When U.S. airspace closed on September 11, 2001, thirty-eight international jetliners were diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland. This rerouting suddenly doubled the population of the small town, leaving 6,700 stranded passengers from diverse backgrounds without food or lodging. Jim DeFede documents the specific logistical responses of the residents, who converted schools and lodge halls into shelters. The narrative tracks individual interactions between local volunteers, like Mayor Claude Elliott and school bus drivers, and the frightened travelers as they shared meals, showers, and news updates over several days.
Readers interested in rural sociology or crisis management read this to observe how a small community scales its resources during a logistical emergency. The book appeals to those who want a factual record of civilian hospitality under extreme pressure. A reader walks away with a detailed understanding of the administrative and interpersonal efforts required to sustain thousands of displaced people in a remote location. It provides a historical account of how local labor unions, religious groups, and private citizens coordinated basic necessities when professional emergency systems were overextended.
Clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2002
- Language
- EN
