On My Watch
Buy the Book
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop.org | Indigo
Product Details
Publisher: Cavan Bridge Press
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Formats: Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: PB: 978-0-9987493-2-7; EB: 978-0-9987493-5-8
Trim: 6 x 9
Page Count: 304
A Memoir
Virginia Buckingham
Blamed for the 9/11 attacks, one woman has to find the courage to be her own hero.
As the nation came together to mourn, to support, and to rebuild in the aftermath of 9/11, Virginia Buckingham was singled out for blame. As the head of Boston’s Logan International Airport, the launching pad for the hijacked planes that destroyed the Twin Towers, she was scapegoated by the media and political leaders for supposed airport security lapses and forced to resign. She was also sued for wrongful death by the family of a 9/11 victim, holding her personally responsible for the terrorist attack.
A rising star at thirty-five, Buckingham had served as chief of staff to two consecutive Massachusetts governors before becoming the first woman to head the state’s Port Authority. But her life and career were suddenly derailed. Grappling with issues of trauma, faith, leadership, and resilience, this unique memoir shares her struggle to rebuild her life and come to terms with being blamed for the unimaginable tragedy that occurred on her watch.
About the Author
Virginia Buckingham was born in Connecticut and has lived in Massachusetts for nearly forty years. She was the first woman to serve as chief of staff to two consecutive Massachusetts governors. Buckingham was subsequently the first woman appointed to head that state’s Port Authority, operator of Logan International Airport. She has also worked as a deputy editorial page editor and columnist for the Boston Herald. In 2015 she was selected for the inaugural class of Presidential Leadership Scholars, a joint initiative of the presidential libraries of Presidents George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and Lyndon Johnson.
Reviews
“Wow. This was a poignant telling of how 911 affected someone so close to the epicenter of this world altering event, yet so far removed from the support and love that went out to many others who were touched by this tragedy. A vantage point that we have never been privy to regarding this historical event. It is honest to a fault, and encouraging to anyone who has ever searched for redemption and found the resiliency to go on within themselves. A timely read for our current situation as we all come to terms with lives that are changed beyond our control. Really touched by this memoir.” —Samantha, Amazon review
“Having lived through 9-11 in Boston, (and having a son with a 9-11 birthday, although born years earlier), I was aware of the events, but not of Virginia Buckingham’s role. It never occurred to me to blame anyone except for the highjackers and their leaders themselves. The trauma she faced, not only because of the tragedy, but from the incessant public and press attacks, was shattering. Ginny Buckingham told her story with candor and bravery in this exceptionally well-written book. She has survived to become her best self.” —Amazon review
“I’m fascinated by how many different ways one event can be seen and the far spreading, long reaching affects of that event. 9/11 changed all of us forever. Ginny’s perspective opens your eyes to people who were so deeply affected but, not given the care and compassion that was so openly and wholly given to the more obvious victims. This memoir also makes you think about the complete waste of time, resources and energy spent on ‘blame’. If more people passed on blame and pooled together for positive change we’d be so much better off as a society. Thank you for sharing your experience.” —Amazon review
“I was awed and inspired as well as deeply saddened by Virginia Buckingham’s honest and soul-searching memoir of her journey as head of Boston’s Logan Airport on the day the planes that toppled the Twin Towers left Logan Airport. In a political world, she was the perfect scapegoat for what went wrong in America that beautiful September morning. To read about the unjustified abuse that was directed toward this highly capable public servant was infuriating. Yet to watch how Ginny struggled and made it out of the morass that could easily have destroyed her emotionally and spiritually, never mind physically, was a true lesson in courage and family strength. Plus the book was exquisitely written, a pure pleasure to read despite its painful subject.” —Amazon review
“This is a well written memoir of Virginia’s struggle to remake her life after being wrongly blamed for the tragedy of 9/11. She is very honest about her professional and personal struggles. She discusses how therapy helped her to understand the effects of PTSD, and provided her with the tools to heal. Highly recommend, especially to anyone who has experienced a trauma in their life.” —Donna, Amazon review