For many people, getting through the day alone will be enough. They don’t want to relive 9/11, and understandably stay away from reminders, dramatizations, and interpretations that saturate the airwaves, bookshelves and Internet. But for others, the opportunity to read, research and remember is another way to explore what happened on that day and put into perspective what has unfolded over the last decade.
For those who don’t know where to start exploring, here is our humble list.
Documentary: 9/11
This compelling documentary, by Jules and Gedeon Naudet, started as a story about a rookie firefighter. When they were rolling their cameras on September 11, they would capture one of the only shots of the first plane hitting the North Tower. Suddenly, the film turned into a real-time experience of firefighters being dispatched to the towers to help. There is no way to really convey everything they capture in this paragraph – but this is essential viewing for anyone who is interested in seeing what it was like at the WTC that day. Amazon
Journalism: New York Magazine
There are many news articles one can find on the Internet, but right now, New York Magazine has one of the most well organized and accessible compendiums available. They have organized their ‘Encyclopedia’ by the most broad yet significant topics, and offer readers a way to connect the dots on their own and conduct more specific research elsewhere. Runner-ups (and no less vital sources) include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Village Voice, which all have articles, photographs and opinions that represent a local perspective.New York Magazine
Recreation: United 93
Some people may choose to see Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center for its unapologetic sentimentality, but Paul Greengrass’ United 93 is equally gripping. Most people tend to focus on what happened at the towers first, and then perhaps what happened at the Pentagon, and finally the fourth plane that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The film dramatically maps out how the morning transpired for the flight control operators and military that were dealing with the sky, and the passengers who attempted to thwart the hijackers in the one plane that ultimately did not reach its intended target. United 93
Book: Tower Stories: An Oral History of 9/11
Sometimes you can only get a clear picture of an event when you read different accounts from a variety of witnesses. While there are many books out there that detail the day, it’s hard to not read many of them without thinking there is some hidden agenda or inaccuracies that arise from only having access to a single perspective. This book has interviewed numerous people who experienced the horror of that day – from first responders to survivors to reporters and children – and may keep you on the edge of your seat like no other September 11 book out there can. Amazon
Conspiracy: Loose Change
We can’t say that we were entirely convinced by this film, but this painstakingly crafted ‘Truther’ documentary is a must-see for those who have that itch that says, ‘There was more to that day’. Taking into consideration some alternate theories based on the mass of physical, oral and video evidence that has been accumulated since 9/11, we are introduced to the idea that there is no way that this small group of terrorists could have pulled this off alone. We’ll leave it up to you to decide what you believe, of course. Loose Change
Anything Goes: YouTube
In 2001, there was no Facebook, no camera phones, and not even SMS or wireless Internet. Nearly everything we saw, heard, and understood was delivered by TV stations and anyone who had a video camera handy. Many of what was broadcast on September 11 has been uploaded to YouTube since 2005, and reposted by various people.
If you want to watch (or rediscover) news footage, watch first-hand accounts, or even listen to the Howard Stern Show that day, you can easily begin your search on the site. It may be the least organized way to learn about the day, but the possibilities are endless. YouTube
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