Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11 Paperback – February 6, 2018

Let me put the best part up top--this short, lovely book is a gem that help reignite your fires of hope for humanity.We all think we know "the stories" of 9/11, but Kevin Tuerff's new book gives his personal account of those few days as they stretched out for the thousands of passengers whose planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, in Canada. Gander (a small town of about 10,000) had a large airport with long runways--a legacy from the pre-jet era, when propeller-driven planes had to refuel before or after crossing the Atlantic. Suddenly, with the closure of U.S. airspace in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Gander had thousands of foreign passengers who might turn out to be stuck in Canada and unable to fly home for ... well, in those few days they didn't know how long the wait would be. The citizens of Gander decided collectively--and also by instinct and human feeling--to do whatever they could to give the stranded passengers food, medical care, roofs over their heads, clothes, and any other help they could think of. A morning that began with terrible terrorist acts of inhumanity and cruelty was followed (in Gander and neighboring towns and villages in Canada) by an evening, and several days, of people simultaneous coping with horrible events and yet demonstrating how good, how rich, how thoughtful, how sympathetic, how full of kindness and love, people can be.Kevin's story, and the material he assembled for this book (including interviews with other stranded passengers) helped fuel a musical that is opening March 12. The musical is a profoundly moving story about how the Canadians reflexively came together to help the stranded passengers--including Kevin Tuerff, whose personal story has been incorporated into the musical. I haven't seen the play yet--I hope to go in a week or two--but I listened to the songs (which were available for free for a short time but soon you'll have to pay for them). I was moved, and immediately I knew I had to read this book, just to know more.I'm so glad I did--the book added even more perspective and depth of feeling to the stories told in the musical (which is named "Come From Away"). If you read this book you'll want to hear the music and see the play. If you hear the music you'll want to see the play and read this book. (I'll tell you how I feel about the play after I get to see it.)Full disclosure: I've known Kevin Tuerff for about 30 years, and we've been friends for that long, even though our paths have meant that we've mostly just been in casual contact for most of the intervening years. But don't let the fact that I'm proud to be Kevin’s friend stop you from buying this book! I'm biased, but I wouldn't recommend CHANNEL OF PEACE so highly if I didn't think you'd be glad to have bought and inspired by reading it.

This is a short little feel good book that is a clear antidote to all the ugliness going on in the world around us right now. This is the true story of 9/11 and the after effects on one man. The author was on a flight from Paris to NYC on the morning of 9/11 when his flight was diverted to Gander due to the closure of US airspace. When the people on his plane were finally able to leave the plane 12 hours after they landed, there were 39 international jumbo jets on the tarmac. Over 6500 people arrived in the town of 10,000 and were greeted with open arms by the citizens. The citizens of Gander provided food, bedding and most important of all friendship to the 'plane people' during their stay in this small town. At the end of their stay, may passengers donated money to set up a scholarship fund for the students in the town. Several years after Kevin returned home, he decided to start an annual giving back day every 9/11. This is a wonderful story of kindness and love shared with people from all over the world and the effect that it had on so many people. I felt so much better about the state of our world after I read it.

I picked up "Channel of Peace" by Kevin Tuerff after watching the Broadway hit musical "Come From Away." The musical is about the kindness and generosity that the communities surrounding Gander, Newfoundland showed to stranded passengers of numerous international flights following the attacks in America on 9/11/01. Kevin was one of those passengers and was deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness and carried it forward as he worked his way back to his home in Austin, TX. He goes on to write about paying it forward through acts of kindness in his home city, and beyond. This is a short read, more of a memoir of what happened during the time of crisis, and what Kevin continues to do to make the world a better place. Buy the book, see the musical, show kindness to a stranger, and we can all be a "channel of peace."

I first learned of this book after attending a performance of "Come From Away" a traveling Broadway musical. The musical was a heartfelt story of stranded passengers whose planes were diverted to Canada on 9/11. It told their story of tragedy, human feelings and new friendships. The key characters in the musical were Beverly Bass, the pilot of an American Airline plane, Claude Elliott, Mayor of Gander Newfoundland and Kevin Tuerff a passenger on a plane diverted to Gander.After the conclusion of the show, these three individuals came on stage for a panel discussion about their experience. So interesting to hear their story. Their stories about friendship. Kevin discussed the book and I bought it before I left the theater. The book is an amazing read. I felt their pain and joy. Reading their stories helped me with my 9/11 experience.I normally don't write reviews, but in the times we are living now with Covid and civil unrest in our country, this book is some great therapy.Time to pick it back up again for more inspiration. If you happen to live in a city and Come From Away stops, run don't walk to get tickets. Buy the book today for immediate inspiration!

love it what a wonderful read so prouf go be a newfie

Its a quick read, a story we all know, except the 'pay it forward' part, which is so important .

This was a bit of a disappointment to be honest. I have become obsessed with Come From Away but this could have been better written. It has its moments though.

My wife loved this book. True to the events and inspiring to read.

I have nothing but good things to say about this experience.Even in a pandemic, shipping somehow made it to my door in 2 days. My book arrived in mint condition and I loved it.It’s an easy read and, if you’re even remotely spiritual, it will resonate with you on that level. I love reading about how an act of kindness can take on a life of its own and have an amazing ripple affect for positive change in the world, which seems to be the case here.