Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives

Today Show cohost Kotb (Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee) tells the remarkable stories of six people who overcame trials and tragedies to become successful and happy individuals. A decade after the events that rocked their lives, Kotb interviewed each subject about how the passage of time had healed them and changed their perspective. Amy Barnes transformed herself from a 490-pound victim of domestic violence into a bodybuilding personal trainer and public speaker. Patrick Weiland, a television producer, spiraled out of control after he was diagnosed with HIV, and subsequently became addicted to crystal meth. But following the horrific murder of his sister and the realization that “he could not put his family through another catastrophic loss,” he resolved to turn his life around. Ron Clifford managed to escape the September 11 attacks only to learn that his sister, Ruth, and four-year-old niece, Juliana, had been on United Flight 175, the second plane to hit the towers. Ten years later, Clifford discusses coping with PTSD and finding closure after testifying against 9/11 mastermind Zacarias Moussaoui. Sobering and inspiring tales in their own right, Kotb’s journalistic acumen makes this collection all the more moving. Agent: Mel Berger, William Morris Endeavor. (Jan.)