Customer Reviews

Searching for God at Ground Zero

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For the most part, Jim Martin was just like any other American on September 11th--desperate to do "something." But he had what most of us don't--a Roman collar and the knowledge that God's word would be needed the most in that place of unparallelled evil. A policeman escorts him to Ground Zero, and Father Martin is sure he has entered hell.

Frightened by the carnage around him, Father Martin struggles to minister to the firefighters, cops and paramedics frantically digging by hand to reach buddies and strangers alike. But in the end he finds that he does not need to reveal God to these heartbroken rescuers--instead, God's grace is revealed to the world by their tireless sacrifice.

Father Martin gives us a glimpse into the unseen world of Ground Zero in the weeks following the September 11th attacks--it is a story of horror and, surprisingly, of hope and grace. For anyone whose faith was sorely tested by September 11th (and whose wasn't?), this book offers inspiration and solace.

As Sister Helen Prejean said on the back jacket, this is not just another 9/11 book. It is much more than that. Father Martin speaks of course about the heroism and charity of the rescue workers at the World Trade Center, but with this book he also gives the reader a profound meditation on the way that God can work during times of suffering. It is a deeply moving (and beautifully written) book.

Father Martin describes the events of the World Trade Center tragedy of 9/11 in gently vivid, reader-kind prose. I felt I had a true, but down-to-earth description of how it must have been to have actually been on site following this terrible disaster, but without all the "must-sell" hype of news writers and television broadcasters. The scene described by Fr. Martin was descriptive without being gory or graphic. The whole experience of reading about the tragedy and its heros through the author's "eyes" was as a prayer. I want to give this book to all my friends and family, and recommend it highly. cbm/Atlanta, GA

A great book that made me cry and laugh...Father Martin brought me to the tragedy of the twin towers and showed me that grace can be found even amidst horror.

Well written, faith-filled, hopeful and rich in insights. A short read, but most worthwhile.

Fr. James Martin offers up a rare spiritual gem for those seeking an honest and simple account of the recovery effort. He offesr the simple yet profound story of one Jesuit priest's efforts to minister amidst the chaos at the WTC site. Highly recommended as the book to buy for anyone who wants to rememeber and reflect on this tragic day as we approach the fifth year anniversary of 9-11.

This book was fascinating in that you got to see a side of Ground Zero we were unable to see through the media. Only dissapointment is that the book is on the shorter side, it was so good I wanted to read more!