Seattle author honors the many heroes of the aviation industry during 9/11


Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times book critic


Seattle author honors the many heroes of the aviation industry during 9/11

In "Reclaiming the Sky: 9/11 and the Untold Story of the Men and Women Who Kept America Flying" (Amacom, $21.95), Seattle author and aviation industry trainer Tom Murphy profiles the aviation professionals who, on Sept. 11, 2001, were "suddenly thrust into front-line positions in the battle to put our nation back on its feet."

Among those he writes about:

• Sue Baer, Newark International Airport's general manager, who "immediately and single-handedly" closed down Newark Airport after she saw the second plane go into the Twin Towers — and then persuaded the managers of La Guardia and JFK airports to do likewise.

• Airport agent Anne MacFarlane, who lost her daughter on United Airlines Flight 175, yet "still returned to Newark Airport that night to comfort parents who had also lost their children that same day."

All author profits from the book go to aviation-related charities.

See www.reclaimingthesky.com for more information.

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times book critic

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