9/11 is one of those moments in history that changed everything. The way people lives. Before, we lived inside our wonderful lifestyle bubble, untouchable, feeling safe and secure. Sure, dangerous stuff happened in other lands, but nothing could touch American shores. Almost sixty years, all of us thought it was impossible for anything like 9/11 to happen. Chapter 1, Way Too Hot
These hijackers were here, mixed right in among us. They were near large Muslim populations, but because they were radicals, they weren’t accepted into those communities. The vast majority of Muslims are peaceful people who just want to live like we do. Everyday people spent time with these extremists who wanted to kill Americans and wage war against the West, and before 9/11 no one knew it was even possible for that to happen. Chapter 2, It's a Small World
The hijackers trained at airports around the US. It’s mind- blowing they were in our country for years before this happened, mixing in with people like you and me. Two Saudi men with money took pilot lessons, no questions asked. The instructor had trained foreign students before, so it seemed like just another set of future pilots to teach. These men asked about flying bigger planes and when they would learn to fly Boeings. They couldn’t speak enough English or figure out the most basic parts of flying an airplane. Chapter 2, It's a Small World
This person was distinctive. A dark complexion, which plays against the light green tinted robe and a turban around his head. A long beard. A haggard look. I can see that he doesn’t look healthy. All attention is directly on him. They move toward my door, the bodyguard gets in front of the man in the turban. All focus is on him. He must be someone special. They walk through the door and into my store. Chapter 12, 100 Minutes With Osama bin Laden
As they get closer, I see the way the tall one with the turban move. Like he’s on a mission. He’s got a “I’ve been in the car too long and I need an emergency bathroom break." as he walks into my store. It's something I see on people’s faces thanks to the long stretches of nothing on either side of Interstate 80 in mid-America. Their faces are packed with questions about where the bathrooms are, even with signs and arrows pointing towards the restrooms. It looked like this guy would walk straight through a wall if he had to. With his obvious state of discomfort, he carried himself like royalty. Confidence doesn't even come close. It's more than that. His head is tipped down, his face looking at the ground, so that his turban looks comfortable but precarious. Chapter 12, 100 Minutes With Osama bin Laden
Once I realized the connection between the man who had been in my store and the loss of thousands of lives in the 9/11 attacks, I knew I needed to tell someone. Let someone know, but I didn't know how. Chapter 16 - Timing is Everything
