First published 2012
Michael Hingson sits in a meeting on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower when the first hijacked plane strikes on September 11, 2001. Born blind, he works as a district sales manager for a data protection company. Around him, glass shatters and debris falls as people scream in terror. His guide dog Roselle remains calm at his feet. Michael faces a choice between panic and trust. He decides to rely on Roselle's judgment as they begin their descent through the chaos. The book follows their partnership during the evacuation and explores how their bond sustained them through the crisis. Hingson examines how devastating loss can create opportunities for growth and transformation. He shows how the trust between human and animal can build unshakeable faith in other areas of life. The narrative demonstrates the therapeutic value of sharing personal trauma and recovery. This New York Times bestseller reveals how ordinary relationships can provide extraordinary strength when disaster strikes.
Genres: american, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, disability
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
Setting: Ground Zero, World Trade Center
Period: September 11, 2001
231 pages · Hardcover · Thomas Nelson Publishers
Content warnings: medical-trauma