The Terror Dream
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Susan Faludi |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
The Terror Dream: Fear and Fantasy in Post-9/11 America is a 2007 publication by Susan Faludi that contends the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 sparked a backlash against feminism. This work was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism in 2007.
Context
On September 11, 2001, 19 operatives connected to al-Qaeda commandeered four airplanes, carrying out suicide missions within the United States. Two aircraft struck the World Trade Center in New York City, one targeted the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and the last crashed in Pennsylvania. These attacks resulted in 2,753 fatalities, with men comprising three times as many victims as women. Faludi emphasizes the overwhelming volunteer efforts to aid those affected at the World Trade Center site, noting that only 291 intact bodies were retrieved from more than 21,700 recovered remains.
Synopsis
Faludi examines political discourse, media portrayal, and cultural shifts to argue that post-9/11 America reverted to conventional concepts of masculinity and gender roles. Drawing on anecdotal and qualitative data, she suggests that media narratives celebrated male heroes reminiscent of "John Wayne" archetypes—particularly New York firefighters—while sidelining female contributions. Coverage commonly referred to firefighters as firemen and omitted women from heroic depictions. For instance, men such as Todd Beamer aboard Flight 93 were widely hailed as heroes despite scant evidence of their actions, whereas flight attendant Sandra Bradshaw’s brave conduct received minimal recognition. Feminism was framed as unpatriotic, a notion bolstered by government messaging that highlighted American military men defending women both domestically and internationally. Additionally, prosecutions addressing gender discrimination in federal courts saw a marked decline.
Faludi further explores America's longstanding fascination with "damsel in distress" motifs. She analyzes the case of Jessica Lynch, initially portrayed as a resilient prisoner of war but later reimagined by the media as someone needing rescue. These narratives function to reinforce an image of American strength confronting external threats. According to Faludi, the events of 9/11 revived these deep-rooted myths, triggering a fearful regression toward traditional gender expectations.
Her conclusion calls for fostering an equitable society that values diversity and individual capabilities instead of adopting regressive ideologies.
Reception
The Terror Dream elicited varied critical responses. Olivia Barker from USA Today described it as "probing and provocative" but criticized Faludi for depending on indirect sources and failing to offer media subjects she scrutinized an opportunity to respond. Author Carol Anne Douglas remarked that the book "lacked an economic perspective." Professor Sarah Churchwell of the University of East Anglia commended Faludi’s thesis but accused her of exaggeration and mythmaking, deeming it "unnecessary."
New York Times critic Michiko Kakutani expressed strong disapproval, labeling it a "tendentious, self-important, sloppily reasoned book" that repurposed Faludi’s previous arguments through the lens of 9/11. Kakutani faulted Faludi for overlooking contradictory evidence while favoring anecdotal material, calling the work "ill conceived and poorly executed." Conversely, NY Times writer John Leonard offered a favorable assessment, highlighting Faludi’s thoroughness and skeptical approach.
In 2007, this book was recognized as a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism.