Closure: The Untold Story of the Ground Zero Recovery Mission

Lt. William Keegan never expected the horrific job he was about to be put in charge of, "Rescue and Recovery" of Ground Zero. Let me first commend your wife Karen and your three daughters Kristine, Tara, and Rory for the support and love they gave you every day. Without this it would have been an impossible task for you to handle Ground Zero. Your book gives me closure in many ways. There is not one person who can say they didn't know someone that was involved or perished on that sorrowful day. It enlightens me to see how the rescue and recovery was handled and shows how the departments of the PAPD, NYPD and FDNY finally realized that everyone was there for the same reason. Hopefully to find people still alive. In my opinion the book is fantastic and everyone should read it. It tells the details of how you looked in every area hoping to find someone to "Rescue or Recover". This book was written for everyone. Bill Keagan never gave up he was always there trying to bring closure for all the families involved. I'm sure the hardest part of 9-11 was when the rescuers would find a friend. But in the end they had "CLOSURE". Great Book. Totally enlighten me as to what the rescue workers went thru and how they survived during that time.

"Closure" is an emotional, informative, and ultimately fascinating account of the Ground Zero recovery efforts, led in part by Lt. William Keegan, the PAPD night commander of the recovery crew. Keegan offers an inside look at the countless obstacles and routine horror the crew encountered at the site on a daily basis, as well as the tolls such unwavering dedication and efforts would take on his family life. Keegan also discusses the NYC politics that came into play during these many months of recovery, which sometimes presented even more obstacles for Keegan and his guys. "Closure" is an emotional read but also an incredibly informative one, proving that after five years, there is still plenty to be learned about 9/11 and the Ground Zero recovery. As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I thought I had read or heard everything there was to know about 9/11 and the recovery. However, Keegan brings to light several facts I wasn't aware of, two of which have to do with the black boxes and the gold that was found. At times horrific and highly emotional but also incredibly informative and inspiring, "Closure" is a remarkable read.

Bill Keegan is a natural storyteller and, although, the tales he weaves together in CLOSURE are heartbreaking, they are an inspiring testament to the courage and resilience of ordinary human beings. As night commander of the clean up at Ground Zero, Bill Keegan's personal history and professionalism as a police officer for the Port Authority Police Department combined to make him the "right person for the right job." His harrowing tales of the nine months that he and his fellow comrades spent as rescue and recovery workers are softened by his insights, humor and compassion for all whose lives were destroyed or forever changed by 9/11. We are all better-informed and enlarged citizens by these stories that he so poignantly shares with his readers. Nan Penman 08/24/06

Closure by William Keegan takes us into the billowing clouds of rubble at Ground Zero, expressing the horror, but also linking us to the humanity of those who sacrificed so much during the recovery mission. In his book, the author gives facts about the struggles of individuals, families, and NYC Departments, but doesn't get mired down with blame. Instead, the PAPD Lieutenant focuses on the struggle, especially by his team, to make contributions to the effort, to figuratively and physically bear a heavy steel cross, and to finally get to some level of closure. The story is personal, uplifting, and extremely touching.

Without the human touch and sensitivity of the author, this unspeakable historical tragedy - sometimes unbearable, could not be told.