This book is a masterpiece, pure and simple. It tells the story of 9/11 entirely through interview and telephone transcripts and recordings and speeches by various politicians. The audiobook has a 45-person cast; it’s incredible. The transcripts for this book come from interviews with first responders to 9/11, politicians, local area residents, and loved ones of those lost on the planes. There is even a chapter comprised of interviews with children, who share their memories from 9/11.

I was in 2nd grade on 9/11, and I honestly don’t remember much about that day. And I’ll admit, I didn’t have a good understanding of what actually happened, until I was much, much older. I didn’t even fully understand some of the events that happened in Arlington until I moved to the DC area and started meeting/working with people who were here on that day.

If you can, listen to the audiobook. It is so powerful and heart-breaking, but I also learned so much.

CW: 9/11, discussions of death, terrorism, fear and panic, loss of loved ones, discussions of war