Michael Hingson

Susy Flory

Recounts the events of September 11, 2001 as a blind man, trusting in his guide dog, escapes from the World Trade Center's north tower.

The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero

Thunder Dog

Jeni Enjaian

A quick read that resulted in yet another three star review.
Like many of the other reviews have mentioned, I expected more of the book to be dedicated to the dog, Roselle. After all, the title is "thunder dog". Upon finishing the book and looking at the title again, I had no idea where the "thunder" of "thunder dog" came from. Perhaps this is an allusion to the fact that dogs are more sensitive to changes in weather patterns as discussed about in the beginning of the book. (Roselle becomes scared because of a thunderstorm early on the morning of September 11th.)
Issues with the title aside, I did enjoy the content, most of which has to do with Hingson's memories of learning to navigate a sighted world as a blind man. Though I enjoyed the content, I have to admit that it was arranged rather haphazardly. Hingson wanders from memories of his time in the stairwell of the north tower to memories of learning how to ride a bike to descriptions of men (and the technology they invented) that enabled Hingson (and other blind people) to live a full life in a sighted world. This book would have been much better had Hingson employed a bit of a structure.
Structure issues aside, I did find myself incredibly moved as Hingson described his feelings upon truly realizing the ramifications of the event that he had just survived. I was moved with the realization that this was a historical event that occurred while I was alive and had (and has) worldwide ramifications.
I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a fairly easy read that contributes one of many different perspectives on this momentous event of United States (and world) history.
I would also, however, recommend that anyone who picks up this book set their expectations low so as not to be disappointed once they finish.

Thunder Dog The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero

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