Book Description

In 1906, after an earthquake wiped out much of San Francisco, leading California officials and scientists described the disaster as a one-time occurrence and assured the public that it had nothing to worry about. California Earthquakes explains how, over time, this attitude changed, and Californians came to accept earthquakes as a significant threat, as well as to understand how science and technology could reduce this threat.

Carl-Henry Geschwind tells the story of the small group of scientists and engineers who—in tension with real estate speculators and other pro-growth forces, private and public—developed the scientific and political infrastructure necessary to implement greater earthquake awareness. Through their political connections, these reformers succeeded in building a state apparatus in which regulators could work together with scientists and engineers to reduce earthquake hazards. Geschwind details the conflicts among scientists and engineers about how best to reduce these risks, and he outlines the dramatic twentieth-century advances in our understanding of earthquakes—their causes and how we can try to prepare for them.

Tracing the history of seismology and the rise of the regulatory state and of environmental awareness, California Earthquakes tells how earthquake-hazard management came about, why some groups assisted and others fought it, and how scientists and engineers helped shape it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Fascinating!
I've never been to San Francisco and read this book largely out of curiosity. But I found it fascinating...from the personal descriptions of so many who were there...to pictures depicting the devastation. Well researched and well written. ... Read more

Book Description

From the first earthquake David L. Ulin experienced in San Francisco at age eighteen, he was fascinated with the daily lives of Californians, who seem to be going about their business with just an occasional rumbling interruption. But these tectonic shifts could easily wreak cataclysmic havoc, just as they did in the great earthquake of 1906.

In The Myth of Solid Ground, Ulin explores how an unlikely collection of scientists, psychics, and apocalyptics have made startlingly accurate earthquake predictions based on everything from magnetic fields to the behavior of whales. In the end, Ulin uses the world of earthquake prediction to explore the deep fault lines of belief and the human longing to hold control, no matter how misguided, over a mysterious and deadly phenomenon that is as much a part of California as speed, youth, and celebrity. ... Read more

Book Description

Presenting a comprehensive introduction to the propagation of high-frequency body-waves in elastodynamics, this volume develops the theory of seismic wave propagation in acoustic, elastic and anisotropic media to allow seismic waves to be modelled in complex, realistic three-dimensional Earth models. The book is a text for graduate courses in theoretical seismology, and a reference for all academic and industrial seismologists using numerical modelling methods. Exercises and suggestions for further reading are included in each chapter. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A riveting, in-depth account
Full-color photographs and illustrations bring to life the scholarly yet vivid text comprising Vesuvius A.D. 79: The Destruction Of Pompeii And Herculaneum. by Ernesto De Carolis (Director of the Restoration Laboratories at the Archaeological Superintendency of Pompeii) and Giovanni Patricelli (vulcanologist and Vesuvius seismological topography expert) successfully collaborate to bring the reader a riveting, in-depth account of a terrible volcanic eruption that brought cataclysm to the people of ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum. Exploring in detail the events leading up to, during, and after the terrible eruption, Vesuvius A.D. 79 is a compelling and very highly recommended "window" into a unique and revealing event in the study of Roman history. ... Read more

Book Description

On November 1, 1755-All Saint's Day-a massive earthquake struck Europe's Iberian Peninsula and destroyed the city of Lisbon. Churches collapsed upon thousands of worshippers celebrating the holy day. Earthquakes in Human History tells the story of that calamity and other epic earthquakes. The authors, Jelle Zeilinga de Boer and Donald Theodore Sanders, recapture the power of their previous book, Volcanoes in Human History. They vividly explain the geological processes responsible for earthquakes, and they describe how these events have had long-lasting aftereffects on human societies and cultures. Their accounts are enlivened with quotations from contemporary literature and from later reports.

In the chaos following the Lisbon quake, government and church leaders vied for control. The Marqu-s de Pombal rose to power and became a virtual dictator. As a result, the Roman Catholic Jesuit Order lost much of its influence in Portugal. Voltaire wrote his satirical work Candide to refute the philosophy of "optimism," the belief that God had created a perfect world. And the 1755 earthquake sparked the search for a scientific understanding of natural disasters.

Ranging from an examination of temblors mentioned in the Bible, to a richly detailed account of the 1906 catastrophe in San Francisco, to Japan's Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, to the Peruvian earthquake in 1970 (the Western Hemisphere's greatest natural disaster), this book is an unequaled testament to a natural phenomenon that can be not only terrifying but also threatening to humankind's fragile existence, always at risk because of destructive powers beyond our control.

... Read more

Book Description

The San Andreas Fault is the most famous fault on Earth, runningnearly the entire length of western California from just north of the Mexicanborder to the Mendocino coast. It is a very active tectonic boundary whichdirectly affects the lives of more than twenty million people. The San AndreasFault has been responsible for shaping much that is beautiful about California,and it also has the capacity to destroy the communities that lie along itscourse. A Land in Motion provides a geologic tour of the San Andreas Fault in anaccessible narrative punctuated with dramatic color illustrations, livelyanecdotes, and authoritative information about earthquakes. As he tours the length of the fault, Michael Collier provides a valuableoverview of plate tectonics and gives a geologic history of the San AndreasFault written for non-scientists. He discusses the evolution of seismology as ascience and traces the knowledge that scientists have gleaned about earthquakesand plate tectonics from their work on the San Andreas Fault. Collier looks intohuman history as well, discussing major earthquakes that have hit the SanAndreas, including the famous San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the San Fernandoquake of 1971, the Loma Prieta quake of 1989, the Landers quake of 1992, andmany lesser temblors. Collier illustrates his text with magnificent photographs that highlight some ofthe most beloved landscapes in California. He provides excellent views of thefault throughout the stateof Crystal Springs reservoir near San Francisco, ofPinnacles National Monument east of Monterey, of the Golden Gate NationalRecreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco, and more. Collier concludes his tour of the San Andreas Fault with a provocativediscussion on earthquake prediction versus earthquake planning that allCaliforniansand all who live where earthquakes occurwill want to read. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A superb book about an awesome phenomenon
The San Andreas Fault traverses much of California from the Mexican border to far in the north. Those who have never seen it sometimes picture this tectonic feature as a lurking menace ready to swallow whole towns at a second's whim. This highly accurate book dispels such misimpressions and passes along a good deal of valid scientific information in an interesting, understandable way.

The book shows in colored diagrams and easily read narrative how plate tectonics has worked to create this piece of California that is moving inexorably northwest. The writers clearly explain how and why earthquake-producing stresses build up in and along the fault. Brief, but spectacular, histories show what happens when these stresses are released.

The book is exceptional in that it discusses rather esoteric scientific concepts in a non-patronizing way. The text is neither dry, nor overly simplistic. Any person with a limited scientific background and a high school education can grasp the concepts being examined.

The photographs of such things as offset streams, scarps, trees with interrupted growth, and sag ponds are carefully selected, and beautifully crafted. These follow the text well, avoiding the liability of having to probe through the book to match the picture with the explanation. They will call you to come to California.

Two excellent features are discussion segments with geologists who work on solving the fault's mysteries, and a section on parklands in which San Andreas Fault features may be found.

I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone planning a trip to California, anyone who has an interest in the Earth and its processes, and anyone who just likes a darn good read.

great pictures
Nice book. Fast reading. Excellent pictures. This book really hits home for Californians. Decent explanation of how the earth is moving.

This book rocks!
Michael Collier has beautifully written and photographed the geological history of the San Andreas Fault. In what COULD have been an extremely dry subject he has captured my imagination with the most gorgeous photos and his plain-speaking explanations of geology. It's literally a page turner, too, with the flip-page diagram, showing the movement of the tectonic plates. A beautiful book worthy of the coffee table and a wonderful addition to my reference library. ... Read more

Book Description

Volcanoes describes in stunning detail 100 active volcanoes around the planet. Every entry describes the principal characteristics of the volcano, such as the geodynamic environment leading to its formation, its structure, special features, morphology, its method of eruption, and the materials erupted. There are also traveler's directions for reaching each volcano.

The word volcano usually evokes images of cone-shaped mountains with smooth, steep slopes and a plume of smoke rising skyward. This, however, is only one of the five types of volcanoes. In this comprehensive guide, readers will learn about these basic types:

- Island-Arc volcanoes (Alaska, Japan and Indonesia)
- Hot-Spot volcanoes (Hawaii)
- Ocean-Ridge volcanoes (Iceland)
- Continental-Margin volcanoes (North America and the Andes)
- Continental-Rift volcanoes (eastern Africa)

Written and illustrated by experts in the field, Volcanoes will appeal to readers interested in science and natural history; travelers to regions of volcanic activity; students; and inhabitants of areas exposed to volcanic eruptions.

The book also addresses predicting eruptions and how to minimize the risks posed by them. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Stunning and beautiful; everything you always wanted to know
This a beautifully printed little book, loaded with jaw-dropping, high-resolution photographs and diagrams in stunning color. The first part of the book covers the science of volcanism, and the second part (consisting about 80% of the book) is something I have always wanted: a survey of all the great volcanoes of the world, each illustrated with beautiful photographs and diagrams. The lattitude and longitude as well as the elevation of each volcano is given, followed by the specification of the volcano type, a geological history of the volcano, and a description of access and principal attractions. You're not going to believe the variety of colors and types of volcanoes photographed in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

There is emerging interest among researchers from various subject areas in understanding the interplay of earthquake and volcanic occurrences, archaeology and history through the discipline of archaeoseismology. This book focuses on the historical earthquakes of North and South America, and describes the effects of those earthquakes, using illustrated examples of recent structural damage at archaeological sites. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first book to really make sense of the dizzying array of information that has emerged in recent decades about earthquakes. Susan Hough, a research seismologist in one of North America's most active earthquake zones and an expert at communicating this complex science to the public, separates fact from fiction. She fills in many of the blanks that remained after plate tectonics theory, in the 1960s, first gave us a rough idea of just what earthquakes are about. How do earthquakes start? How do they stop? Do earthquakes occur at regular intervals on faults? If not, why not? Are earthquakes predictable? How hard will the ground shake following an earthquake of a given magnitude? How does one quantify future seismic hazard?

As Hough recounts in brisk, jargon-free prose, improvements in earthquake recording capability in the 1960s and 1970s set the stage for a period of rapid development in earthquake science. Although some formidable enigmas have remained, much has been learned on critical issues such as earthquake prediction, seismic hazard assessment, and ground motion prediction. This book addresses those issues.

Because earthquake science is so new, it has rarely been presented outside of technical journals that are all but opaque to nonspecialists. Earthshaking Science changes all this. It tackles the issues at the forefront of modern seismology in a way most readers can understand. In it, an expert conveys not only the facts, but the passion and excitement associated with research at the frontiers of this fascinating field. Hough proves, beyond a doubt, that this passion and excitement is more accessible than one might think. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I agree, except.....
I agree with all of the above reviews of this book, Earthshaking Science: What We Know, and Don't Know, About Earthquakes by Susan Elizabeth Hough. It is an excellent summary of the many recent advances in seismology and is pertinent to all parts of the U.S. (even the world). However, I must strongly disagree that this book is "jargon-free." The book is loaded with the jargon of seismology (not as much as a seismology textbook). This is okay because in order to be scientifically literate, the public (especially the media!) must learn to understand some of the vocabulary of science. There are very few mathematical formulas in this book, but when they are used they are used effectively.
This book will be a fun read for people that have some scientific (especially earth sciences) background. Those with little or no science background will find this a challenging, but rewarding, read. Anyone living in earthquake-prone regions of the world must read this book.

Earthshaking Science
Earthshaking Science: What We Know (and Don't Know) about Earthquakes written by Susan Elizabeth Hough os a book that tackles the issues at the forefront of modern seismology.

Although earthquarkes have been around for eons, the science of measuring the ground motion has been really around for a few decades. Most of the information about earthquakes has been excellerated by the improvements in earthquake recording capability. This book has a straight forward approach in describing what happens durning and the causal effects of what is entailed by a tectonic event.

This book on seismology addresses earthquake prediction, seismic hazard assessment along with ground motion, magnitude and how earthquakes start. I found this book to be very readable and understandable. Since the science of seismology is so new, not much information is available outside the technical journals, but now in this book the layperson can understand the dynamics of this science.

The book has only seven chapters, but each of them when finished will impart a knowledge of seismology to the reader that you could only piecemeal before. If you want to understand why earthquakes happen where they do, then this is your book.

This book is jargon-free and the author communicates very well to the reader about a complex science in terms that are easily understood. I recommend reading this book if you want to know why the earth shakes, raddles and rolls.

Rock And Roll!!!
I live in Whittier, California and get to fill out "Did you feel it?" reports on the USGS web site several times a year. As a resident of the earthquake laboratory we call southern California, it's obvious that I should keep abreast of the latest news from the seismology labs. But what about folks in New York, NY? Or Memphis, TN? Or Charleston, SC? Earthquakes don't happen in the eastern United States...do they? Actually, not only do they happen in the eastern US, but a large earthquake in the eastern US today would probably make Loma Prieta or Northridge look like practice runs. Look around your neighborhood and the area where you work. Do you see any unreinforced brick buildings? If I have your attention and you're curious about the latest information about earthquakes, I highly recommend Susan Hough's Earthshaking Science.

Earthshaking Science is a tour to the edge of the scarp of what we do know [and what we'd like to know] about earthquakes. It is NOT a comprehensive guide to earthquakes and plate tectonics. If you're looking for the basic textbook version, try Earthquakes by Bruce Bolt or Living With Earthquakes In California by Robert Yeats. Hough takes off from the basic textbook knowledge of earthquakes and takes the reader to the edges of seismology. She covers everything from studies of ground response to the fledgling science of paleoseismology. She apologizes for a California focus, but she does quite a bit on earthquake dangers in other parts of the United States. I would recommend that potential readers have a basic background in science. If you dream of short term earthquake prediction, this book isn't the good news you've been looking for.

Whether you've read every book on earthquakes or you're a scientifically literate person who has little experience with seismology, I highly recommend Earthquaking Science by Susan Hough.

readable in a journalistic style
Dr. Hough's new book is very readable in a journalistic style, like a set of Scientific American articles, or the NY Times Sunday magazine. There is little jargon and almost no equations to slow down the reader. That makes it suitable for the general public or high school to early college textbook. But it is a little lightweight to be an advanced seismology textbook or reference work.

The first several chapters of the book explain plate tectonics and basic seismology. Then there are some very good descriptions of the state of earthquake prediction and of how the national seismic hazard maps were compiled. These are probably the best current descriptions of these topics in the general science literature and a reason to read this this book. This book also brings seismology into the 21st century, incorporating lessons from large 1990s US quakes and current seismic research.

In some respects the material resembles another journalistic seismology book "The Earth in Turmoil" by her across-the-street colleagues Dr. Sieh (with LeVay). Hough's book progresses in topical order, while Sieh's visits ten geologically active areas in North America. Hough's is slanted more on seismology and the hazards mitigation efforts of the US Geological Survey. Sieh's is slanted more geology and his specialty of understanding pre-historic quakes. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1935, Nikola Tesla revealed that an earthquake in theregion of his New York laboratory in 1898 was the result of a machine hehad been experimenting with. This book presents his technology based onsonic vibrations. Now for the first time the secrets of the TeslaOscillator are available to both the layman and advanced researcher. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Didn't Read it, but I have some opinions here
I actually created several small earthquakes with this book. I basically just whacked it against the table repeatedly, and stuff just kept jumping up every time I hit it. I was also responsible for the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. For that one, I used a Steven King book. I whacked it alot then, too.

I would have given this book six stars or more, but I could only give it five. I have a real problem with Amazon because of that. Some things merit a great deal more stars than you're able to give them.

Where is the real information?
Upon discovering there was actually a book on this subject, Tesla's famous earthquake machine; I was amazed. Tesla is my favorite inventor and I have been interested in building his device for years. But I was sadly disappointed when I read this book. The stories and information are repeated multiple times throughout the book, the instructions are only really a set of diagrams, and overall - this book was a complete letdown. Hopefully someone will someday redeem this poor account for Tesla's technology.

Some good info but misleading title.
The first part of the book covers Tesla's mechanical oscillator (principle of operation, etc.). Later, a series of blueprints are presented to detail the construction of a small oscillator. A knowledgable person with access to machining equipment should be able to construct one with the information provided. It will not, however, guide you through the proccess! It simply presents the "bare bones" info. After that, the book strays from its title. There is some rather strange talk about alternative religion and some Zen philosophy stuff. Then, were shown text and construction info for some other neat devices (heat pump, motors, etc.). Anyone who enjoys science or wants to build an "Earthquake Machine" will probably be satisfied with the content. Be prepared for some of the off topic discussion though.

Adam Parker

Some good info but strays of topic.
There is some good info in the book, like how to construct the oscalator, and a related heat pump. However, the problem is, you have to dig somewhat to find it. I was under the impression that it would focus on classical vibrations and resonance, but it was mostly ZPE related SVP stuff. I don't have anything against that sort of thing, but it seems to me that the title was missleading. Instead of some additional construction tips for the tesla oscalator, for instance, it instead talked about circular waves collecting ZPE. Make sure you already have SVP and ZPE refrences availible to you if you want this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Whenever a volcano threatens to erupt, scientists and adventurers from around the world flock to the site in response to the irresistible allure of one of nature's most dangerous and unpredictable phenomena. In a unique book probing the science and mystery of these fiery features, the authors chronicle not only their geologic behavior but also their profound effect on human life. From Mount Vesuvius to Mount St. Helens, the book covers the surprisingly large variety of volcanoes, the subtle to conspicuous signs preceding their eruptions, and their far-reaching atmospheric consequences. Here scientific facts take on a very human dimension, as the authors draw upon actual encounters with volcanoes, often through firsthand accounts of those who have witnessed eruptions and miraculously survived the aftermath.

The book begins with a description of the lethal May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens--complete with an explanation of how safety officials and scientists tried to predict events, and how unsuspecting campers and loggers miles away struggled against terrifying blasts of ash, stone, and heat. The story moves quickly to the ways volcanoes have enhanced our lives, creating mineral-rich land, clean thermal energy, and haunting landscapes that in turn benefit agriculture, recreation, mining, and commerce. Religion and psychology embroider the account, as the authors explore the impact of volcanoes on the human psyche through tales of the capricious volcano gods and attempts to appease them, ranging from simple homage to horrific ritual sacrifice.

Volcanoes concludes by assisting readers in experiencing these geological phenomena for themselves. An unprecedented "tourist guide to volcanoes" outlines over forty sites throughout the world. Not only will travelers find information on where to go and how to get there, they will also learn what precautions to take at each volcano. Tourists, amateur naturalists, and armchair travelers alike will find their scientific curiosity whetted by this informative and entertaining book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A most excellent book on volcanoes
I recommend this book most highly. It is well-organized, easily read by anyone with a high school education and a limited scientific background, and all-encompassing on the subject of volcanoes. The latest developments in volcanic petrology, pyroclastic flow study, caldera formation, supervolcanic eruptions and their horrific consequences, and the like are superbly covered. Additionally, the book contains excellent narratives of nearly all significant late 20th Century eruptions, such as Pinatubo, El Chichon, St. Helens, and Paricutin. The research is copious, and the results highly accurate.

The book has been well-proofed, with the pleasurable consequence that distortive prose, inaccurate figures, and like blips are virtually non-existent. A fellow reviewer has stated that plate tectonics is not well-covered, but this writer's view is that the scope of the book lies beyond such basics. Anyone unfamiliar with basic volcanological concepts should first read "Teach Yourself Volcanoes", and then move into this book.

Again, I enjoyed this book to the hilt, and would prize it above most other books on the subject. I strongly believe it is the best non-technical book on the subject.

one thumb up, one thumb down
I found that this book has some positives and negatives: Positives: 1. the authors have compiled a wealth of information about volcanoes all over the world: Mt. St. Helens catastrophe, planes flying over eruption clouds, eruption accounts from Krakatua, etc, etc. 2. For a geologist like me, when we study about volcanoes, we tend to forget the human factor, not only hazards, but also how it affects agriculture, tourism, etc. Which I think this book pinpoints very well. Negatives: 1. The book doesn't flow: lots of information, but in my opinion disorganized. Except for the chapter about Mt. St. Helens, I didn't understand the point that the authors were trying to make (or probably there was no point, and it was just a plain description). 2. Any time you touch a scientific subject, you are immersed in having to use scientific terms. Since this book is trying to reach a general audience (I think), it will benefit a lot by having a glossary. 3. Some chapters are really weak, like the one that talks about plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is the driving force of volcanoes (mostly) and should have more emphasis on the book, and be explained in more simple terms. 4. The decimal metric system is used throughout the book. This is good when you are writing a paper to publish on a specialized journal, but not for a book aimed at general audiences. The equivalence in the English system should probably go in parentheses.

Neither too little or too much
Neither too little or too much, Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change is the best volume I have ever read on Volcanology. Written for the intelligent layperson, the book never talks down to its reader or loses them in mult-semicolon sentances of unintelligble jargon as so many other books by scientists do. If you want the latest theories on volcanoes, this is th book for you. I was especially surprised by how many dormant/active volcanoes there are in the lower 48. And as one who has flown from the U.S. to Japan, the chapter on planes and volcanoes was both fascinating and scary.

Great Book
A brilliant book for any volcanoholic. I am a geology student hoping to proceed to volcanology, and thoroughly enjoyed this book just for the sake of a good read on a great subject.

A terrific book about volcanoes and people.
This book is enjoyable to read: a great narrative that covers a wide range of topics about volcanoes: famous eruptions, effects on climate, how they provide resources, how they can adversely affect us, and more. The text has a lot of depth, but is cohesive and flows well. The diagrams are nicely done too. At the end of the book, the reader finds many helpful resources for volcano tourism. ... Read more

Book Description

On the morning of April 18, 1906, an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale ripped through sleeping San Francisco. At the Palace Hotel, opera star Enrico Caruso fled, half dressed, into the street; John Barrymore searched through the chaos for a bar where he could get a whiskey; orphans screamed for parents crushed to death in their beds. Drawing on contemporary reports and eye-witness accounts, Dan Kurzman captures the fear and madness that raged through a city reduced to rubble. But in this breathtaking pastiche of real-life tragedies, the author also records acts of extraordinary courage. As many as 10,000 people died in the quake and fires that followed, yet the rugged populace refused to quit the city, vowing instead to resurrect it from the ashes. Now, the past comes alive again in this unforgettable history, a masterful account of nature at its worst...and indomitable American spirit at its best.

Reviews (14)

Informative but not Compelling
"Disaster" was a disappointment for me, mainly because I'd greatly enjoyed two of author Dan Krzman's previous books, "Fatal Voyage," and "Left to Die," about the U.S.S. Indianapolis and U.S.S. Juneau disasters, respectively. Those books, in addition to being informative history, tell great stories. Alas, "Disatser" makes a similar attempt in the storytelling department but fails. The book contains plenty of facts and first hand accounts of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, but it is strangely disjointed. There are so many stories of numerous survivors interwoven together that individually they are hard to follow. And since the book checks in at a fairly brief 256 pages of text, each snippet of each story usually gets only a couple of paragraphs before moving on. Together, the stories blend into a rather shapeless mass that all start to sound alike. Kurzman would have been better served to tell his story from the larger perspective and using individual stories where they fit in. This approach served David McCullough extremely well in his excellnt "The Johnstown Flood," which serves as the ideal model for this type of book.

Overall, if you are interested in the subject matter or are a disaster buff, this book should be worthwhile with the above caveats. If you are a casual reader, you may want to consider taking a pass on this one.

"A blazing red. . . a hot red, a consuming red"
Disaster! is a well-written, fast-moving look at the experience of many lives (famous and otherwise) in the face of one of the greatest disasters in U.S. history. The book looks at the unconventional frontier spirit of California's greatest city of the time, spoiled by the graft and corruption of past business and political figures and the current administration of Mayor Schmitz and city boss Abraham Reuf, and tarnished in reputation by the red light districts of Barbary Coast among others, yet loved dearly by most of its residents. It would burn for 74 hours and then, after it burned itself out, mercilessly came the rain. The spirit of optimism was shaken by the experience, but was definitely not destroyed as the city celebrated its rebuilding only nine years later.

The book reveals the good and the bad brought out of people by the disaster. As one witness stated, "I had a Catholic Priest kneel by me in the park...and prayed to the holy Father for relief for my pain and ease to my body. I saw a poor woman, barefoot, told to 'Go to Hell and be glad of it,' for asking for a glass of milk at a dairyman's wagon; she had in her arms a baby with its legs broken" (pg. 149). In many cases, the primitive frontier life returned to the Bay just following the quake. Some militiamen took Mayor Schmitz's proclamation that looters should be shot on sight to the extreme, killing many civilians for trivial matters. In other cases, neighbors of different ethnic and social groups came together-made equal by their loss. One survivor's memory of a free spree at a candy store before it was to be dynamited in an attempt to stop the fire's path carried with him eighty years (pg. 138).

The people whose stories are told include a 10-year old future Major League pitcher who searches frantically for the love of his life; a couple separated and presumed dead by neighbors yet never giving up the search for each other; another couple who insisted on going ahead with their wedding plans despite the chaos around them; the renown prima donna tenor Enrico Caruso who thought he had avoided disaster by postponing plans to go to Naples just before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius; Mayor Schmitz who the very day of the earthquake was to go to a hearing for a case of corruption against him; the head of the Bank of Italy (later the Bank of America) risking life and limb to save his customer's deposits from his doomed building-the list goes on.

The stories are told sporadically in 41 short chapters (some as short as three pages). Some of the stories are almost too spread out. The story of actor John Barrymore's experience, for example, was introduced on page 13 and did not continue until page 166. This style makes it a little difficult to follow at times, but I think it is still better than completing one story and then moving on to the next making the book painfully redundant. Each story is unique enough to jog the memory after a few lines. The book has source notes, a list of people whose experiences are described, a map of the San Francisco area, and a lengthy bibliography. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

An Interesting, Anecdotal History
"Disaster!" is an interesting, anecdotal account of the lives of those who lived through the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. The characters are many, both major an minor. After all of the attention to the September 11 attacks, it is worthwhile to step back and take a look at a natural, and even more destructive, disaster.

Among the major characters are Mayor Eugene Schmitz, Gen. Franklin Funston and Acting Fire Chief John Dougherty.

Mayor Eugene Schmitz was a former concert violinist and concert conductor who had come to power at the head of the Union Labor Party. Although committed to the promotion of the cause of Labor, he used his power to direct graft to himself and his friends. In the earthquake he saw an opportunity to win support which might keep him out of a well deserved prison term.

Gen. Franklin Funston, deputy commander of the army garrison at the Presidio, ordered his troops into the city to render assistance and to restore order. By force of his troops, Funston became, for a few days, the virtual dictator of San Francisco.

Assistant Fire Chief John Dougherty succeeded to the head of the SFFD upon the death of Chief Dennis Sullivan early in the crisis. It was he who rallied the fire fighters through the four days of seemingly hopeless struggle against the all consuming fire.

Amadeo Peter Gianini, founder of the Bank of Italy, which would, in time, become the current Bank of America, assured his place in history and the future of the Bank, by moving the vault contents to his home before the bank was destroyed by the fire.

Although the earthquake did much of the damage, even more was done by the resulting fires. Fires started by upset stoves and broken gas pipes spread and merged until most of the city was in ashes. Hampered by lack of water due to water mains broken by the fire, the heroic fire department had little other than dynamite with which to fight the fire until its progress toward the shoreline and the arrival of naval fire fighting vessels made brine available.

Police and troops used force and coercion to obtain the labor necessary to clear debris and render aid. Unfortunately, the troops also shot many innocent citizens and helped themselves to a liberal share of the booty.

Most of all, "Disaster!" is the story of people, ordinary or famous, who made their way through the chaos. The strong point of this book is less the revelation of a unified story than the interweaving of a collection of individual anecdotes. Enrico Caruso had canceled a performance in Naples due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, only to perform in San Francisco the night before the earthquake. San Franciscans fled their homes, married and gave birth and did so many other things while their world crashed around them. Ultimately, San Francisco survived and rose like the Phoenix to create a city greater than any they had enjoyed before. Read, enjoy and be inspired.

Earthquake, Wind And Fire...
The format that Mr. Kurzman chose for this book works very well. The book is only about 250 pages long and is divided into 41 brief chapters. Mr. Kurzman darts back and forth, telling you about what is happening to various people that he has chosen to zero in on. For the most part, these are "just common people" but he also tells you about Enrico Caruso and John Barrymore, who happened to be in the city at the time of the earthquake and fire. Caruso and Barrymore actually provide some comic relief from the tragic events described throughout most of the book. Caruso was supposed to have gone to Naples to perform, but went to San Francisco with the Metropolitan Opera Company instead. He had heard frightening tales about the "wild west" and so he bought a gun, learned how to use it, and kept it concealed under his clothing- "just in case"! Mount Vesuvius erupted at this time and Caruso thanked his lucky stars that he had chosen to go to San Francisco instead....well, he thanked his lucky stars for awhile, anyway. Barrymore had signed on to make a theatrical tour of Australia. After he thought about it, he regretted this decision and even after the earthquake hit he spent most of his time hoping he'd miss the boat to Australia. But, again, the book mostly describes the destruction of property and the loss of lives that accompanied the earthquake and fire. The rapid cutting from chapter to chapter effectively recreates the confusion and panic that enveloped the city. Mr. Kurzman widens the scope of the book to include information about political corruption, which contributed to the devastation. For example, the chief of the fire department had been pushing for new equipment but the mayor wasn't interested in spending money on something that couldn't provide him with kickbacks. Additionally, construction contractors tried to cut corners by using substandard mortar, which increased the number of buildings that just disintegrated during the earthquake. Mr. Kurzman writes about the people who charged vastly inflated prices for food and transportation during the crisis, and he also reports on the members of the militia who looted and even murdered when they were supposed to be upholding the law. Desperate homeowners, who knew that insurance wouldn't cover damage caused by earthquakes, set fire to their own homes when they began to be fear that Mother Nature wouldn't do the job herself. One image that has remained with me is of the 3 story hotel that collapsed into a huge crack in the street. The bottom 2 stories wound up underground and many people drowned in the water pouring out of broken water mains. Only the people on the 3rd floor, now at street level, could crawl to safety. Despite advances in construction and fire prevention and containment, could anything nearly this bad ever happen again? Unfortunately, we may find out. Mr. Kurzman quotes geologists who estimate that a quake of this magnitude could be expected to occur in the SF Bay area approximately every 60-100 years. 2006 will be the 100th anniversary of the great fire and quake...

Close but no Cigar
This book could have been a masterpiece. Parts of the book portray the compelling human drama of the San Francisco earthquake and fire as if you were there. Other parts are disjointed and confusing. The problem is that the author is unable to connect these seemingly random human events into a coherent whole. In all fairness, perhaps this is impossible to do given the complexity of the event. It doesn't help, however, that the author completely gets the geology of the earthquake wrong at the very beginning of the book. In spite of all these criticisms, this book is worth reading. In several chapters, the author accomplishes the impossible. He is able to describe the experiences of individuals, combine them to make a convincing whole, and make you feel as if you were there! If only the whole book could have been like that. ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you're searching for a family hot springs resort or an isolated natural soaking pool, Touring Washington and Oregon Hot Springs will guide you to a truly memorable geothermal experience. Thirty-three of the best hot springs in the Pacific Northwest are profiled here. You can relax in the steamy pools at Sol Duc Hot Springs, nestled in the Northern Hemisphere's only temperate rain forest, soak in splendid isolation surrounded by endless sagebrush prairie at Willow Creek Hot Springs in southeastern Oregon, or enjoy a healing mud bath on the shores of mineral-rich Soap Lake in central Washington.Inside you'll find: descriptions of each soaking location; easy-to-read maps and clear directions; suggestions for the best times to visit; historical information on the area. (6 x 9, 224 pages, b&w pages, maps) ... Read more

Book Description

Bridging the gap between introductory textbooks and advanced monographs, this book provides the necessary mathematical tools to tackle seismological problems and demonstrates how to apply them. Including student exercises, for which solutions are available on a dedicated website, it appeals to advanced undergraduate and graduate students. It is also a useful reference volume for researchers wishing to "brush up" on fundamentals before they study more advanced topics in seismology. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Enthralling, Captivating, Dramatic & Historical Accounting
Dr. Zabrowski paints a compelling picture that encompasses the policical, economic, cultural and social life and times of St. Pierre and Martinique a century ago. This amazing scientific book captures the reader much as you might expect of an intrieguing substantative novel. One's fund of knowledge is easily and enjoyablly advanced with regard to natural disasters, human behavior, history, etc. The scope of his research left no stone unturned to the point that one can almost imagine walking along the cobble stone streets in the St. Pierre of yesterday. Thunderous Mt. Pelee as well as the people and political characters come alive in living color. This author's ability to captivate is unequalled as he recounts scientifically and with historical accuracy these century old events. This would make a good movie. I will eagerly await more from Dr. Ernest Zebrowski.

zebrowski does not ignore the human side
perhaps the debate "is zebrowski's book a scientific account or a novel?" is best understood when we look at a simple fact: it has a human side. no writing can be strictly an "account" if it takes on the brutal task of touching on not just the facts but the sociological effects of such a disaster, as zebrowski's story does. and the humanization of a scientific fact of life is not a fault.

a novel or an account... why can't it be both? after all, what is a great story if not a wonderful descripton of a point in time, with characters and dialogue-and truth, at that.

and spelling geographical terms in a different way than we are used to is not a "liberty," it is a choice.

this is a truly phenomenal book. dr. zebrowski is clearly a scientist-and a writer.

A Year on Bald Mountain
On the morning of May 8, 1902, a massive pyroclastic flow surged down the flank of Mt Pelee on the island of Martinique in the French West Indies. The searing cloud slammed into the city of St Pierre; within two minutes, the city was a pile of smoking rubble and 30,000 people were dead.

Asked to name the greatest volcanic disasters in history, most people would probably offer up Mt Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum; they might also volunteer the explosion of Krakatoa or the even more recent eruption of Mt. St Helens. Mt Pelee and St Pierre are usually only vaguely recalled, which is remakable given the sheer size of the human tragedy.

Zebrowski's book does a marvelous job of taking the reader back to 1902, when scientists understood far less than they do now about what volcanos can do. The series of eruptions at Mt Pelee were triggered by the rise of a huge bulge of magma from the subduction zone beneath the Lesser Antilles. These forces set off Mt La Soufriere on the island of St Vincent, where pyroclastic flows and lahars killed two thousand people the day before St Pierre was destroyed; the rising magma also erupted in an undersea volcano at a spot called Kick 'em Jenny.

Zebrowski describes the weeks leading to the eruption of Mt Pelee and how the local inhabitants and French bureacracy struggled to understand what they were up against. The blame for the disaster is often laid at the feet of Louis Mouttet, the governor of Martinique, but it is difficult to imagine what else he could have done. At the time, scientists thought of volcanic eruptions in terms of slow moving rivers of lava rather than swift and deadly pyrolastic flows and lahars. If Mouttet had tried to evacuate St. Pierre, he would have had very little support; even if he had succeeded, he would have created an enormous refugee crisis.

Zebrowski explains what life in St Pierre was like before the disaster, how Martinique's inhabitants coped with the increasingly dangerous volcano in their midst, what happened to the city and its people when the volcano erupted and afterward, how the French government handled (or failed to handle) the aftermath of the disaster, and how a courageous group of scientists and journalists explored the still-erupting volcano to understand what had happened. Zebrowski has chosen a rich canvas for a gripping tale, and he makes the most of it in this well-written book.

Buy & Read this Book!!!!
An exceptionally well written and documented book. Previously I had read accounts of this disaster, but none had the depth of Dr. Zebrowski's book on the total destruction of the city of St. Pierre and devastation of much of the Islands of Martinique and St. Vincent. He covers the human side of this tragedy with accuracy and compassion. Zebrowski has drawn from many sources and put the accumulated information into a very readable book. Anyone who likes to read about historical/scientific events should enjoy "The Last Days of St. Pierre".

Enthralling
I recently read Simon Winchester's "Krakatoa", and it put me to sleep. But here is a fascinating nonfiction book on a similar subject--a historic volcanic disaster--that doesn't seem to have gotten much promotion from its publisher, yet has all the elements that enthrall the reader-- tension, character development, suspense, surprise, substance... leading the reader to often gaze up at the ceiling and say "hmmm..."

The author has done a marvelous job of bringing alive characters that have been dead for a century. Fundamentally, however, this book is about ignorance-- how a lack of knowledge of natural geological processes led to some egregiously erroneous political decisions that sealed the terrible fate of 30,000 humans on the island of Martinique in 1902.

The author, however, does not insult the reader's intelligence, and your conclusions from this fascinating book will be your own. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

History, travel writing, and human tragedy collide in a heart-stopping work of narrative nonfiction.

On May 8th, 1902, Mont Pelée in Saint-Pierre, Martinique, erupted, killing almost 30,000 people instantly and completely destroying the city known as the Paris of the Caribbean. It was a spectacular, biblical, horrifying disaster, without a doubt the most sensational event of its time. Days later, rescue teams heard cries from the rubble and uncovered Ludger Sylbaris, a twenty-seven-year-old laborer who had spent the night of the eruption in jail for his involvement in a bar fight and turned out to be-against all odds-the only known survivor.He was soon world famous, traveling across America as part of Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth.

Using written eyewitness accounts and historical research, Peter Morgan spins this tale and more into a spellbinding narrative. Framed by Martinique's painful history, the disaster reveals layer upon layer of corruption: a French governor more concerned with public image than the safety of his fellow islanders, the moral conflict of a scientist who knew the risks but was told to keep them quiet, and the tangle of colonial attitudes that ultimately caused the death of thousands.

With deft, literary strokes, in a book rich in detail, Peter Morgan delivers all the political intrigue, drama, heroism, and villainy of the greatest suspense novel - and every word is true.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Beautiful Place
I read this book in two sittings,barely able to put it down. Peter Morgan's description of the ill-fated Saint Pierre painted pictures in my mind. The horror of that fateful day in 1902 I felt was portrayed in an honest yet respectful manner. The only thing I was disapointed with was that there wasn't as much information on Ludger Sylbaris as I had anticipated. Despite this I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in history or volcanoes.

The Lonliest Survivor
"Science, history and human tragedy collide in a heart-stopping tale of natural catastrophe." - from the dust jacket.

Author Peter Morgan makes a canny choice in his book "Fire Mountain" by focusing on the life of the single survivor of the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee in Martinique in 1902 that completely destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre. By telling the story of the incredible survival of Ludger Sylbaris and his subsequent career as a sideshow oddity in the Barnum & Bailey circus, Morgan warmly humanizes what otherwie would have just been another run-of-the-mill disaster story.

Morgan carefully reconstructs the events leading up to the destruction of Saint-Pierre, describing the city and the colorful personalities in what was then a French colonial town. Called the "Paris of the Caribbean," it was caught totally unprepared when Pelee began erupting a few months before the final disaster. The residents convinced themselves that they were far enough away to be safe before the mountain exploded in much the same manner as Mount St. Helens, utterly erasing the city from the map.

In the aftermath, resucuers picking over the rubble made a startling discovery. Ludger Sylbaris somehow managed to survive the disaster in a solitary confinement cell in the local jail. Though horribly burned, he became an instant celebrity. When Barnum & Bailey made him a part of the so-called "Greatest Show on Earth," he became the first black man ever to grace the stage of the segregated show.

Morgan is an excellent histroian and a good storyteller, and the book contains numerous photographs and illustrations to help the reader. At just over 230 pages of narrative, this is a highly readable and very enjoyable work. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A fascinating geologic history
Stephen Harris' Fire Mountains Of The West provides a fascinating geologic history of the Cascade and Mono Lake volcanoes of California. One might anticipate a technical discourse involving many geological facts: think again: this title provides an unusually lively, engaging dialogue which assumes no prior scientific background. From specific hazards of volcanoes to keys to viewing inactive volcanoes, this is an important guide.

This book is awesome.
Dr. Harris has provided an outstanding guide to the Cascades here. He provides wonderful detail on all the big Cascade volcanoes from Garibaldi to Lassen, and covers Mono Lake/Long Valley, a geologically unstable area that deserves far more attention, as a bonus. Especially welcome is his information on Glacier Peak and Newberry, two of the most overlooked volcanoes of the Northwest. The geological detail is mid-range; Harris explains the chemical composition of different types of lava but does not overwhelm readers with charts and graphs.

Harris sometimes crosses over into the realm of tour guide, as he provides basic instructions on how to visit and climb the Cascade volcanoes, and he provides welcome information about the prehistoric and modern histories of the mountains, including the stories about how they got their many names (the story behind Mount Adams is great). Also included is a wealth of information about glaciers and the conflict between 'fire and ice.' However, this book is primarily designed to be a lesson about the nature of the 'fire mountains,' and there Harris succeeds on every level.

If you are remotely interested in geology, like to hike or climb in the Pacific Northwest, or simply live there yourself, you ought to know the story and potential of Rainier, Hood, St. Helens, and their kin. This is especially true if you have Hood or Rainier as a neighbor! Highest possible reccomendation.

Great book for nongeologists!
For those of us with an interest in geology, but no degree in the field, this is a well written, easy to read and understand treatment of the subject of Cascades volcanos. It was a thoroughly enjoyable adventure into the world of vulcanism. Well worth reading.

A useful, accurate guide to a beautiful, exciting region
Stephen Harris may be one of the last non-specialist authors. He doesn't confound the reader with copious scientific jargon. Insstead he conveys his love for what may be one of the last wild regions in the United States. In addition to excellent, understandable discussions of each volcano's potential danger and past history, Harris' technique enables the reader to use his book and a simple road map to plot the reader's own choice of which delightful scenic areas to visit.We visited the Oregon and southern Washington Cascades, as well as Mount Shasta, last September, and without Harris' well-planned guidebook, we would have missed many sights, such as Mount Newberry, and would have failed to fully appreciate others, such as the Columbia Gorge.
Harris' doesn't overwhelm the reader with propaganda about environmental spoliation by logging companies, but simply lets the facts speak for themselves. The book is an absolute must for anyone planning a vacation, in whole or in part, in the Cascades or Mono Lake region.

Informative Read
"Fire Mountains of the West" is a well-done account of the volcanoes of the Cascade chain, plus the Mono Lake/Long Valley caldera. I enjoyed each chapeter--indeed have read some two or three times (Mt. Hood and Crater Lake, of course!). The text incorporates all the volconologic knowledge of the 'Cades volcanoes to date (1988 for my copy). This would be a good book for the beginning reader of volcanoes, as well as the more informed home volcanologist. As an artist, I appreciated Chris Hunter's careful line drawings, which depicted the volcanoes, some of the prehistorical eruptions (Mazama), and detailed geological maps. All in all, a book that's worth every cent. ... Read more