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To remember and to learn about this historic date, these best books on 9/11 are the best on the topic (both fiction and non-fiction), and they are all breathtaking “must-read” books. (I kept this list small to include only the best to commemorate one of the most pivotal dates in American history.)

I highly recommend all of them for those who want to read the best books on 9/11.

twin tower lights in new york city.

Details on the Best Books on 9/11

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede

Best for those looking for a Canadian perspective on 9/11

The Day the World Came to Town is the book about Gander on 9/11 that inspired the Broadway musical Come from Away.

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 in Gander International Airport in Canada. This small town on Newfoundland Island instantly doubled from 10,300 people to nearly 17,000 people, and the Canadian citizens welcomed the stranded passengers with friendship and goodwill in this unprecedented scenario.

Over the course of days, the passengers were stranded, many of the passengers developed friendships with the Gander residents and later paid them back with scholarships and donations.

The Day the World Came to Town is a unique book about 9/11 (non-fiction) from different perspectives than usual, 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 on 9/11 and showed even times when it was difficult for the persons involved to “do the right thing” under so much stress. Read The Day the World Came to Town if you are a fan of Come from Away, or if you are looking for something uplifting and/or if you seek very different perspectives of those in the United States at the time.


Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Best for those looking for an emotional, fictional account of 9/11

In New York Times bestselling 9/11 fiction book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, 9-year-old Oskar is a precocious boy who idolizes Stephen Hawking and excels at tambourine playing. He’s also grieving his father’s death in the World Trade Center attacks. He searches New York City for the lock that fits a mysterious key his father left behind and, in doing so, discovers much more than he could have imagined.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a masterful 9/11 novel deserving of a read. You can also watch the highly-rated, and beautifully captured, movie adaptation.


The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright

Best for those looking to learn the backstory of 9/11

The Looming Tower is the Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award Finalist that offers a detailed, historical account of 9/11 and the events leading up to it.

Spanning five decades, The Looming Tower 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, as he uncovers the emerging danger from al-Qaeda in the 1990s and struggles both physically and in dealing with the government to track this threat. It’s the plot of the absolutely gripping Hulu television series of the same name.


The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 by Garrett M. Graff

Best for those looking for a minute-by-minute account of 9/11 from numerous perspectives

New York Times bestseller The Only Plane in the Sky was one of the most breathtaking books I have ever read, so it’s definitely also one of the best books about 9/11 (non-fiction). It’s the type of 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.

The award-winning audio version of The Only Plane in the Sky is told by an entire cast of narrators, and it’s one of my favorite audiobooks of all time (and I listen to books on a daily basis). It includes many real audio clips from 9/11, so at times it feels more like a documentary or a podcast.

It’s fascinating. It’s emotional. It’s raw. And it’s real. It’s a must-read.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the book about the lead up to 9 11?

The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright is the Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award Finalist that details the events leading up to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It explains the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, the rise of al-Qaeda, and the intelligence failures that culminated in the terrorist attacks.

What is the book about the events of 9 11?

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 by Garrett M. Graff is 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.

Conclusion

The best books on 9/11 are both informative and important. Spanning fiction and non fiction, as well as 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.

Share your favorite 9/11 books or any remaining questions you may have in the comments below.

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4 Comments

  1. 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