The best 9/11 books for adults will take your breath away. These fiction and nonfiction books are “must-reads.” Here, you’ll find only the most impactful books that pay tribute to one of the most pivotal dates in American history. Pick your next important read below.
Quick List of the Best 9/11 Books for Adults
Fiction
Non Fiction
- The Day the World Came to Town
- The Looming Tower
- The Only Plane in the Sky (top pick; excellent on audio)
- Ordinary Heroes
Why You’ll Love These Books About September 11, 2001
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
The Day the World Came to Town is a true story. On September 11, 2001, after the terrorist attacks and after the U.S. airspace closed, 38 planes bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada. This small town on Newfoundland Island instantly doubled from 10,300 people to nearly 17,000 people. The Canadian citizens welcomed the stranded passengers with friendship and goodwill in this unprecedented scenario.
The passengers were stranded for days, but many developed friendships with the Gander residents and later paid them back with scholarships and donations.
The Day the World Came to Town offers a unique perspective, focusing on how people came together even outside the central locations of the terrorist attacks.
I liked that it was a “real” book about Gander that showed the heartwarming account of what happened and how difficult it sometimes was for the persons involved to “do the right thing” under so much stress.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is fictional literature that follows a young boy, Oskar, who discovers a key left by his father, a 9/11 victim.
Oskar embarks on a journey across New York City to find the lock it opens, uncovering stories of loss and healing.
Read this one for a literary take on the pivotal day.
The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright
The Looming Tower offers a detailed historical account of 9/11 and the events leading up to it. Spanning five decades, it explains the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, the rise of al-Qaeda, and the intelligence failures that culminated in the terrorist attacks.
Of interest is the storyline of FBI counterterrorism chief John O’Neill. He uncovers the emerging danger from al-Qaeda in the 1990s and struggles to work with the government to track this threat.
Read this one to learn more about how and why 9/11 occurred.
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 by Garrett M. Graff
The Only Plane in the Sky is the best book about 9/11. One of the best books of the 21st century and a book everyone should read, it’s a minute-by-minute breakdown of the day of 9/11 told completely through the dialogue of five hundred people, from children in distant parts of the United States to the acting President of the United States, George W. Bush. It’s got to be the most thoroughly researched book I have ever read.
It’s fascinating. It’s emotional. It’s raw. And it’s real. This is one absolutely unputdownable book.
Reading Tip: The award-winning audio version is told by a massive cast of narrators, making it one of the best audiobooks of all time. It includes many real audio clips from 9/11, so it sometimes feels more like a documentary or a podcast.
Ordinary Heroes by Joseph Pfeifer
Ordinary Heroes chronicles the story of 9/11 emergency responders and survivors through the eyes of firefighting Chief Joseph Pfiefer. It recounts both the hardships of the day itself and the grief and trauma that followed for survivors.
Pfeifer led a team downtown investigating a gas odor when he unexpectedly watched a plane crash into the World Trade Center. From there, he became a pivotal first responder. He recounts everything that happened at Ground Zero that day and afterward. His story showcases the courage of these everyday heroes, including his brother, whom he sent inside, never to return.
The reader walks with him through the grief that followed and gains the perspective of those who should never be forgotten. It’s an intimate portrait of resilience after the darkest of days.
Recap
The best 9/11 books are the most informative and important book recommendations. Spanning fiction and nonfiction and the times before, during, and after September 11, 2001, they share detailed narratives and personal accounts worth reading.
TOP PICK
To recap and help you decide which one to read, my top pick is The Only Plane in the Sky, a minute-by-minute account of the day told completely through the dialogue of five hundred people. The award-winning audio version is especially remarkable.
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
The fall and rise by Mitchell Zuckoff is excellent I would highly recommend!
Thank you for this recommendation! I need to add it to my list.
I read The Only Plane in the Sky and The Day the World Came to Town. Both were excellent. I rated them both 5 stars.
Agree! Hope you get to see the play someday too. I watched it on TV but I can’t remember where!
Another great book is called Love You, Mean It. Its by 4 widows that didn’t know each other before that day really and are now lifelong friends.
Thank you so much! I hadn’t heard of that one before.
Great list!
I added The looming Tower to my watch list.
I accept the challenge and will listen to The only plane in the sky.
I have listened to The Day the world came to town, great book
I think you will appreciate both Looming Tower and Only Plane if you liked The Day the World Came to Town.
This is an excellent list!
Thank you! They are all fantastic and follow a unique timeline from before to after 9/11.