Larson should write textbooks. I would have learned so much more history if my textbooks had been written as well and had been as engaging -- even considering the grim subject matter -- as this book. Great work, Mr. Larson.
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Interesting story about Galveston hurricane in about 1900. Listened to it on audio tape. ( )

Meticulously researched and compellingly told, this book is an account of the hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas in 1900. As a child, I lived in Houston and took short beach vacations to Galveston. I had heard about this tragedy, so I was interested to find out the details of how a disaster of such magnitude had occurred with so little warning. The author has a way to bring what could easily be dry material to life in an engaging manner. I learned about the history of the weather service and more about how hurricanes develop. I recommend this book to those interested in meteorology, natural disasters, history or anyone who lives in areas prone to hurricanes. Even though hurricane tracking and warnings have improved dramatically since 1900, there is still much more to be learned, as we unfortunately found out with Hurricane Katrina. ( )

An early work that is not quite as polished as later works but rewarding for it's wealth of details. 3.75 rating ( )

The hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas, in September 1900 was deadly - more deadly than it had to be. The U.S. Weather Bureau was fighting an uphill battle to become a trusted source of weather news and predictions, and forecasters were strongly cautioned against using language (like "hurricane") that would panic the population - or make the weather bureau look foolish if the storm failed to materialize. Hubris caused a clash between experienced weather observers and forecasters in Cuba (at the Belen Observatory) and weather bureau employees, who disregarded - even suppressed - Cuban expertise, calling them emotional. This hubris resulted in devastating loss of life and the destruction of much of Galveston.

Front matter includes a map of the hurricane's path, with dates, and a street map of Galveston with some buildings identified. A third map of Galveston's location on the Texas coast would have been helpful, as well as a diagram of the hurricane, although good descriptions are given in the text.

Larson avoids lionizing Isaac Cline, nor does he place much blame at his feet.

https://rosenberg-library-museum.org/

Quotes

The experience [of living through a hurricane] had to have influenced [Isaac's] appraisal of the survivability of hurricanes. (75)

The Weather Bureau's reluctance to use words like "hurricane" and "cyclone" inadvertently reinforced the bravado of sea captains... (109)

Once again, [the bureau's forecasters] tailored fact to suit their expectations. (112)

In the absence of a body, there was always hope. (237)

...[Isaac] had not understood the signs of warning until too late. (248)

Few asked the obvious question: If the bureau had done such a great job, why did so many people die? (253)

People seemed to believe that technology had stripped hurricanes of their power to kill. No hurricane expert endorsed this view. (end of the 20th century, 272) ( )