Journal Entry 1 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 10, 2003

I wanted to buy a book that I could release on September 11th, the two-year anniversary of that terrible day. This will be released at a local fire station as a mark of respect to all those who lost their lives, and to all those firefighters who continue to risk their lives to save others'.

The book looks interesting and seems to have had good reviews. I bought myself an additional copy to read too. I hope it is an appropriate book for the occasion. 

Journal Entry 2 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 11, 2003

I ended up abandoning my plans to release this at a fire station. My first choice of station, a usually-quiet volunteer station, was uncharacteristically busy today, and as I am a surreptitious releaser by nature I crossed that one off and went for Plan B, but a huge traffic jam faced me on the way and I decided that it obviously wasn't meant to be.

I came home just before sunset this evening, having decided to annouce it as a bookray rather than releasing it in the wild. But my husband, who is away from home with his work at the moment, called as soon as I got in, and after that the children became fretful and I decided to put all plans on hold while I put them to bed.

So now, somewhat later than sunset, I am announcing an international bookray for this book.

From the back:
Within days after September 11, 2001, William Langewiesche had secured unique, unrestricted, around-the-clock access to the World Trade Center site. American Ground is a tour of this intense, ephemeral world and those who improvised the recovery effort day by day, and in the process reinvented themselves, discovering unknown strengths and weaknesses. In all of its aspects - emotionalism, impulsiveness, opportunism, territoriality, bravery, resourcefulness, and fundamental, cacophonous democracy - Langewiesche reveals the unbuilding to be uniquely American and oddly inspiring, an exercise in resilience and ingenuity in the face of disaster.

I haven't read this yet, but bought two copies, so when I have read my personal copy I intend to make a journal entry here too.

Bookray participants (in current order - but check for changes which I might have to make):

1. cestmoi (Canada)
2. DraigAthar (US - CT)
3. Jas330 (US - WA)
4. klemz (US - UT)
5. needlewench (US - RI) *
6. GirlFromIpanema (Germany) *
7. Ench (Germany) * - no reply, so skipped
8. dangerouswoman3 (Portugal) *
9. awaywithfairies (Australia) * - skipped
10. MaryZee (US - MD)
11. caligula03 (US - CA) *
12. Tuz (Brazil) * - no reply, so skipped
13. sp4home (US - IA) *US preferred though
14. JesseBC (US - IL) - no reply so skipped

* = international mailing OK
 

Journal Entry 3 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, September 15, 2003

Mailed to cestmoi in Canada today. 

Journal Entry 4 by cestmoi from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Friday, September 19, 2003

Just received. I read the first page and I am hooked. The writing is very evocative and creates strong images. I'm just finishing up another bookring book then this one is next! Thanks for sharing kernow8. 

Journal Entry 5 by cestmoi from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Just wanted to update "the ring"...started reading this tonight and will journal again with my thoughts when I'm finished. I should have it moving again by the end of this week. 

Journal Entry 6 by cestmoi from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, September 24, 2003

Very interesting account of what happened at the world trade center site during the unbuilding process. It focuses very much on "actions" and less on emotions and feelings.

I did find it to be biased against firemen even though, in the afterword, the author denies that was his intent. He says he was citing fact, and some facts just showed the firemen in a bad light. I find that he failed to report, or find, facts that showed construction men or policemen in bad light also...I find it a little hard to believe that they were not equally as guilty. I got the impression that the author was almost jealous of the media attention that the fire department got and was trying to detract from it by showing the "real story", warts and all..which I could accept if he had done the same thing with all the factions involved.

That aside, I found it a very clear, detailed account of the unbuilding process. All the technical and safety challenges, all the people that worked selflessly or selfishly, all the people that never tired - and all the people who's lives are forever changed because they were part of the unbuilding.

As for the appropriateness that Kernow8 mentioned about releasing it at a fire station, as was her original release notes - I'm thinking the firemen would be wondering why you would release this particular book about the tragedy (which seems to make light of their involvement and loss in the unbuilding process).

Thanks for sharing this Kernow8, it certainly opened my eyes about alot of events that occurred post 9/11 at the site, or at least gave me something to think about.

Mailed to DraigAthar - September 24, 2003 

Journal Entry 7 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 24, 2003

Posting out of order, just to thank cestmoi for the thoughtful review. I had a feeling on 11th Sept 2003, the day I was going to release it in a fire station, that events were conspiring to prevent me from doing so - now I am thankful and relieved that I didn't do a wild release on that day and in that location.

I'm glad to see the bookring has started off well. Thanks cestmoi! 

Journal Entry 8 by DraigAthar from Plainfield, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, October 08, 2003

Just received this in the mail today, thanks! I will read it soon and get it back out on its journey. Reading cestmoi's review ... I may have a hard time reading this book and staying unbiased. I lived in NY on 9-11-01. My next door neighbor was one of the firemen killed at the WTC so I tend to be a little defensive of them. But I hate to judge a book before I've even read it, so I'll do my best to keep an open mind. :) 

Journal Entry 9 by DraigAthar from Plainfield, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, October 12, 2003

I just finished this book tonight. I REALLY enjoyed reading it, if enjoy is a word that could possibly used in reference to a book about a disaster. Perhaps appreciate is a better way of putting it - I really appreciated the way this book described the events of the WTC disaster and the aftermath. I was worried at first that I would find it offensive, but I didn't, not at all. I think that the author tried very hard to maintain his detachment when telling the story, and I was very glad to read such a candid portrayal of events. This book was the complete opposite of the approach most of the media took in the weeks and months following 9-11. It wasn't maudlin. It wasn't emotional. It left it up to the reader to feel emotions when and where s/he felt it appropriate and necessary - I certainly was filled with emotion at various times while reading this, but never because it was imposed upon me.

Thank you very much, Kernow8, for starting this bookring. I doubt I would have thought to read this book otherwise. I hope others in the ring get as much out of it as I did.

I will send it on to the next person soon! 

Journal Entry 10 by DraigAthar from Plainfield, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, October 16, 2003

Shipped this out to Jas330 today! 

Journal Entry 11 by DraigAthar at USPS in Bookring, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, October 20, 2003

Released on Monday, October 20, 2003 at USPS in Bookring, postal release USA.

Oops I think I actually forgot to release this one so it shows up in the wild. Duh. :) 

Journal Entry 12 by Jas330 from Lakewood, Washington USA on Wednesday, October 22, 2003

I got this in the mail today and will get to it as soon as I can. I have 4 bookring books ahead of it. But I'll try to get there soon.
Sorry in advance about the delay.  

Journal Entry 13 by Jas330 from Lakewood, Washington USA on Saturday, November 29, 2003

I tired to get into this book -- but I guess I'm just not in the mood for reading it right now. And if I was I think it would take me a while to read and I don't want to hold it up any longer than I already have. I will be passing on to klemz sometime next week.

Sorry about the delay.  

Journal Entry 14 by klemz from West Valley City, Utah USA on Monday, December 15, 2003

Arrived today! 

Journal Entry 15 by klemz from West Valley City, Utah USA on Monday, December 29, 2003

I really enjoyed this book! the author was just detached enough to let you decide for yourself how you felt about what was happening...I can see how some might feel the firefighters were shown in a bad light but I didn't feel that way at all...To me the book made them seem even more human in a good way that I appreciate a lot more than the "heroic" light that has been shone upon them lately...In fact the book isn't about the firefighters but the deconstruction of a building with a lot of emotional ties to it...Shining a new different light on the uniformed people involved was a bonus and done only because the dynamics of those relationships and the emotions involved directly affected the effort to take care of the WTC ruins...
In my opinion it was very well done!
I will be contacting the next person in line and will put this in the mail near the 10th of January provided I have the address :-) 

Journal Entry 16 by klemz at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Released on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray Controlled Releases.

Mailed today to needlewench in RI...Sent it first class, for a change it was cheaper! 

Journal Entry 17 by needlewench from Harmony, Rhode Island USA on Thursday, January 22, 2004

arrived in the mail today which is actually a bit amazing as the envelope was completely unsealed and opened!

i'm really looking forward to reading this book, especially as last night i once again caught American Experience's The Center of the World on PBS. I hadn't seen it since it's first airing in early 2002, and found it very moving and a bit difficult to watch. so now the history of the rise and the fall of the buildings and the world they contained back fresh in my mind, i look forward to reading the details of the deconstruction which followed.  

Journal Entry 18 by needlewench from Harmony, Rhode Island USA on Sunday, February 29, 2004

I finished this book up about a week ago, and have been mulling it over, occasionally picking it back up to reread certain sections. I have to see of all the media bits and pieces I’ve come across since 9/11, this is one of the most frank and revealing. And the most realistic: it happened, now how do we pick up the pieces?

If you start thinking about the size of the task, it is mind boggling. How organization seem to spontaneously form in the hours after, and leaders emerge is just stunning. And yet, I don’t think I had heard any of these names mentioned in the book mentioned anywhere else. To have the chance to read about their experience from the event itself, to the closing of the clean-up effort is really amazing.

Despite the fact that many felt firefighters were unfairly slighted in this work,, I don’t agree. The amazing detachment with which this book is narrated really brings across the point of, “No one is pointing fingers, this is simply what happened.” And certainly others are put in a very harsh light, from those making money of the clean up, to even picking apart the manners and personalities of individuals at the head of the clean up effort.

I still cannot get over how the author, with being on the pile every day was able to write this book in such a removed sense of narrative. For me, this is the real treasure of the book. You are picking apart the most emotional moment in recent history with absolutely no emotion at all. As a reader, you really have a chance to understand thing, to try and grasp the enormity of the situation, and find your own emotion in the stories. Kudos to William Langewiesche for mastering his own emotions to be able to bring this unique work to page.


I did email Ench last weekend to see if they were ready for the book, but have not heard back. I did hear from GirlFromIpanema, so I will be mailing it off to her tomorrow!
 

Journal Entry 19 by needlewench at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, February 29, 2004

Release planned for Monday, March 01, 2004 at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray Controlled Releases.

Mailing out to GirlFromIpanema 

Journal Entry 20 by FullCircle from Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein Germany on Monday, April 05, 2004

The book arrived while I was away, in Finland, and I picked it up today from my in-box. Looking forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 21 by FullCircle from Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein Germany on Sunday, April 25, 2004

Brilliant work! I enjoyed his description of the Unbuilding immensely (if I may say so on this serious subject). The subject would have allowed all sorts of hero-worshipping and patriotic exhibitions, as well as getting into politics. None of these is found in the book. As someone from Europe, I have heard about the unbuilding only rarely through the newspapers. But I knew it was a huge task, with the million ton of debris that had to be moved. Langewiesche is also not scared of telling not-so-nice stories, like that of the people that looted computers from the offices in the neighbourhood or the infamous jeans-story. I think that makes it even more real - because, even if they won't tell you freely: There are always people that will take advantage of stuff lying about after desasters/floods/whatever (and in the case of WTC, for nine months)...- as sad as it is...

I will write to Ench, and see whether she will reply, otherwise I will contact dangerouswoman3. 

Journal Entry 22 by Dangerouswoman from Porto - City, Porto Portugal on Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Arrived yesterday by mail post.Thank you Girlfromipanema. 

Journal Entry 23 by Dangerouswoman from Porto - City, Porto Portugal on Wednesday, August 25, 2004

This book relate to us the story of the destruction of the world trade center(Twintowers), the discovery of the bodies and after that.
This is a true story of terrorism against America.
All of this years that America became an empire they haven´t any problem whit this type of conflits.
America always helps others countrys whit wars.
I think the all reason that origin this fatal accident was the war of America Against Kuwait.This war create enimies against them.
At this time Bush create a a war whit Iraque whitout any credible reason.He only atack Iraque because of the fuil oil and the opportunity to be realeted.
This war was a mistake that could last ten years.
Iraque war was been compared whit Vietnam war, where many innocent´s human beens died whitout any reason.This war begins only because of the ambition of powerful man´s.
I like this book but i think he have some parts very boring.The writer repeats many times the same episod. 

Journal Entry 24 by Dangerouswoman from Porto - City, Porto Portugal on Wednesday, August 25, 2004

This book relate to us the story of the destruction of the world trade center(Twintowers), the discovery of the bodies and after that.
This is a true story of terrorism against America.
All of this years that America became an empire they haven´t any problem whit this type of conflits.
America always helps others countrys whit wars.
I think the all reason that origin this fatal accident was the war of America Against Kuwait.This war create enimies against them.
At this time Bush create a a war whit Iraque whitout any credible reason.He only atack Iraque because of the fuil oil and the opportunity to be realeted.
This war was a mistake that could last ten years.
Iraque war was been compared whit Vietnam war, where many innocent´s human beens died whitout any reason.This war begins only because of the ambition of powerful man´s.
I like this book but i think he have some parts very boring.The writer repeats many times the same episod. 

Journal Entry 25 by Dangerouswoman at on Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Released on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at correio in Porto, Envio Postal/Postal release Portugal.

It will be for the next person on the list by Postal release. 

Journal Entry 26 by MaryZee from Taneytown, Maryland USA on Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Just received in the mail today. Will start this as soon as I finish my current read.

10/7 update - I'm ready to start on this this evening. And I've got Caligula03's address, so this will be mailed on as soon as I finish. 

Journal Entry 27 by MaryZee from Taneytown, Maryland USA on Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Compelling story, and a fascinating telling of the aftermath of the tragedy on 9/11.

This was an interesting complement to the only other book I've read on the events at the World Trade Center Report from Ground Zero

I enjoyed Report from Ground Zero so much, I released a 2nd copy at a very special location, Report From Ground Zero - 2nd copy

Sending off today to Caligula03.

 

Journal Entry 28 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Thursday, October 21, 2004

The book has arrived. I will read it as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 29 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Saturday, January 08, 2005

Overall it's well written and paints quite a picture of the engineering behind the former World Trade Center and the engineering that went into unbuilding the remains of the WTC pile. There were some redundancies in the story telling that would have made sense when these three "chapters" were printed as separate articles. For publication in book form, I think those redundancies could have been edited out for a better flowing narrative. While reading I learned numerous things about skyscraper construction and airplanes so it was definitely worth the read. The author also thankfully avoids pointing fingers and making broad assumptions based on the actions of a few people. In that regard I think it will hold up well as a history text. 

Journal Entry 30 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, January 18, 2005

I mistakenly thought I had been contacted by Tuz with an address. I have not. Nor have I been able to contact Tuz. So the book is still with me. I am contacting the next person in the list for an address. Sorry about the delay and/or confusion. 

Journal Entry 31 by caligula03 at on Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (1/22/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing to sp4home. 

Journal Entry 32 by sp4home from Valley Center, Kansas USA on Thursday, January 27, 2005

This book arrived today. I have one book to read first, then this one. I'll post more after I read the book. sp 

Journal Entry 33 by sp4home from Valley Center, Kansas USA on Tuesday, February 01, 2005

I thought that this was a very interesting look at the WTC deconstruction, from an insiders view. I thought that the author did a good job at putting distance between himself and the story. I would recommend this book. I did not think that the author was negatively targeting firefighters.

The bookray ended, and the host told me I could release this book. I think I will save it for my bookbox. 

Journal Entry 34 by sp4home at in the mail in Bookbox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 06, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (5/6/2005 UTC) at in the mail in Bookbox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This book is being released in the "Books I Have Actually Read and Liked" bookbox. 

Journal Entry 35 by Tribefan from Lakemore, Ohio USA on Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Removed from sp4home's Books I've read AND liked bookbox! 

Journal Entry 36 by Tribefan from Lakemore, Ohio USA on Thursday, July 14, 2005

I am very grateful to have had the chance to read this book! It gave me some insights I did not have before. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 37 by Tribefan at mail in mail, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 14, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (7/14/2005 UTC) at mail in mail, A Book Relay -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

A Book Relay sent to cosmicflurk in San Diego, CA. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 38 by cosmicflurk from San Diego, California USA on Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Got this in the mail today as part of the "Journal Entry Heaven" relay.
I read some of it while waiting for a class to start. It looks super interesting. 

Journal Entry 39 by cosmicflurk from San Diego, California USA on Saturday, March 18, 2006

This was very interesting indeed. I have always wondered whatever happened to all the debris, and now I know that, except for structural steel, it is spread across the retired Staten Island landfill. The steel was sold and shipped overseas for recycling. Most of my other observations about this book have already been made by previous readers. If there was one thing I would change about the book, I would have like to have had more factual descriptions such as the underground crawl and the reconstruction of how the structures failed, perhaps a bit more of how the buildings were originally built. After all I chose this book from bookrelay.com based on the "unbuilding" in the title and had hoped it would focus a bit more on engineering rather than personality profiles of various players on the stage of the Pile. However it was still a very good, informative read.

I expect that I will release this either at the OBCZ at Panera Bakery in Vista, or via paperbackswap.com. 

Journal Entry 40 by cosmicflurk at Panera Bread, 401 Vista Village Dr. (OBCZ) in Vista, California USA on Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (3/27/2006 UTC) at Panera Bread, 401 Vista Village Dr. (OBCZ) in Vista, California USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

On the OBCZ shelf.