Wake-Up Call: The Political Education of a 9/11 Widow (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: terrorist summit, joint inquiry, staff statements, White House, United States, President Bush (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In September of 2001, Breitweiser had a tumor in her breast, was suffering from colitis and lupus and recovering from the death of her mother from cancer of the mouth. Then terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center, killing her beloved husband and hundreds more. Devastated, the New Jersey stay-at-home mom became an activist, channeling her pain and rage into learning everything she could about the U.S. government's role in the attacks—an excruciating journey that is carefully chronicled in this emotionally charged memoir. Colloquial in tone, Breitweiser recounts how she and three widow pals—her fellow "Jersey Girls"—began lobbying the government to establish an independent 9/11 commission to explore all that went wrong that day. With narrative ease, the author, who has a law degree, breaks down complex arguments and political theories: one chapter is dedicated to a single footnote from The 9/11 Investigations, while another segment explains why negligence is cheaper than prevention for airlines and governments. But in episodes where she mouths off to Henry Kissinger and campaigns for the "awkward" John Kerry, her frustration palpably grows. Though not the most elegant storyteller, Breitweiser has produced a touching account of her history and ongoing mission that's bound to achieve prominence thanks to Ann Coulter's recent attacks on the author. (Sept.)
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From Booklist

Breitweiser, whose husband perished in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, describes in searing, intimate detail the tragic events of that morning and the following days. As she suddenly morphed from wife into widow, her initial confusion was transformed into blind, futile rage. A few months later, she joined forces with several other 9/11 widows; fueled by anger and energized by a zealous sense of mission, these women were determined not only to survive but also to get to the bottom of what happened in order to "make sure someone is held responsible so that nobody else ever has to walk in our shoes." Breitweiser's odyssey from wife and mother to political activist and grassroots organizer makes for inspirational reading and doubles as a sharp rejoinder to Ann Coulter's callous comments about 9/11 widows in her recently published diatribe, Godless: The Church of Liberalism. This heartfelt memoir will resonate with most Americans regardless of their political affiliations and serve as a reminder to many that there is still work to be done and action to be taken. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1ST edition (September 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446579327
• ISBN-13: 978-0446579322
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #646,575 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Cup of Public Caffeine, April 23, 2007

By	!Edwin C. Pauzer (New York City) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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On September 11, 2001, Ron Breitweiser called his wife to tell her that there was an explosion in the other twin tower; he saw people jumping out of the windows to their deaths. He told her not to worry, he was all right. That was the last time she would ever talk to her husband. Kristen Breitweiser's life was about to literally collapse.

This is a well-written, poignant, heart-felt story of a woman who first blew off the man with whom she would later fall in love, and to whom she remained attached at the hip until his death. Infant daughter, golden retriever, home in the country and near the shore, and devoted husband transformed from an elysium dream to a stygian nightmare in one day.

After her shock, Kristen wanted answers. Why was legislation passed preventing airlines from being sued by victims? Why did the Bush administration oppose an independent commission, refuse to allow the commission to have subpoena power, limit the duration of the commission, stonewall on providing documents, refuse to allow the president to give sworn testimony, place restrictions on testimony of other White House staffers, spend $50,000,000 to investigate the loss of the Columbia Shuttle, but initially offer only $3,000,000 to investigate the greatest attack in US history? (An investigation into the attack on Pearl Harbor began twelve days after.)

This is Kristen Breitweiser's odyssey from New Jersey housewife to activist and advocate. She and three other widows a.k.a the "Jersey Girls," endured snide editorials from conservative rags, governmental lethargy, promises kept and broken, and stonewalling. They made innumerable trips to Washington D.C. for change and they were changed in the process, from Bush-supporting republicans to those holding an administration's secretive feet to the fire.

My only disappointment came when this classy, lawyer-educated widow felt a need to pen an afterword to a neurotic, spoiled brat who craves attention in any form, named Ann Coulter. But even in this 2nd person account, Breitweiser stayed on the high road. Then again, against Coulter that doesn't require much effort.

Please read the book. It truly is a wake-up call.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I read this in one night, September 7, 2006

By	Lisa Scott (Georgia) - See all my reviews

Kristen is bluntly honest about her experiences as a 9/11 widow who got more insight into the workings of our government than she ever wanted. She is an incredible writer and her experience is vividly recounted to the readers. Her honestly is haunting at some points. Kristen does not mince words, and the reader senses that she respects them and their ability to handle the truth. She is just so real and seems like someone who could be a friend if you had ever met her.

The only criticism I have is that Kristen should not have wasted time commenting on Ann Coulter. Ann Coulter is a publicity hungry shew and Kristen is leagues above her in class, knowledge and experience. I felt that Kristen should not have lowered herself to Ann's level. Ann just wants attention, Kristen wants change.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Political Education for us ALL!, September 12, 2006

By	Erin Esposito "esposito" (Rochester, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The title of this book suggests a political education of a 9/11 widow, but since Kristen Breitweiser has written this eloquent and amazing book, it truly has become a political education for us all!

Breitweiser became widowed on 9/11 when her soulmate, best friend, husband, and daughter's father was tragically murdered by terrorist as he was working on the 94th floor of the World Trade Center. Ron Breitweiser was only 39 years old and neither him or his wife expected that he would no longer be around for his "Sweets" (the term of endearment he affectionately used for his wife) and his beautiful baby daughter, Caroline. But 9/11 happened and Kristen's life was transformed in ways she never would have fathomed.

Breitweiser banded with three other widows and they became known as the "Jersey Girls" during their journey in lobbying the government to establish an independent commission to investigate 9/11. Each of the four women brought unique skills to the team, and they balanced each other out beautifully. The Jersey Girls became incredibly close friends and America's strongest lobbyist for the 9/11 Commission. Without them, there would probably have not ever been a 9/11 Commission established.

Most people might look at this book and think it is a biography about a 9/11 widow. It is that, but it is not only that. It is much, much, much more! The bulk of the book's contents are really a narrative of the journey in establishing the 9/11 Commission more than it is a biography of Breitweiser's life.

I feel as though I learned more from reading Breitweiser's book than I have from all the variety of sources of information over the past five years. Truly - it is remarkable! I strongly urge all people to read this book. If you truly care about America, you will need to read this book. If you want to gain a better understanding and insight to how our system operates, you will need to read this book.

Breitweiser is a true trooper. America would be at a different place today if she and the other Jersey Girls never became the strong activists they did. Kudos to them for working so hard in an effort to keep America safe for our children and future generations!