Reluctant Hero

A 9/11 Hero Speaks Out About What He's Learned, How He's Struggled, and What No One Should Ever Forget

By: Michael Benfante

Narrated by: Chris Ruen

After nearly 10 years of conflicted silence, a celebrated 9/11 survivor describes what it was like for him living with memories of 9/11 for the past decade.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Michael Benfante went to work, just like he had day after day, at his office on 81st floor in the World Trade Center North Tower. Moments after the first plane struck, just 12 floors above him, Benfante organized his terrified employees, getting them out of the office and moving down the stairwells. On his way down, he and another co-worker encountered a woman in a wheelchair on the 68th floor. Benfante, the woman, and Benfante's co-worker then embarked on a 96-minute odyssey of escape - the two men carrying the woman down 68 flights of stairs, out of the North Tower, and into an ambulance that rushed her to safety just minutes before the tower imploded.

A CBS video camera caught Benfante just as he got out of the building, and almost immediately, the national media came calling. Benfante sat on the couch with Oprah Winfrey, where she hailed him as a hero. Almost one year to the day after 9/11, Benfante got married, and the woman in the wheelchair sat in the front row.

That's the storybook ending. But in the aftermath of 9/11, Benfante began a journey fraught with wrenching personal challenges of critical, emotional, and psychological depth which he captures here in Reluctant Hero. Benfante shares the trappings of his public heroism, the loneliness of his private anguish, and the hope he finds for himself and for us. Because all of us - whether we were in the towers in New York City or someplace else - are 9/11 survivors.

©2011 Michael Benfante and David Hollander (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

After The Horrors

We all remember that dreadful day don't we? Were you at work? At school? Perhaps on the other side of the world? Did you put your hand over your mouth in an attempt to muffle the silent screams because you could not believe the horrific scenes unfolding in front of your unbelieving eyes? We watched slowly trying to comprehend the sights that made our minds signal silent messages " This is just a night mare.WAKE UP".

Days passed and we learned the worst.....oh such sadness. Such devastation. Tears ducts that dried up. Another funeral. Another WHY, WHY, WHY.

Then slowly but surely we started to hear about acts of sacrifice. Those stories about the rarest of the rare. Human beings who for no reason other than for for the fact that they have a soul and are in 'touch' with their humanity gave of their selves. Risking their lives to help a total stranger.

This is just one of those special stories about a special guy.

You would expect that his life would be filled with joy,good luck, showered with awards, honors, financial gifts and other accolades. NO. You couldn't be more wrong.

Michael Benfante went to hell and back again. He is a true hero as not only did he save a life but he saved himself. This book will save others too. Michael YOU are a WINNER.

Chris Ruen gives an excellent performance which brings such value.

Not to be missed.

Emotional and Educational

If you could sum up Reluctant Hero in three words, what would they be?

Intense, emotional and educational

What did you like best about this story?

I appreciate the book and the author. In particular I loved his reflection and his summing words at the end of the book. I think we can use Michael's words in schools, in Army courses, in management workshops and in any empowerment session.

What about Chris Ruen’s performance did you like?

He is an amazing narrator.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I was very emotional. I loved Michael's summing words at the end of the book. I wanted to copy them and share them with my family and friends.

Any additional comments?

9/11 should not be forgotten. We need Michael's book to remember and to learn from the horrific experiences people had that day to build a better future for our kids. We need to learn how to manage conflicts better and to listen to others even if they their opinion is different than ours. We need to support one another to build a better society.

Gripping account of 9/11 and the lessons learned

I'm sure we've all wondered what is was like to "be there." This book will help you understand -- as much as any of us can -- what it felt like to be in the middle of the chaos and carnage; a first-hand account of the worst terrorist attack on US soil.

Although the book isn't superbly written in the purest sense, it makes up for any linguistic deficiencies with its honesty and openness. The writer describes, in intimate detail, the personal downward spiral he experienced as the result of the 9/11 disaster he lived through. He is very honest about the impact such a trauma took on him and how it affected his behavior and relationships. It's both moving and gut-wrenching

Great job!

This was wonderful, I listened in one day. I hope you’re continuing to do well. Ptsd is nothing to mess with for sure.

A message we have forgotten

A very moving book about one man's personal experience on 911. Michael takes you through his escape from the north tower, then through his experience of trying to get back to normal afterward. NEVER FORGET.

Outstanding First Hand Account

Michael thank you for sharing your story with the world. It took a lot of courage for you to face that day and tell the world about it. I've ready many books regarding September 11th and this one really captured the reality of the situation and I didn't want to stop listening to it. Thank you for your heroism!

Not amazing :(

I have read a number of 9/11 stories. In every book, the content, regarding September 11th, is always amazing. This book shares the authors 9/11 story at the beginning of the book. The last half is a bit dull to say the least. I would not recommend this particular book and I feel bad about that considering the content.