102 Minutes

The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers

By: Jim Dwyer, Kevin Flynn

Narrated by: Ron McLarty

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, 14,000 people were inside the twin towers; reading e-mails, making trades, eating croissants at Windows on the World. Over the next 102 minutes, each would become part of a drama for the ages, one witnessed only by the people who lived it, until now.

New York Times reporters Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn rely on hundreds of interviews; thousands of pages of oral histories; and phone, e-mail, and emergency radio transcripts. They cross a bridge of voices to go inside the infernos, seeing cataclysm and heroism, one person at a time, to tell the affecting, authoritative saga of the men and women, the 12,000 who escaped and the 2,749 who perished, who made 102 minutes count as never before.

©2005 Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

• National Book Award Finalist, Nonfiction, 2005
• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Nonfiction (Abridged)

"A masterpiece of reporting." (The New York Times)
"The stories are intensely intimate, and they often stir gut-wrenching emotions....[Dwyer and Flynn's] reporting skills are exceptional." (Publishers Weekly)
"A fitting tribute to the people caught up in one of the great dramas of our time. And for people still haunted by the events of that day, reading 102 Minutes provides a cathartic release." (The New York Times Book Review)
"New York Times reporters Dwyer and Flynn have compiled an unbearably painful but indispensable account of what transpired inside the twin towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001." (Booklist)

Harrowing and Edifying

102 Minutes is breathtakingly painful to hear, but gives monumental insight into the tragedy of 9/11. As harrowing as it is to learn the stories of the individuals involved, even moreso is the painful realization that many of the losses did not have to happen but for the failure of communication involving the rescue entities. That ignorance and the outdated and shoddy planning that built the trade center are the heartbreaking facts that these reporters deal with. Using prose you will never forget it, the authors tell the most important story of modern history.

Loved it!

Absolutely loved this listen; I wanted to finish in one sitting! Would highly recommend it!

Some rough patches

The only thing bad about this is there are staticky parts that skip throughout the book. Even after troubleshooting they were still there so I believe it’s from the actual recording. Otherwise it’s a great account of that day.

A must listen

Well documented and written.

9/11 turned our world upside down. This story takes us inside the World Trade Centers after the plane strikes the first tower and keeps us there until it's collapse.

There are lessons to be learned from what happened in those 102 minutes - lets hope someone who matters listens to them.

The most intense 102 minutes in history...

There were so many heroes on this day. There were of course the fireman, police, port authority workers that we all heard about, however there were so many everyday people that risked their lives to save those of others.

The insight into the minds of those trapped on the upper floors is gripping, scary, and so sad. How articulate and clear headed these people were to the end is unreal.

The detail with regard to how the buildings were built and the emergency evacuation plans in place will leave you with questions on whether or not more people could have lived through this.

The most devastating day in my life was so well articulated. It is not the everyday media reports we received while watching this unravel on tv. Any listener will be moved to gasps and tears as they relive the final 102 minutes of the existance of the WTC and so many lives. You many think you know everything about 9/11, but you don't until you listen to this book. The stories told will stay with me forever. Never forget.

Electric

A true cannot put down book. The moments of life and love that counter and reverse the terror of that day. Tips the scale back some.

Very nice book. brings back memories of the day

Sad day in our country. great read for you if you want to know more of that sad day.

Very good

I’m in tears!! The perseverance of the police and firefighters that day was stunning. Too bad communication was cut off in so many places.

WTC told in Walter Lord's style

Author's approach to the topic was outstanding. The program reminded me a lot of Walter Lord's "Night To Remember" about the sinking of the Titanic. Author puts you there in the minds of those who lived and died in the WTC on 9/11. Depressing yet at times inspiring. Definitely recommended.

Tragic shortcomings

Listening to the story of how First responders were woefully unprepared with proper communication equipment is both tragic and maddening. I truely hope huge improvements were made to keep these brave people safe.