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Women's Fiction
Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage

Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage

List Price: $24.99
Your Price: $15.74
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A personal story, bravely shared with the world
Review: I enjoyed reading this story. This book is written from one woman's point of view, and it is based in her personal experience. No one can guess the pain that she has been through, but more than anything, few know the great hope that she possesses.

In "Let's Roll" Lisa Beamer shares the story of her husband, Todd Beamer, who was killed on United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. She goes into great detail about the fated flight that crashed into a feild in rural Pennsylvania, possibly saving thousands of lives.

Lisa is very candid about Todd's and her backgrounds; describing their childhoods, courtship, marriage, and life after 9-11.

Although there are thousands of "stories" to be told by 9-11 survivors, this is one of hope, strength, and God's provision. Written from the Christian perspective, it provides a clear Gospel message and cites scripture.

It takes great courage to share such personal thoughts and moments with potentially the whole world. Lisa insists that she is just a wife/mother that has had to deal with what life has thrown her. But in the book, she shares how her faith in God has given her extraordinary strength to face the devistation in her life.

Grab a hanky for this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Story of Hope and Faith
Review: I found the story of Lisa and Todd Beamer to be interesting, courageous, and inspiring. The book explains the foundation of hope and faith that that allowed two ordinary people to respond so courageously through horrific circumstances.

In contrast to some critics, the book is not designed to be a theological study. It is designed to be a description of a couples journey and discovery through life and death. I believe that people will be able to relate to it since they were just like everybody else with their own faults, fears, and difficulties. There were so many tragic stories following 9-11 but I believe that following the tragedy Lisa Beamer became a central figure because both her and Todd's lives displayed symbols of hope that people desperately desire. A hope that triumph's over the evil and hate that created this tragedy.

One person's review (see katemch) found Lisa's faith to be "chirpy, inspirational packaging". I suggest reading katemch's review to understand the feelings of a person who is living a life with no hope or faith in God and then read Lisa and Todd Beamer's story and make a decision as to which type of life you prefer to live.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An encouraging story of ordinary people in challenging times
Review: I had become intrigued with the story of Todd Beamer and I was already with familiar with his story when I read the book. Mrs. Beamer's account fills in the gaps on the life of Todd Beamer. As a thirtysomething guy I could relate to the life of the Beamers and felt like I had lost a friend. The book gives a general background on the Beamers up until 9/11. As I have faced the same challenge of balancing family and career I could connect to Todd's struggle. Mrs. Beamer also gives an encouraging account of the support she recieved from family and friends. The accounts of how family friends discover the news caused my eyes to water. This story, along with other accounts of the victims of UA93 and 9/11 brings the tragedy to a very human level. The book, AMONG THE HEROES would make an excellent companion to this story.
If you are hostile to the Christian message I would not suggest you read this book. You will only get upset. Mrs. Beamer is a woman of faith which had already been tested by the loss of her father when she became a widow. I believe that she has wrestled with her faith in God and the human race. The events of 9/11 led me to question why God gave us free will to act in such a manner. She has alluded to that process in the book and in several interviews. The purpose of this book is not to examine her theological journey over the course of the year. The purpose is to tell the story of her husband before 9/11, to reconstruct that day as best as she can, and where she finds herself now. I think one who does not have a full grasp of the Christian worldview or only has a distorted view will not, in turn, be able to comprehend this book. However, for those who are open to the Christian worldview or open to how one Christian has dealt with that day, this book will serve well. As all proceeds go to benefit children facing trauma this is an excellent investment in the future.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: American Heroes for the 21st Century
Review: In "Let's Roll" Lisa Beamer limns her husband whom the world only met through his heroic death. There's always a risk in learning the details of an icon's life. How many celebrity autobiographies have left readers thinking "what an amoral jerk!"? In the case of Todd Beamer, his countless admirers will not be disappointed. Indeed he was truly the kind and selfless Christian husband and father whose unflinching answer to his unanticipated call to duty catapulted him into posthumous fame. That celebrated act was just the final and most ballyhooed of a too-short, inspiring life.

Throughout the book, Lisa's prose capitalizes upon a prescient poignancy. Nearly every chapter ends with a line that seems to augur Todd's eventual martyrdom. After a chapter discussing Todd's career path, his widow mentions that although he didn't feel called to ministry he was determined to fulfill his Christian obligations. As she narrates, "he could serve God in business as well and maybe even make more of an impact on the world...His close friends and family members didn't understand all that Todd meant at the time; one day they would." Ending a chapter that describes his years before they met, she justifiably boasted that "Todd Beamer always came through in a clutch." Relating his university years at Wheaton Christian College, she analyzes that "Wheaton was a great place for Todd Beamer to be for there he learned many lessons that would impact the rest of his life and an entire nation."

Learning of their separate growing up family lives, it's fitting that a man who has come to embody patriotism for the 21st century and his wife both came from families were national pride had never gone out of style. Lisa proudly declares of her formative years, "independence, patriotism, freedom, and the American way of life were not trite cliches tossed around lightly in our family. They were highly treasured values." In a demonstration of fate's cruelty Todd's father was at an unrelated business meeting in San Francisco on September 11. Due to the indefinite grounding of all flights he and a friend rented a car and drove all the way across America to get back home. After his return, he remarked with spontaneous eloquence, "as we crossed the country, I had a chance to see again just how vast and beautiful our nation is and how much our freedom and way of life are worth fighting for."

Perhaps the ultimate irony of the story is the stark contrast between Todd Beamer (along with Jeremy Glick and many of the other Flight 93 heroes) and their murderous thugs. One side represented a dedication to family, country, and fidelity. The other side saw debauchery--even in the next life where a purported orgy was their lusted reward--as the ultimate goal. As politically incorrect as it may be to say, the fact that one viewpoint was held by the Christians and the other by the Muslims is likely not coincidental.

Some may experience tinges of guilt at the genuine satisfaction felt, but all readers will derive some sense of justice in learning that the brave rebels poured boiling water over the hijackers as they attempted to reclaim the plane. The scalding liquid must have caused the murderers unbearable pain in their final moments and provided a minor preview of the heat where they were going.

Lisa Beamer is right to share her husband's noble sacrifice with the other brave insurrectionists on board the doomed flight. She accurately declaims "the valiant heroes aboard Flight 93 fought the first battle in what President Bush declared as a war against terrorism...and won."

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: The Bible Thumper's Book of Platitudes.
Review: I picked up this book in a dentist's waiting room .. and it nearly made me wish I was the one in the chair.
What could have been an interesting story about dealing with sudden loss was little more than the "inspiration-lite" stuff you'd find in a Family Circle article: banal, one-dimensional, and written at about a 5th-grade level (I'm guessing the publishers accurately predicted the educational level of their born-again target audience). No serious thought, no interesting insights. A McBook for those who like their simplistic platitudes laced with ham-handed Christian proselytization.

If Lisa Beamer is not a Bible-thumper without an original thought in her head, she sure did a great impersonation of one.

About the only good thing I can say about "Let's Roll" is that it's as short as its title.
Unfortunately, it's about as thoughtful as the title too.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Sovereignty of God over September 11th
Review: Lisa Beamer does a wonderful job of framing the tragic events of September 11th (in which she lost her husband Todd on Flight 93)in the context of a God who never lost control and allows suffering to take place for His own sovereign purposes. She says: "Hope comes from knowing that we have a sovereign, loving God who is in control of every event of our lives . . . It's a time of uncertainty, and many people are looking for something to cling to. I hope for you that you can cling to the one who has all the power, and all the love, and all the care, because he's the one who's really in charge." Amen, Lisa.

I'm saddened that so many reviews of Lisa's book on this page are negative. Her story is being treated as if it's pure speculation and if she wanted the media attention she has gotten. She didn't and her integrity in handling the thousands of dollars which have been sent to her proves it. Sure, this is only one of many stories - only one life of many that were touched on 9/11. But that doesn't make it any less poignant. I finished this on 9/11/03. A fitting remembrance...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Courageous Book by a Courageous Woman
Review: Lisa Beamer truly helped to rally a battered America after 9/11. I remember seeing her on nearly every national show and thinking, "She's got great faith." Her husband's story is truly a wonderful inspiration for Americans.

I've just now read this book and perhaps that is why I was a tad disappointed in the content. That's not to say that Lisa's writing style is poor, its just that there is so much fluff. She talks at great length about both of their families and gives almost too much detail--pet names, family anecdotes, etc.

Over all, its an inspiring read and it was interesting to see how she found out about the towers falling down and when she found out about her husband being on the fateful flight to San Franscisco.

For Christians, its an inspirational read and I credit Lisa Beamer for being real, yet not bitter about life's circumstances. She truly trusts God and her faith is genuine. At the same time, she admits to times of loneliness, despair, and wondering "Why?" Yet, like Christians after God's own heart, she doesn't leave it there--she goes to God and shares her intimate thoughts.

I would encourage you to endure the sometimes dry sections of this book and read on. Sometimes we need to listen to the stories of people like Lisa, even if the details may not interest us. It is good therapy for their soul and gives us greater compassion for their plight.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Let's Roll review by M.M.
Review: Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer is a biography of the life of Todd Beamer. Some themes that the book covers are death, love, religion, and family. This book is about a man named Todd who is on a plane, which is hijacked on September 11, 2001. The hijackers are planning to crash the plane into one of the U.S. capital buildings. This book is all about Todd's life before that day, and his families life after. The book tells about how Todd and his wife first met, about their dreams and wishes for the future, and how they began to build their family, and how it was quickly torn apart.
Todd was a strong-hearted man, and a hard worker, never one to give in without a fight. So when he met the woman of his dreams, he was determined to make her his wife. Todd and Lisa soon started dating and eventually they were married. With their first baby on the way, they began planning their future. How many kids they wanted, where they would want to live. They were totally in love with each other, so they were able to overcome some obstacles life threw at them. Todd was a hard worker, so sometimes his work got in the way of his family. But Todd and Lisa would work it all out in the end. Todd's job moved them around a lot, and also caused him to have to travel very often. Their dreams and wishes for the future were put to an abrupt stop when Todd's plane, United Flight 93 was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania. Now with Todd gone, Lisa must take care of her two sons and her daughter that was on the way. The book shows how Lisa had the courage to move on because of her faith in God. Todd and Lisa lived their lives, and built their family trusting on God for help. And now Lisa must trust in God that he will help her get through life without her husband.
This book has an interesting and memorable story to it. It shows how life can be so short. And that you shouldn't take anything for granted, because you never know when it will be taken from you. This book explores issues relating to being prepared, or ready for when your life comes to an end. Lisa Beamer goes into how you should trust in God, because he can get you through any situation. This book affected me because it made me realize that you should never take anything for granted, or hold back on anything. It also helped me realize that sometimes life throws obstacles in your way, but if you just trust in God, he'll get you through it. Some people who could probably relate to this book would be people who've lost close family members or loved ones.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Let's Roll!
Review: Let's Roll!

The book titled "Let's Roll" written by Lisa Beamer is a magnificent book that will keep your interest throughout the entire novel. Lisa does a wonderful job in retelling the story of the horrible attacks of September 11th, and the many hardships that she continues to face after the tragedy. Lisa not only talks about the loss of her husband aboard Flight 93, but about what really happened aboard that flight on September 11th. She also talks about their marriage before and after the attacks. Even though she is dealing with the pain encountered when loosing a loved one, she never looses hope, and her strength inspires many. She was the wife of a very courageous man who America considers today a hero.
Lisa Beamer, wife of Todd Beamer and mother of three, had never thought her life would be what it is today. Todd and Lisa had the ideal marriage; they seemed so perfect in each other's eyes. They made wonderful parents together. At the time, they had two children and one on the way, which they both were very excited about. They were both wonderful people who's faith in God brought them far in life.
Todd was a businessman who worked for a company called Oracle. He was always in the air attending many business meetings. He was scheduled to attend a meeting in San Francisco on September 11th. He was scheduled to fly out that morning aboard Flight 93 and land in San Francisco, however the outcome wasn't as planned. Lisa tells about the phone call Todd made to an operator informing her about what was happening aboard the flight and assuring telling her about the attack he and other passengers planned to make on the terrorist. He knew he wasn't going to make it out alive but that saving other lives meant the most. The rushing of the terrorist by himself and other passengers followed his last words of "Let's Roll". These words will never be forgotten! Todd and the other passengers acted out of courage and saved many Americans lives today. The terrorist intended on flying the plane into our nations capitol, instead the attack planned by our heroic passengers caused the plane to crash into an open field in Pennsylvania.
Lisa Beamer is coping with the everyday responsibilities of now a single mother. She uses her trust in God to get her through the shortcomings of life and realizing that she can get through this. Some of her most difficult times following the death of Todd was giving birth to their third child alone, and telling her children that daddy is gone. She truly feels that God gave her strength in even her most difficult situations, and gave her the words to say to explain daddy's death to their children. She continues to have hope in life and her strength will get her far.
This book allowed me to discover what really happened aboard Flight 93 on September 11th. I also have a different outlook on life now knowing that our lives can change forever in a split second. I have a large amount of respect for the heroes aboard that flight. I also have a lot of respect for Lisa Beamer. She is handling her loss very well. Her strength and hope will always inspire me!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Inspirational
Review: "Let's Roll" says it all! It's an amazing book that sheds a new light to September 11, 2001. "let's Roll" brought back all of the feelings that I felt that morning, being scared , anxious, but it also gave me a sense of hope too! It's a very motivational book as well, and if you need a reboost on your faith this is the book to read. It was a great way to share their faith with the world. She turned a tragedy of her life into a way to spread Gods word. She is a strong person and I admire her for that.


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