First published 2002
Rick Rescorla stands in the south tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, facing the greatest test of his career as Morgan Stanley's security chief. A veteran soldier turned corporate guardian, Rescorla must draw on decades of military experience to guide 2,700 employees to safety as disaster unfolds around them. The story follows his transformation from battlefield warrior to Wall Street protector, revealing how his past prepared him for this moment of crisis. Stewart chronicles Rescorla's methodical evacuation efforts, showing a man who understood that leadership means staying calm when others panic. As chaos erupts throughout the building, Rescorla's military training and unwavering sense of duty drive him to save as many lives as possible. The narrative captures both his tactical brilliance and personal courage, exploring what compels someone to risk everything for others. This is a story about heroism found not in grand gestures but in steady resolve and the quiet determination to do what must be done.
Genres: historical-fiction, business, action, biography-memoir, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: leadership, military-background, quiet-determination
Setting: Morgan Stanley, South Tower, World Trade Center
Period: September 11, 2001
336 pages · Audio Cassette · Simon & Schuster Audio