Isaac's Storm: A Man, A Time, And The Deadliest Hurricane In History
Staff Pick
Isaac's Storm
To my mind, well-written history often trumps fiction; the human imagination is no match for the baroque machinery of fate. Erik Larson writes compelling history. His talent lies in interweaving the general with the specific, building the characters and the scenes in which they move with equal meticulous skill. In this particular book, the history of meteorology and the science of storms are interwoven with the life story of Isaac Cline, assigned to be Galveston's chief meteorologist in 1889. Larson draws the portrait of a nascent National Weather Service beset by scandal, eager to prove its worth, and determined to avoid any hint of public panic. He traces the path of the storm across the Caribbean and shows how the hubris of the age--when nature was considered all but conquered--conspired with Cline's and the Weather Service's limitations to ensure that the storm hit Galveston on that fateful September day with very little warning. Larson unfolds the day itself, through the memories of Cline and other citizens, giving a vivid account of what it was like to survive the storm, and how it changed their lives, and Galveston, forever.
An account of the September 8, 1900 hurricane in Galveston, Texas, which killed more than six thousand people and is noted as the worst natural disaster in American history, is presented from the records of U.S. Weather Bureau meteorologist Isaac Cline. Reprint. 150,000 first printing.
- Condition: Used - GoodHPB condition ratings
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- Format: Paperback
- Sold by: HPB Round Rock
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- Language: English
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- ISBN-13: 9780375708275
- ISBN: 0375708278
- Publication Year: 2000
- New: Item is brand new, unused and unmarked, in flawless condition.
- Fine/Like New (F): Book may have been read. Looks new and has no defects. May show remainder marks. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
- Near Fine (NF): Clean, with no defects, but may show slight wear at edges of book or dust jacket. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
- Very Good (VG): Shows signs of wear. May have minor defects: clipped or chipped dust jacket; owner’s inscription; remainder mark; minor foxing or bumping. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
- Good (G): Average used book with all pages present. May have any of the defects above to a greater degree, including highlighting, library markings, or loose bindings. Rare and collectible books may have cocked spine, cracked hinges, water stains; torn or repaired dust jacket. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
- Fair (FR): May be very worn, soiled, torn, or barely holding together. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
- Poor (P): May have extensive damage from moisture or insects; detached boards; parts may be missing; marginally salable unless very unusual. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
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