Twenty-five years have passed since September 11, 2001, but the stories of that day remain as important as ever. As a generation grows up with no memory of 9/11—and firsthand memories fade—books offer a way to preserve the voices, experiences and lessons of those who lived through it. In a community like Rockaway, where the losses were deeply personal, reading these stories is more than revisiting history. Here are several books by locals and others that help tell Rockaway’s 9/11 story, the story of some first responders, the events that followed, and fictional accounts of a post 9/11 Rockaway.
Braving the Waves: Rockaway Rises, and Rises Again
Perhaps the most poignant Rockaway 9/11 book was released a year after September 11, 2001, and the crash of Flight 587. Kevin Boyle, then editor of The Wave and later founding publisher of The Rockaway Times, released “Braving the Waves: Rockaway Rises, and Rises Again” in 2002. Focusing on the personal stories of several Rockaway locals, mostly firefighters, the book chronicles a community reeling from 9/11 and, just two months later, the crash of Flight 587 in Belle Harbor, and how its neighbors rose above both. Through the experiences of those impacted by both tragedies, the story is Rockaway at its core. Kindle editions and used hardcover copies can be found on Amazon and eBay.
“The Letter”
In 2011, Belle Harbor native V. Thomas Hoban released “The Letter,” his memoir about the events of 9/11 and how they shaped his life. Hoban was near the World Trade Center when he saw the second plane hit the South Tower. The events of that day, followed by the crash of Flight 587 two months later, profoundly influenced how Hoban reflected on his life and chose to live it afterward. Confronted with the possibility of his own death, Hoban decided to write a letter to his wife and children that a trusted friend could give them if he died before being able to say goodbye. The book carries a message about embracing life, one another and, especially, family. It is available on Amazon.
“The Patriots of 9/11: Answering the Call to Courage”
Written by local resident and retired FDNY Assistant Chief Howard Hill, “The Patriots of 9/11: Answering the Call to Courage,” isn’t necessarily a story about Rockaway, but rather the real-life accounts of 26 people who answered the call on 9/11. The book primarily shares the experiences of FDNY members, including chiefs, firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers and support personnel. They recount responding to the attacks, surviving the collapse of the World Trade Center, searching the debris at Ground Zero and navigating the tremendous loss of fellow firefighters. Published around the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the book can be found on Amazon.
“After the Fall-9/11/11: A Decade @ War”
Taking a different approach, “After the Fall-9/11/11: A Decade @ War,” published in 2011, is a collection of political cartoons by local artist and longtime editorial cartoonist for The Wave, Bob Sarnoff. Through his cartoons, Sarnoff tackles terrorism, war, fear, security alerts and the political climate of the post-9/11 era as they unfolded during the decade following September 11, 2001. Sarnoff died in May. Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
“Rockaway Blue”
While not a local, Black 47’s Larry Kirwan is a longtime friend of Rockaway who has performed in the community many times. In 2021, he published the novel “Rockaway Blue,” drawing inspiration from the peninsula to tell the story of a fictional Irish American family navigating the aftermath of a loved one’s death on 9/11—and the mystery surrounding it. The novel explores grief, family, secrets and the lasting effects of 9/11 on a community forever changed by that day. “Rockaway Blue” is available on Amazon.
