Faith. Trust. Triumph.
"I trust Roselle with my life, every day. She trusts me to direct her. And today is no different, except the stakes are higher." ?Michael Hingson
First came the boom?the loud, deep, unapologetic bellow that seemed to erupt from the very core of the earth. Eerily, the majestic high-rise slowly leaned to the south. On the seventy-eighth floor of the World Trade Center's north tower, no alarms sounded, and no one had information about what had happened at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001?what should have been a normal workday for thousands of people. All that was known to the people inside was what they could see out the windows: smoke and fire and millions of pieces of burning paper and other debris falling through the air.
Blind since birth, Michael couldn't see a thing, but he could hear the sounds of shattering glass, falling debris, and terrified people flooding around him and his guide dog, Roselle. However, Roselle sat calmly beside him. In that moment, Michael chose to trust Roselle's judgment and not to panic. They are a team.
Thunder Dog allows you entry into the isolated, fume-filled chamber of stairwell B to experience survival through the eyes of a blind man and his beloved guide dog. Live each moment from the second a Boeing 767 hits the north tower, to the harrowing stairwell escape, to dodging death a second time as both towers fold into the earth.
It's the 9/11 story that will forever change your spirit and your perspective. Thunder Dog illumiates Hingson's lifelong determination to achieve parity in a sighted world, and how the rare trust between a man and his guide dog can inspire an unshakable faith in each one of us.
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"One of the most interesting books I have read. I was expecting a book primarily about an awesome guide dog, and instead I learned more about being blind than I ever imagined. Written with a warm sense of humor, very informative. Read to the very last page with a smile!"
— Deb (5 out of 5 stars)
" It wasn't quite what I thought it would be. It is a good story and is easy to read, but it doesn't go into as much detail as I thought it would about his experience during 9/11. It was very enlightening to read about his experience growing up blind and how he has been able to find his way through a world geared for sighted people. "
— Dana, 2/19/2014" Be prepared to cry all the way through! "
— Rhoda, 1/30/2014" Very touching story about the bond between a man and his eyes during their darkest hour together "
— Rex, 1/21/2014" I was expecting an inspiring story about a blind man and his guide dog making it out of the World Trade Center on 9/11. I got much more. The story of escaping death was good, but I learned so much more about blind people and how little difference there is between those who are blind and those who are sighted. I recommend this quick read if for no other reason than to be more aware of the capabilities of handicapped individuals as opposed to their limitations. "
— Jill, 1/18/2014" A great book with a demonstration of unconditional love, bravery, and overcoming. Great read! "
— Kimberly, 1/16/2014" Absolutely a wonderful book. It shows a true test of character in the man and the dog. "
— Rachel, 1/12/2014" This was a really good book. I listened to it in the car, and it's one of the better audio books I've listened to. It was interesting to read about what happened to him on Sept 11 and learn about his life. "
— Kris, 1/7/2014" A must read book. Very inspirational and interesting insight into a blind mans world. "
— Flat, 1/5/2014" A story about a blind man and his guide dog who were on the 78th floor of the WTC tower 1 on 9/11. "
— Linda, 1/4/2014" Meh- This was more of a biography of the writer than about the dog or 9/11- and despite the extreme circumstances it was not very compelling of a read "
— Aaron, 12/29/2013" sounded so interesting and emotional but ended up being so slow! "
— Eileen, 12/26/2013" It's 2 days before the 11th anniversary of the 9-11-01 attacks. Reading this account helped me to once again appreciate the sacrifice so many made on that day. "
— Patty, 12/14/2013" This is an excellent read. If you enjoy good storytelling, then this is a story to read. Inspirational and educational. The tragedy of 9/11 is woven through the book butt it is do much more. "
— Beth, 12/9/2013" Not what I expected.. but still somewhat interesting.. "
— Surina, 11/23/2013" A good read about what a blind perosn can accomplish. "
— Emily, 7/15/2013" Michael Hingson is just an ordinary guy, who happens to be blind, and who managed to survive an extraordinary day with the help of his guide dog, Roselle. I enjoyed reading about his life story and how he doesn't see his blindness as a disability. "
— Kristi, 6/1/2013" I really enjoyed this book, for all the reasons:9/11 survivor, Guide Dog and disabilties. "
— Karen, 1/31/2013" This was a fantastic book. I strongly recommend. "
— Renee, 8/21/2012" Was interesting, but enjoyed "Until Tuesday" more. "
— Susan, 8/12/2012" I enjoyed reading this book. Not only was it about the dog but; about Michael and growing up blind. Gave lots of insight as to how it is growing up blind. Something I hope I never have to do. A must read. "
— Mary, 5/23/2012" Would have given it 3.5 stars. Even 11 years after 9/11, the book reads fresh. Hingson's opinions and insights on blindness are well-presented, and perhaps left of mainstream thought. His genuine regard for his dog[s] comes through clearly. Source citations appear to be very comprehensive. "
— D, 5/22/2012" I enjoyed this book, but it didn't really have a lot of depth. It basically told the story of Mr. Hingson's trip down the stairs of WTC 1, intertwined with accounts of his experiences growing up as a blind person. It was heartwarming, but didn't have much in the way of "wow" or headshaking moments. "
— Jeff, 12/27/2011" Interesting book about a blind man and his guide dog's escape from one of the Twin Towers. The book dragged at times, but it was worth reading. "
— Peggy, 11/7/2011" Quick, easy read. Great feel good story. <br/> "
— Elizabeth, 11/7/2011" Learned about life, God, how to interact with blind people, and fell in love with a dog "
— Mtogo, 11/2/2011" A good read about what a blind perosn can accomplish. "
— Emily, 10/27/2011" Really liked it. Have read alot about 9/11 but learned some new stuff. Interesting-learned alot of stuff about blind people and guide dogs. "
— Carlene, 10/25/2011" A good read. And really puts you in the shoes of a blind person and his dog, in and out of the chaos of 911. "
— Lynn, 10/24/2011" Well, let's just say I am glad I read (listened) to it. Not at all what I expected, but my heart and soul are warm and feel good from listening to it. "
— Lisa, 10/19/2011" I wish I could give more than 5 stars. This book was inspirational and so moving! "
— Nikki, 10/11/2011" Such an inspiring and interesting story (especially since I am going into the field of visual impairment). Be prepared to be sent back to 9/11 and feel all of those emotions again. "
— Stacy, 10/10/2011" Powerful story and easily made its way to my top list of "favorite reads". "
— Heather, 10/7/2011" Very interesting read. I've never know much about the world of blind people and this was a great insight into that. "
— Amy, 10/6/2011" Read the entire book in a couple of hours. Interesting story about the author and his guide dog's descent down the stairs after the Work Trade Center attack on 9/11. "
— Cheryl, 10/3/2011Michael Hingson, national ambassador for the Braille Literacy Campaign, is a miraculous survivor of 9/11. He lives with his wife, Karen, in the San Francisco Bay Area with two guide dogs, Africa and Fantasia, and one cat, Sherlock.
Christopher Prince is a veteran voice-over artist with over fifteen years of experience. He has lent his voice-over talent to dozens of national commercials, industrial projects, and audio books.