Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

Okay, when I first bought this book, I began reading it and was disinterested, as was my mother, by the meteorological information. We'd both been reading historical nonfiction recently and were turned away by impersonal accounts and/or jargon we didn't understand.

Truth be told, we didn't bother to pass the first chapter.

I am SO GLAD I gave it another chance!!!

I saw the documentary of the same name on the History Channel, and bought that DVD, and then actually read the book - let me tell you, it is as compelling as any dramatic book I've ever read, and the stories are all true -

So if you start this book and become disenchanted at the first chapter or two, please hang in there, because it is an amazing literary feat to create such a true and compelling account of such an event, and Erik Larson did just that. I am forever a fan of his.

(I also highly recommend "The Great Deluge" by Douglas Brinkley...amazing!)

This books takes you right into the lives of the people of Galvanston. Great descriptions of the actual events at the time. A little less science and history of meteorology would have suited me but some may like the information.

There is no doubt Larson has written the definitive book on this subject for some time to come. As reviews on this site attest, there are few who will not find this a great read. What makes it so good? Larson's book makes a great story, is historical, and scientific.

First and foremost it's a great story, well written. The author describes the storm as 'an awakening of molecules' in the tropics. The reader, like the hurricane, moves closer and closer to the action, knowing the magnitude of what's about to happen. There is never a dull moment.

There is much history in this book as well. Larson describes other hurricanes and disasters, shedding light on the action in Galveston. He also gives us a good feel for the time period.

Though this is not a scientific text by any means, the basics of storms and weather are explained well, at a level of detail appropriate for a work of this kind. The end result is a book certain to be a classic, read for years to come.

I love Erik Larson's books so my bias is on the table. Again he has taught as well as entertained in this tragic story of misguided egos and overwhelming suffering at the hands of a hurricane in 1900 Galveston. The early weather service in the United States and their selfish interests in maintaining a public image at the cost of peoples lives is a bleak testimonial to the flaws in some people's ethics.
The description of the storm's power and the survival stories are amazing as well as those of the storm's aftermath make this a great read.

Eric Larson tells another interesting tale in his own way. I found the the portions about the US Weather Bureau a little to dry for my taste but they help tell the story in full. The story really picks up the pace as the monster storm nears landfall and the book quickly goes from slow paced to page turner. Overall a very interesting and sad story of a storm that all but wiped out Galveston, Texas.