American Dunkirk

The Waterborne Evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11

By: James M Kendra, Tricia Wachtendorf

Narrated by: Peter Lerman

When the terrorist attacks struck New York City on September 11, 2001, boat operators and waterfront workers quickly realized that they had the skills, the equipment, and the opportunity to take definite, immediate action in responding to the most significant destructive event in the United States in decades. For many of them, they were “doing what needed to be done”.

American Dunkirk shows how people, many of whom were volunteers, mobilized rescue efforts in various improvised and spontaneous ways on that fateful date. Disaster experts James Kendra and Tricia Wachtendorf examine the efforts through fieldwork and interviews with many of the participants to understand the evacuation and its larger implications for the entire practice of disaster management.

The authors ultimately explore how people - as individuals, groups, and formal organizations - pull together to respond to and recover from startling, destructive events. American Dunkirk asks, What can these people and lessons teach us about not only surviving but thriving in the face of calamity?

”A compelling read. It helps to explain the incredible events of the 9/11 boatlift, while also providing insight into approaches to future disaster management." (Captain)

“Provides an illuminating look into how people collectively define and respond to a traumatic event." (Social Forces)

©2016 Temple University-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

American Dunkirk

This is an interesting telling of the water evacuations done during the 9/11 attacks.A lot of good people helped that day in whatever capacity they could.I founc Peter Lemans narration a bit dry.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

WOW. GREAT STORY, REALLY BRINGS IT ALL BACK....

I really found this book gripping and full of information on how things went down. I was living in Philadelphia at that time, and was downtown when all that went down. We only got a very small dose of the panic that everyone in NY felt, but it shook me. I have so much respect and love for every single person that risked their lives to help others. Such a horrible act brought about so much love and unity, especially in a time of tragedy. I enjoyed the writing and the narration, and I think it's definitely worth a read. It's an amazing story that most of us will never, ever forget. I applaud the author and narrator! :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great Read

American Dunkirk: The Waterborne Evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11 by James M. Kendra and Tricia Wachtendorf was a good read. This book followed the evacuation efforts by water on September 11th. This was a great read about the efforts of a city banded together.

Good resource for research and educators

I expected this audiobook to deliver an emotional storytelling experience by recounting the personal experiences of individuals involved in 9/11. Instead, it relays factual research the authors gathered over the course of several years, with anecdotal, brief firsthand stories. As I am not a researcher or educator, this dry fact-based report, for there is no way to frame it as storytelling, was disappointing in that it asked and explored many interesting aspects and elements related to the events of 9/11, but there was zero emotional impact.

The firsthand encounters were interspersed with the authors' own experiences and observations which diluted and distanced the human experience of both victims and rescuers.

For individuals fascinated by emergency situation logistics, this book is 5 stars. For average listeners expecting a storytelling experience, I would rate this book a 3. However, enormous research and effort has gone into assembling this book which deals with disturbing subject matter. For that, extra points to the authors.

My strongest recommendation is that the book description needs to be rewritten to clarify the contents and format of this book.

The narrator was professional and polished, but his delivery was objective and lacked emotional impact.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

A story that needs to be told.

New York City is a great area because of its people.The brave Firemen and Police who ran into the Twin Towers only
thinking about saving lives not their own safety.

We most never forget the contribution of those brave Men and Women.They are an inspiration to all of us.

This book gives a glimpse of the heros who helped save lives on the Maritime vehicles in lower Manhatten.

I know it is easy to make judgements regarding the style and substance of the entire Book but the important issue is
the story most be told and is being told by this wonderful Book.

The Narrator did a good job in telling the story.


This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.