Markey Publishing

When people think about 9/11, their first thought is likely not of the former building complex’s owner, Larry Silverstein. However, that doesn’t make his story any less fascinating. The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild The World Trade Center, Silverstein’s 345 page memoir set to release on September 10th, 2024, offers a firsthand look into how one man came to own, lose, and subsequently rebuild New York City’s most iconic buildings.

The memoir details the full story of Silverstein’s Involvement with the World Trade Center, with the first third of the book covering how he came to own the complex in the first place. He carefully describes how he navigated a tumultuous relationship with the Port Authority, competed against far larger companies than his, and navigated a treacherous PR landscape before ultimately becoming the sole leaseholder for the World Trade Centers, only a month before their tragic collapse. 

Throughout the book, we get a firsthand look into Silverstein’s way of doing business, including the numerous difficulties he faced during the process of rebuilding the World Trade Centers. There are multiple accounts of Silverstein narrowly avoiding defraudation from his insurers, facing unreasonable construction delays, not to mention several mayoral regime changes, all from a first person point of view, offering a unique perspective to this harrowing historical tale.

It is Silverstein’s writing style that turns what would be a memoir carried by its historical significance, into a gripping page turner. His detailed description of numerous meetings and characters weave together a masterful portrayal of what would already be a fascinating story. The book also has an ample amount of photography detailing the reconstruction process, including mock-ups of what could have been the One World Trade Center. For anyone with an interest in business, American history, or tales of governmental ineptitude, The Rising is a must buy.

The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild The World Trade Center releases tomorrow, September 10th. A special thanks to Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to review an early copy of this amazing book!

The Rising’s cover page. Photo/C. Markey