Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion [Hardcover]

Susan Hagen (Author), Mary Carouba (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: July 10, 2002

This book is a powerful collection of first-person stories told by female firefighters, police officers, paramedics, EMTs, and others who responded to the events of September 11 and its aftermath. Women at Ground Zero provides a unique perspective on the events of that terrible day through the eyes of women rescuers who risked their lives to save others. Through their heartbreaking and inspiring stories, the voices of female rescue workers and their contributions at Ground Zero are finally heard.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1st edition (July 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028644220
• ISBN-13: 978-0028644226
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #485,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! A Must Read, July 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion (Hardcover)

I just received my copy of the book and couldn't put it down. I had no idea there were so many women hereoes on that day, and these women are truly heroes. Their stories are at the same time gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring. If you read one book on the September 11 tragedy this should be the one. The authors have done a terrific job.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, August 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion (Hardcover)

I started reading this book on a Saturday morning and finished it before the weekend was over because each fascinating portrait compelled me to read the next. The unique perspective of the women heroes gives an emotional snapshot of what it must have been like for everyone in Manhattan that unimaginable day, and how it continues to haunt them. But their tales are also a patchwork from which the reader can extract common themes that define the horrific events of the day, and the days and weeks following, that changed our lives forever. Words cannot express my gratitude to these women for their selfless efforts.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heroines and role models abound!, July 10, 2003

By 

Noonie Fortin (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion (Hardcover)

Susan Hagen and Mary Carouba did an excellent job of bringing to the readers of "Women At Ground Zero" the fact that women also served, were injured, or killed at the World Trade Center complex in New York City. They knew women had to be there but yet the media didn't cover them. So they went in search of them. People forget that women are also members of the fire, police and medical departments around the country. They didn't "want the women...to fade into the background of American History" nor "future generations of children...believing that only men are strong, brave and heroic."

They interviewed women from the NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD), and other women who were there that fateful day and many days thereafter. Each chapter tells another woman's story so be prepared to read 30 gut-wrenching stories. They also interviewed women who were at the scene in other capacities. AND something very few people know about-three women died that day while in the service of saving others: Captain Kathy Mazza (PAPD), Moira Smith (NYPD), and Yamel Merino (EMT). There are chapters about those women as well.

These women and so many others saw crushed vehicles, dead bodies and body parts, along with airplane parts. They witnessed more in a short period of time then most people do in a lifetime. Some of their stories are very graphic while others brushed over that part. They talked about what they experienced and saw, their injuries, feelings and more. Its no wonder they continue to have problems BUT more importantly-most of them have all returned to the jobs they held on 11 September 2001. They continue to serve their community. They are all heroines and definitely role models for young girls to follow in years to come.

This is a book well worth reading though if you are like me it may take you awhile to get through it. I admit I had a hard time reading each chapter. With my background I felt everything these women went through without actually having been there. Be prepared for your own emotions to run the gamut. Be prepared to relive that day and the days that followed over again through these women's eyes. But take the time to read "Women At Ground Zero".