The World Trade Center: A Tribute [Hardcover]

Bill Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

Towering over the skyline of the greatest city on earth, the World Trade Center stood as twin pillars of international commerce and prosperity. From investment bankers to portfolio traders, the leaders of the business world made deals that touched the lives of all the other nations and peoples of the world. The World Trade Center could never have been more than a dream without the vision and heroism of a brilliant corps of planners, engineers, and builders. They not only made buildings, but created an epicenter of growth and success for people all over the earth. Written by a leading expert on New York's history and landmarks, this book traces the efforts of mayors and other politicians over the years to pave the way for this supreme monument. The author deftly weaves together political, architectural, and financial history. With more than 120 magnificent color photos, The World Trade Center is a glorious tribute to the financial district and the Twin Towers. Although the buildings are no more, they will inspire future generations of Americans as the summit of architectural ambition and the zenith of human achievement. Bill Harris, the author of more than one hundred books, has an unparalleled knowledge of New York's history, architecture, and landmarks. A veteran journalist who worked for the New York Times for more than 20 years, he has written daily radio spots for that newspaper and New York Newsday, and has been an editor for leading news syndicates.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Bill Harris writes a compact, lively history of the World Trade Center, setting his story within the wider history of New York City, particularly the development of Manhattan skyscrapers. The "biography" of the Trade Center is brought up to September 11, and ample illustrations augment the text. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Bill Harris, a veteran journalist who worked at The New York Times for more than 20 years, is also the author of The White House.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Courage Books; 1st edition (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762413158
• ISBN-13: 978-0762413157
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Tribute So Far, November 24, 2001

By 

R. Riis "rriis" (NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The World Trade Center: A Tribute (Hardcover)

This is easily the best of the WTC tributes out so far since it covers (in words and pictures) not just recent events but the whole history of the WTC (and the adjacent plaza and buildings) from its planning before the 1964 World's Fair through its 7-year construction to the tragedy of 9/11. The pictures don't just capture the obvious Hudson River-view of the Twin Towers but the courtyards, the corridors, the shops, and the observation deck and visitor's center. There is coverage of the 1993 bombing, the 1974 "Human Fly" episode, the late-'70's tightrope walk between the Towers, and, of course, 1976's "King Kong" filming -- everything that made the WTC an essential part of the Big Apple. A nice tribute to a never-to-be-forgotten landmark.

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The World Trade Center Review, November 18, 2001

By 

Tracy Ryan (Louisville,KY (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World Trade Center: A Tribute (Hardcover)

When I first decided to read this book titled, "The World Trade Center: A Tribute by Bill Harris" I really did not know what it would focus on. I believe this whole incident was a great tragedy. I wanted to research exactly what The World Trade Centers stood for and how they were built. I believe this book did a wonderful job in explaining the area around The World Trade Centers in the lower Mathattan neighborhood. This book focused alot on the architecture and history of the two fabulous buildings. Since I do not live in New York City I did not know much about the building's stucture, now I do. I also think it is wonderful that the publisher added so many photographs of The World Trade Centers, it really added a nice touch to the overall book. I am really glad I chose to read this. I feel I have learned alot and I really enjoyed the book. I also think it is great that a portion of the proceeds are donated to the New York City Fireman's Education Fund. Now I know my money has gone to a good place.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent history and illustrations in a concise volume!, December 17, 2001

By 

David Kusumoto (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World Trade Center: A Tribute (Hardcover)

I've surveyed or browsed or reviewed about 20 items relating to the World Trade Center attacks and this is among the top three that I can recommend.

It's a "slim volume," to borrow a cliche that book collectors use, but what's inside is an excellent illustrated history of the Twin Towers, supplemented by wonderfully chosen photographs, all laid out in sequential order, leading up to that fateful day in September.

Most of the other books in this "category" are truly "tributes," filled with emotionally-laden text and images designed to pull the heart strings. This one, despite being called a "tribute," is in fact, a handy summation of history and pictures that places the Towers in their proper context. You're moved, but you're also getting terrific information about an "icon" that we didn't know was an "icon" until it was destroyed. It's the story about two buildings we took for granted -- criticizing and disliking them -- until they were taken from America forever. Now the ground beneath it is sacred.

I'm not knocking the other "tributes," but it seems that a lot of them contain too much or too little -- some have almost zero text, and those with pictures -- are just different views of the same thing.

There is a "straight-ahead" style to this book that betrays its title -- yes, it's a "tribute," but it doesn't feel like a "rush to market" item like the others that have been offered in the last month -- just in time, in kind of a dark way, for Hanukkah or Christmas.

The other books I can now recommend are: "One Nation," by the editors of Life Magazine -- and "September 11, 2001: A Record of Tragedy, Heroism and Hope," by the editors of New York Magazine. Buy these three books for your PERMANENT library and simply browse through the others at your local bookstore before you buy.