Beyond Stone and Steel: A Memorial to the September 11, 2001 Victims

Vignettes capture the intensity of the moments before death. A man on the stairs in the World Trade Center turns back to help a fallen woman, only to realize the tower is about to collapse. We've heard the stories of the heroes who brought down Flight 93, but there were others on that flight and others paralyzed by fear, by the realization of impending death who are equally missed. Each voice combines with the rising chorus of loss, reminding those of us left behind of the beauty in living.

I felt myself identifying with Vaszily's personal narrative as he describes how his horror and shock over such a monumental event as September 11th displaced the personal crises he faced in his life. Suddenly unemployment, bankruptcy and other mundane matters took a backseat to the appreciation of life, love and family. The voices of these fictional victims bring about the profound realization of the beauty in living, and the goodness and tremendous potential in the people around us.


Healing the wounds of Sept. 11th   April 10, 2002
Ms. Teresa L. Bourn (Chicago, IL)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

In this book, the author examines the possible last thoughts of the victims of the Sept. 11th tragedy. In doing so, he helps those who were left to mourn the victims with a ray of hope. Many last thoughts could have been our own, were we faced with the reality of death. His book puts into perspective the things in life that are really important. I was reading this book and I was there, in New York, and it hit me really hard. It explained fear I've never known. But it also reminded me of what is really important in life. I hope like so many other things in the lives of Americans that Sept. 11th doesnt simply "blow over" That the people who were killed and the people still grieving and those of us left in the aftermath, will learn from our mistakes. Not mistakes about protecting our freedoms and airports from terrorism, but the mistakes of not living life and placing inferior priorities above love and time spent with family and experiencing life for all of the wonderful things it holds. Thank you Brian, Mr. Vaszily, for your healing words.


A Very Moving Experience   May 17, 2002
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This book was like none other I have ever read... the author seemed to digest this tradegy and somehow turned it into something beautiful. It has reminded me of all that I have, how easily it could be gone and to cherish every moment we are here. It has truly changed the way I see my life. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it to everyone.


-- A powerful experience that we all need to share   April 17, 2002
Jeff Davis (Champaign, IL USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Mr. Vaszily has crafted an incredibly powerful read that you will not want to put down until you've turned the last page. Trust me, no matter how difficult you might think it will be to relive those horrifying moments again, you will quickly come to realize how deeply your own soul craves some healing. The beautifully rendered hopes and reflections of Mr. Vaszily's characters allow each of us to come to terms with those tragic events by feeling, not merely thinking, our way through the emotional confusion it left behind. In so doing, I learned an enormous amount about myself as well as what really matters in life. No American will ever be the same after September 11, but Mr. Vaszily offers each of us the opportunity to heal a little and grow a great deal. This highly original effort and fitting memorial leaves its readers with those very things the terrorist acts were meant to destroy, a love of life in America and a strong affirmation of hope that happiness will forever remain within our grasp.


Inspiration and Self Examination--A Beautiful Combination   May 15, 2002
Carolyn Howard-Johnson (Los Angeles, CA USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

"Beyond Stone and Steel" by Brian W. Vaszily recounts a personal passage from one mental state to another far better one, describes the slow, step-by-step trudge often required by events much larger than ourselves.

That event might be death.
That event might be the loss of a job.
That event might be rejection.
That event might be bankruptcy.
Or the event might be national loss.

For this author, all of these experiences played a part in his transformation. Right from the first chapter, Vaszily makes no secret of the result; what he discovered on his path down misfortune's lane is that he is "a lucky man" in spite of the hardships he has suffered.

This slim volume may be difficult to take, depending on the reader's status with recovery from the events of 9/11. Regardless of one's recovery status, though, it may be just what the doctor ordered.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of "This is the Place"