The Day the World Came to Town Audiobook By Jim DeFede cover art

The Day the World Came to Town

9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Day the World Came to Town

By: Jim DeFede
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.99

Buy for $17.99

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

Perfect for fans of the musical Come From Away!

When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill. As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email, and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news.

©2002 Jim DeFede (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers 21st Century Americas Canada Modern Aviation Inspiring Heartfelt

Featured Article: In the Oral Histories of 9/11, Grief, Hope, and Heroism Find a Voice


Memories passed down through storytelling have been a vital part of culture since the dawn of civilization, and we've all had moments of pained reminiscence: Where were you on that day? There are few accounts more powerful than audio recollections of the lived histories of 9/11—their words, their voices, their stories all ensure we will never forget, that the passage of time will never erode the memory of those loved, lost, and left behind.

Featured Article In the Oral Histories of 9/11 Grief Hope and Heroism Find a Voice
Heartwarming Stories • Uplifting Perspective • Outstanding Narration • Inspiring Humanity • Compelling Testimonials
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
Hi,
I was on Continental 23. I lived through this. Hearing what was going on in the other planes and with the other passengers was remarkable. I shed many a tear while listening to this book. I only wish I would have been able to contribute to the book. It was so nice living this experience again through this book. I plan to go back to Appleton this summer to visit and donate some more money.

👍👍 From one of the Plane People

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book I learned so much about the flights that landed in Newfoundland. It was a wonderful book to listen to. The reader was excellent.

Fantastic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This was a powerful and touching book. I am not usually a fan of non-fiction, but could not stop listening.

Just the story I needed in these divisive times.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A beautiful story well told by a talented narrator. I had a smile on my face and joy in my heart the entire time that I listened.

A must reward, especially if you’ve seen “Come From Away”

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. Well written, poignant. Narration was superb. I strongly recommend it, and have to multiple family members.

The most inspiring book I’ve read in years

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Thank you for gathering all of these true stories together and sharing them with the world

Amazing true story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. This small town took on hundreds of people and all the challenges of 9-11 and met it with happiness, optimism and kindness.

Uplifting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent heartwarming makes one realize there are many good people around. Reader sounds like Tom Hanks

Day the world cAM to town

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
God bless all those Newfies!! These are some of the most precious people on the globe. For so many of them to open their homes and hearts to so many hurting and confused people is truly amazing.

God bless the people of Newfoundland!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I remember the chaos of that fateful day but can hardly imagine what the travelers and their hosts went through. The Newfies were certainly the best thing that could happen to the stranded passengers.
I recently saw a musical in NY that also told the story of the same.
Both of these-book and musical will stay with me for a long, long time.

Remembering a time that impacts all of us

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews