Zeitoun Book Response

 

While reading Zeitoun I felt obligated to blog because felt the need to share this story with others. Zeitoun put his life at risk by staying in New Orleans, rather than leaving with his family. What I thought was interesting is that Zeitoun had the opportunity to leave town, but he decided to stay and watch after his property, business, home, and clients. “In New Orleans, Zeitoun was invigorated. He had never felt such urgency and purpose” (Zeitoun 116). After the storm hit and the majority of the physical damage was done, Zeitoun felt the need to help others in the community. Zeitoun felt the urge to get into his canoe and explore the city now under water. Zeitoun began helping others who were stranded in their house full of water, and because Zeitoun had a canoe he was able to hear the un-hearable citizens who were in danger. Zeitoun’s wife was completely against him staying home during the storm but, “His choice to stay in the city has been God’s will” (Zeitoun120). If Zeitoun hadn’t stayed home during the storm it is safe to say that others would have died because the National Guardsmen would not have gotten there in time, or because the people could not be heard over the loud fan boats. What amazed me was that during this dangerous time, Zeitoun never exchanged names with the other citizens who were with him, because they were that busy helping people. At the time their names, race, or religion did not matter, what did matter was getting the helpless people to safety. It amazes me, “That another ten thousand National Guardsmen were being sent to the region, about one-third of them directed to maintain order. There would soon be twenty-one thousand National Guard troops in the area, coming from all over the country. How could her husband be so calm when every branch of the armed forces was scrambling? (Zeitoun 115). It amazes me how that one man was able to save so many people, while the National Guardsmen maintained order. Zeitoun was able to do what the FEMA and other associations could not. He was able to get to the citizens who needed help, and turn a horrible situation into something positive. Even though New Orleans was destroyed Zeitoun, did not give up and hoped for the best in himself and others, and was able to save lives because of his outlook. “It was the very nature of this small, silent craft that allowed them to hear the quietest cries. The canoe was good, the silence was crucial” (Zeitoun 120). During these times Zeitoun wished he had a motorboat, but once he realized that the silence that came along with the canoe, he was thankful that he did not have a motorboat because he was able to hear the people who could not be heard. Zeitoun was able to help the citizens who could not be heard by the National Guardsmen or any other rescue group. It amazes me what one man was able to do in a situation like this one. This book is hard to put down once I start reading it, and I would recommend it to any one who is interested in Hurricane Katrina.