September 11, 2001

Oversimplification is not good for anyone.

While this book contains wonderful pictures and a clear time line of the events of September 11, it arrogantly attempts to present the reasons for the attacks. There is no clear consensus on why the attacks of September 11th happened. The book cherry picks historical events going back to the Crusades, but ultimately portrays the attacks on the United States as having two main causes: the relationship with our ally, Israel, and the presence of US soldiers on Muslim lands. This oversimplifies a complicated situation to such an extent that it renders the book useless, if not dangerous. While I understand that it is difficult to explain these things to children, it would have been better to say that the reasons are still being debated, or that there are many opinions. Instead, the author portrays his oversimplified reasons as undisputed fact, alongside actual facts like the time line and the plane routes. Overall, a disappointing description of an important part of our history. I don't recommend anyone purchase this book. Read more