Beauty beyond the Ashes: Choosing Hope after Crisis by Cheryl McGuinness (with Lois Rabey) is a memoir seeking to bring Christian perspective to a life and marriage that ended in tragedy. The author lost her husband, former Lieutenant Commander Tom McGuinness, when the American Airlines flight he co-piloted crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

The book opens with the reaction of Cheryl and their two children, Jennifer and Tommy, to the crushing news. The format of the book is confusing. Each chapter in the life of this family is followed by a section describing Christian spiritual principals to tie in to the preceding chapter. Starting with the religious rebirth of the author, her courtship by the man who would become her husband and spiritual partner, and their married life, the writing is cliché-filled and goes on long after a point has already been made.

The sincerity of the author is evident throughout, though, and at times she does connect with the ideas she wants to share, but the biblical quotes supporting her arguments, while appropriate, are oddly presented and may not be clear to someone who is unfamiliar with evangelical Christian doctrine. The most interesting points are in the Christian principle segments, when McGuinness speaks of personal experiences, especially after 9/11, and ties them directly into her faith. While the purpose of the book is to witness to all people, it will be more easily understood by readers who have a similar background.

Howard Publishing Company, 2004: ISBN 1582293899