Scan barcode
katiescho741's review against another edition
4.0
I discovered this book via an episode of the podcast Swindled so I already knew the basics of the story about Tania Head. This is a short book but it feels like such a huge story. I had not heard of Tania before the podcast and I can't imagine what she put the real survivor through.
I love the way the book is written; it's a linear timeline from Tania's wonderful life before 9/11, through the day, and then onto when she became involved with the survivors network. It's only as her friends start questioning and the NYT starts trying to pin details down that her story falls apart and is revealed to be a scam. I guess it's written like a novel would be. When you're aware of her deception, all the little things she does through out the book seem clearly suspicious; how she didn't want to speak publicly, or be interviewed for a major journal, or where her beloved dog had gone.
This book gives some interesting yet disturbing insights into how the survivors of 9/11 were treated - their second-class status next to the families of those who died, and how they felt forgotten. Although the book focuses on Tania, I think it's heart-warming to see the survivors come together and find their place amongst the tributes to 9/11.
The one thing this book doesn't give is an answer to why Tania did this. But I suppose only she knows that for sure. There is some short speculation at the end but it's not looked into thoroughly. I assume this is because no one knows and there's no evidence for any motive so anything said would be 100% conjecture. Overall this book is well written and concise and weaves an incredible story.
I love the way the book is written; it's a linear timeline from Tania's wonderful life before 9/11, through the day, and then onto when she became involved with the survivors network. It's only as her friends start questioning and the NYT starts trying to pin details down that her story falls apart and is revealed to be a scam. I guess it's written like a novel would be. When you're aware of her deception, all the little things she does through out the book seem clearly suspicious; how she didn't want to speak publicly, or be interviewed for a major journal, or where her beloved dog had gone.
This book gives some interesting yet disturbing insights into how the survivors of 9/11 were treated - their second-class status next to the families of those who died, and how they felt forgotten. Although the book focuses on Tania, I think it's heart-warming to see the survivors come together and find their place amongst the tributes to 9/11.
The one thing this book doesn't give is an answer to why Tania did this. But I suppose only she knows that for sure. There is some short speculation at the end but it's not looked into thoroughly. I assume this is because no one knows and there's no evidence for any motive so anything said would be 100% conjecture. Overall this book is well written and concise and weaves an incredible story.
ljm57's review against another edition
3.0
An amazing true story featuring a thoroughly unlikeable anti-hero. The book would have held more power if readers did not already no from the rather bland title & the blurb that the whole plot was one elaborate hoax. The relevation at the end seemed a little rushed & unexplored to me. Easy to read. I read the thing in one day.
nderiley's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating. This woman's level of deception and manipulation is awe inspiring
thatnerd's review
3.0
I didn't learn much more from the reading the book than I did watching the documentary. It's still a very good read, however, and captures the length some people will go to in order to deceive others and get attention.
shamelessbibliophile41's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
Graphic descriptions of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11/2001beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Tania Head was like anyone else. Just a normal person trying to survive in the corporate world of America. Only that all changed on September 11, 2001. Tania became a 9/11 survivor, lost a loved one…her fiancé, David, and became a public figure of hope for other survivors. Tania helped to grow the World Trade Center Survivors’ Network and lead tours at ground zero.
This went on for years until, the New York Times wanted to do a story on Tania. It was than that the truth was discovered. Tania was a fraud. She was never a 9/11 survivor. She was never engaged. The best part…Tania was attending school in Barcelona, Spain when the Twin Towers were attacked.
It has been a few days since I finished this book and I am still in shock. I am still asking myself why would anyone want to fake being a 9/11 survivor or claim to be a survivor or any horrific accident for that matter.
To be honest as I was reading this book, I was so in shock that this was true that I didn’t get mad. I was in mad shock, if this makes sense. I was too in shock to feel anything else at the moment. Part of the reason I feel like I could not get upset was because this happened in the past and I did not get much satisfaction after reading this book. This is not the authors fault but I blame Tania. She was a chicken when it came to the truth and her reasoning and I felt like she played dodge ball when it came to answering the question of Why?
This was an interesting book. I read it almost all in one sitting, which would not have been bad, if I hadn’t started it right before going to bed.
kamillebee's review against another edition
4.0
I have watched two documentaries about Tania Head. In both documentaries, I walked away feeling a little sad for the woman. Clearly, she was/is dealing with mental issues.
After reading this book, I have no sympathy for Tania Head. She lied her way into a position of power. She interfered with the mental well-being of actual survivors. She used and abused her position of power. She manipulated people who trusted her and cared for her. I don't even want to think about what she did to the family of the man she claimed to be her husband or the Crowther family.
I enjoyed the book, only because I was into the mystery of this woman. I didn't find out too many facts that I didn't already know from watching the documentaries. There was little biographical information about her, same as in the docs. No explanation was offered as to why she did what she did. The book was well-written and short. An easy read. Great story with alot of holes, obviously.
After reading this book, I have no sympathy for Tania Head. She lied her way into a position of power. She interfered with the mental well-being of actual survivors. She used and abused her position of power. She manipulated people who trusted her and cared for her. I don't even want to think about what she did to the family of the man she claimed to be her husband or the Crowther family.
I enjoyed the book, only because I was into the mystery of this woman. I didn't find out too many facts that I didn't already know from watching the documentaries. There was little biographical information about her, same as in the docs. No explanation was offered as to why she did what she did. The book was well-written and short. An easy read. Great story with alot of holes, obviously.
dsbressette's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good book. Excellent pacing, good storytelling. You knew from the book jacket that Tania Head lied (in huge ways), but it was a very compelling story to get to that final realization.
carolpk's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those OMG books. All I can say is it's a good thing that I knew the outcome going in.
I'm giving this 4 stars but this is not a story that warrants "like" I'm not going to say anything more but would love to read or discuss this book with a group. This would allow an exploration of the psychological make-up of the people whose stories are told.
One thing I really liked about this book was how the authors laid out the story. They could have chosen to do it in a far different way. It was also heart rending to hear the stories of the 9/11 survivors and how little they were considered in the aftermath.
Some reviewers found the story appalling, some found some redemption in it. I am still weighing the whole.
I'm giving this 4 stars but this is not a story that warrants "like" I'm not going to say anything more but would love to read or discuss this book with a group. This would allow an exploration of the psychological make-up of the people whose stories are told.
One thing I really liked about this book was how the authors laid out the story. They could have chosen to do it in a far different way. It was also heart rending to hear the stories of the 9/11 survivors and how little they were considered in the aftermath.
Some reviewers found the story appalling, some found some redemption in it. I am still weighing the whole.