Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Rossana D’Antonio's 26 Seconds delivers a heartrending memoir that examines profound grief and the complex aftermath of a devastating plane crash that claimed her pilot brother Cesare’s life. This book explores personal loss and critiques the blame culture surrounding such tragedies, offering a deeper understanding of human factors and systemic failures in aviation accidents. The book is a touching tribute to lost lives and a call to action for change in how we perceive and investigate aviation accidents. It offers closure to the author and important insights for the industry and anyone who has faced or might face loss. This memoir makes a significant contribution to the discourse on grief, memory, and justice, reminding us of the human stories behind each headline.

Rossana D’Antonio’s 26 Seconds is a journey through her emotional and psychological landscapes as she grapples with the sudden loss. Her prose is clear and concise, capturing her inner turmoil and the strength needed to seek truth through overwhelming grief. The memoir centers on the 26 seconds of the crash, a brief yet transformative moment that changed her life. It's so moving and visual that I cried. D’Antonio’s precise writing humanizes her brother and the other victims, moving beyond mere statistics and headlines. She offers a compassionate look at Cesare’s life and career, countering the impersonal and often harsh judgments that can dominate such narratives. Her detailed descriptions of the crash investigation expose the complexities of aviation safety and the painful reality that, sometimes, understanding comes too late. D’Antonio challenges readers to consider the broader implications of blame and responsibility, presenting a compelling argument against the simplistic attribution of fault in aviation disasters. Her critique of the “old view” of human error provides insightful commentary on the need for more comprehensive safety and accident prevention approaches.