red Cross, September 11th Fund, International Association of Fire Fighters, New York Fraternal Order of Police WTC Fund, The National Organization for Victim Assistance, and The Twin Towers Fund. When Americans think of photographic journalism at its finest, they think of LIFE magazine. This book will draw upon the best photographers employed by TIME, LIFE, PEOPLE and other magazines. Many of the photographers have had their own collections published in book form.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

New York mayor Guiliani introduces the book the editors of Life magazine have assembled as a tribute to the fallen and the survivors. Their book offers an array of very moving photographs, particularly a sequence taken by an evacuee on his long way down and out of one of the towers. The text relates the personal and poignant stories of survivors, family members of those who were lost, and rescue workers. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...the Life book stands out as the best of the bunch--which is no surprise..." -- The Chicago Tribune

"One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001, by the editors of Life magazine, is the most comprehensive." -- USA Today, 11/15/2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (December 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316525405
• ISBN-13: 978-0316525404
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.8 x 11.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,657 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is Needed., December 2, 2001

By 

Craig Parker (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001 (Hardcover)

I have read a few reviews and comments from other places as to why these types of books popped up after the tragedy. Some call it abusing the publishing arena to make bank account rather than the account. First we need a record of this account whether the material is for profit, since we all will profit from this for many reasons and lessons. Our history has been altered, can you imagine if people forgot about Pearl Harbor. I was at Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941, and I was in Manhattan September 11th 2001. The same shock and memories crossed me in the instant. The same pain befell me. Amongst the damage incurred and all the planes in the air, there were some Japanese planes that crashed that day, the memories are easy to bear now. I believe our pain will soon subside, then, when we look at the pictures in this book and the written account, we will be able to decide our direction. I have the original Life Magazines for the entire year of 1942, and many through 1946. When I looked at them when the war was finished, my contentment could not be surpassed. When I look at them now, I feel we can do it again, even better. We need it to remember for many reasons.

This Book is the best account I have seen to date and would suggest buying it for your Grand children. Show them when they are old enough to understand. They will be able to decide whats best for America.

I want to recommend a very good book that is everything about the events come to us, and gives us some fine direction. SB 1 or God by Karl Maddox

104 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO A TRAGIC TIME, November 15, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001 (Hardcover)

Life Magazine, for as long as it has been in existence, has been known for its vivid portrayal in words and photographs of life's events, both joyous and tragic. This book is no exception. How could anyone read about the devastating events of September 11, 2001 and not be moved. Throughout "One Nation" the reader will recapture the events as they unfolded, meet both survivors and courageous rescuers, and still be left with that plaguing question, "in this century, in a time of peace and prosperity, how could this horrific event possibly have happened?"

One need not be an American to appreciate this book, for the tragic events pictured here could happen anywhere. Where, is only a matter of geography. It is not appropriate to say it is an enjoyable book to read, for it is not. The events revealed here defy description and are so horrific they will stay with you forever. However, the book is a compelling one to read. For those who do not live near New York, it puts the reader in touch with the reality of the events. Life Magazine has produced a moving and impressive account, both in words and photographs, of what will become an unforgettable time in history. "One Nation" shows through the eyes of endless rescue workers, from all walks of life, that the world with all its tragedy, unpredictability and despair is also still a world filled with tremendous compassion and love for one's fellow man.

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Images that Haunt, Images that Move, November 17, 2001

By 

H. Harvey (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001 (Hardcover)

Wow.

This book will be the definitive collection of first-rate photographs and images of September 11th and its aftermath. "One Nation" is a must have regardless of whether you've been collecting other magazine or newspaper images of September 11th. It's hardbound with thick stock paper, pretty close in design to a coffee-table book. The hundreds of stunning photographs, coupled with the detailed narrative, make it an ideal collector's book and a thoughtful gift. It's sure to be a hand-me-down to children and grandchildren as well.

This breathtaking book of pictures is divided into numerous sections, more or less organized by chronology. Let me describe a few highlights, since there are too many images to describe in this short space. One of the first sections, tells (and shows in pictures) the story of how the World Trade Center was designed and built. That section has quotes from the architect and pictures from the Towers' development process. The next major section is devoted exclusively to a minute-by-minute description of the Events of September 11th (what some of us here simply call "ES11"). This section has dozens upon dozens of pages of pictures and text -- all from September 11th. You can't help but be moved by some familiar images from television as well as an array of touching photos that have never been released in this format. The narrative to this incredibly detailed section also includes detailed maps, timelines of key events, and profiles of survivors, those who passed away, and individual heroes. The pictures are powerful, almost all in vivid color, and show the moments of September 11th unfolding in real time.

The middle chapters include an essay about the history of New York and the City's importance in our natural and global culture. One of these chapters is a beautiful photo essay of the nation's activities in the month following September 11th. The photos show mourners in various cities, various ways the flag was symbolically displayed, and images of soldiers leaving for battle. One such picture shows a soldier and his wife saying goodbye, while trying to hold back tears and fear. It will move you. Another touching section from the middle of the photo-book
tells the moving stories of a variety of heroes who emerged on September 11th. You'll read about (and see touching pictures of) the passengers on Flight 93, an unsung hero on Flight 11, Father Judge, the chaplain of the NYFD, the "Lucky 6" of the NYFD, even the touching story of the search and rescue dogs who made a difference in the rubble. There's also a lengthy collection of photos and profiles developed by legendary Time photographer Joe McNally, for his Ground Zero Portrait Project. The Portrait Project excerpt has pages of photos and profiles of a variety of people who came together for the rescue and recovery mission. The full page pictures and short biographies remind us that New York is the most diverse city in the United States, and that public service knows no bounds of age or race.

Sprinkled throughout the book are poetry and essays written just for this collection, including "Bottomless Tuesday" by Gordon Parks, the wonderful filmmaker and photographer, and "Extravagant Spirits" by our legendary poet Maya Angelou.

The last sections of the book focus on life in the weeks and months after September 11th. Here, you'll see touching pictures of a recovering New York, including a beautiful shot of children playing by the East River, against a backdrop of where the Towers were formerly visible. There are also somber images of post-September 11th funerals and the war effort.

I live and work in Manhattan, and I'm not afraid to admit that despite feeling and seeing the heavy dose of real-life and news coverage up close, the images in this book still brought me to a moment of true reflection and humility. The book also showed me a side of New York that I've seen on the streets here but that much of the rest of the world hasn't begun to fully appreciate.

I have only two small quibbles with the book. First, there aren't enough images or narrative about the events in Pennsylvania and Virginia/D.C. Second, there isn't a whole lot of exploration of the people or issues that caused this tragedy. Maybe, in a book entitled "One Nation", that's how it was meant to be.

Taken as a whole, "One Nation" represents a great and triumphant return for LIFE Magazine and its chronicling of the American story. It captures a truly unique and tragic time in American history -- one that made us pause admidst our differences to share a moment of deep reflection about ourselves, our country, and our truly global world.