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Customer Reviews (32)

Great service, great value
Ordered this used hardback for book club purposes. The book arrived in a most timely manner and is in great condition.
Considering the bargain price to boot, I couldn't be more pleased.

Puts You Right There with the Passengers
The White Cascade was my introduction to the story of the Wellington avalanche disaster. I've been a Washington resident all of my life, and like many, I'd never heard of the 1910 disaster. After visiting the site in July of 2009, someone recommended The White Cascade to me. I was glad they did.

In the book, Krist tells the story of the passengers who are trapped on a Great Northern Railway train just trying to get across the mountains in the worst snow storm in the recorded history of the Pacific Northwest. Krist's recounting of the disaster reads like a novel - taking the reader along for the ride as the passengers discomfort grows with the increasing realization of how precarious their situation really is.

In The White Cascade, Krist has written a well-researched and compelling book that keeps you turning the pages.

You will not be Disappointed
This is a good and quick read. It examines men and women under pressure and in some pretty unique circumstances. The writing is crisp,entertaining and well done. You quickly come to realize that when Mother Nature is in controlsimple decisions can have some very signigicant consequences. Give this book a try I guaranty that you will not be disappointed.

An unbelievable story that is all too real.
The White Cascade by Gary Krist, is an exceptional piece of written history. As previously said it reads, as a novel with suspense and characters full of emotion and detail yet the amazing thing is that this is no novel but history told at its best. This is the story of the 1910 avalanche that swept two snow bound trains off the high mountains tracks of Steven's Pass in Western Washington and took at least 96 lives. An amazing tale that history buffs, train lovers, and those interested in Washington's past cannot pass up. The people and rationalization are very clear through the book and a reader can sympathize with each person and their attempts to avoid the inevitable. James O'Neal seems to exude super human strength to free the trains. The Great Northern Railway is seen both a human personal light by the workers along with O'Neal yet also as the uncaring industrial company as it maneuvers to avoid lawsuits after the accident. In the end, it is seen as unavoidable and led to the building of the 8-mile tunnel still in use through the cascades.

I have finished this book as the 100th anniversary of this tragic event nears, and am amazed that being born, raised and worked in Washington State most of my life I had no idea of this event. It is sad that the only monument to these victims and the people who gave everything to save them is the cold concrete of the tunnel and snow sheds forgotten in the trees of Steven's Pass. An excellent book and piece of Washington State and Railroad history that needs to be remembered.

Great Action Book for People Interested in that are of the U.S.
Having just vactioned in the NW U.S. and Canada, I was struck with what a major role the railroads played in opening up that region. This book depicts the importance of the railroads and combines a true story of how tough it was out west. I was amazed at the amount of research that the author did for this book. Exciting and informative. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

fascinating narrative of 2 disasters in one year
This book gives a narrative history of 2 separate disasters that happened in the northwest US in 1910.
One was an avalanche that killed 96 people at Wellington, Washington.Most victims were train passengers or railroad employees.The book details how the intense winter storms stranded the trains at Wellington; the frantic, around the clock attempts to open the tracks; the avalanche itself and its aftermath.
The second disaster was a firestorm in the mountains between Idaho and Montana in August 1910.The storm destroyed millions of acres of timber and burned many towns.She includes detailed information on how individual townspeople, fire fighters and others evaluated the pending disaster, what action they took to survive and the outcomes.
Her writing style is straightforward and easy to read.For both events, Ms. Hult was able to communicate with many survivors and she provides a detailed list of survivors and decedents and a bibliography of sources for additional information.

Exciting History
I am an avid fan of good historical writing and Northwest Disaster is one of the best.It's acurate depiction of the people, region and era will add to the fast paced story. It is actually two stories that grabbed the headlines long ago and will keep you up all night wondering how it all ends.If you enjoy stories like "Disaster, the Great San Francisco Fire" or "Into Thin Air" you will love this one.

Northwest Disaster: Fire and Avalanche by Ruby El Hult
This book contains wonderfully researched and interestingly presented reports of two unforeseen major disasters that occurred in 1910 in the mountainous regions of Washington, Idaho, and Montana.The heroism of many of the people involved, the desperate actions by many to alleviate the suffering and loss of others are truly inspiring.These are not boring recountings of facts but true stories of human courage and responsible behavior in the face unbelievable odds. ... Read more

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One instant, a snow-covered mountain slope can be a picture of serene beauty; the next, it can be a roaring, roiling mass of unimaginable power and destruction.This book examines what causes avalanches, the damage they can wreak, and how people can avoid disastrous experiences with "The White Death". ... Read more

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Ages 7 to 14 years. Awesome and destructive forces are unleashed when soil, mud, and snow are on the move. This book looks at the causes and effects, places in danger, and how people cope with these disasters. This book features amazing full-colour photographs feature "famous disasters". Topics include: how ancient peoples predicted avalanches, and the equipment that meteorologists use to predict natural disasters today; how people can recognise signs of danger and techniques to stay safe during a natural disaster; the aftermath of landslides and avalanches, including the rebuilding of destroyed homes and the rescue of injured people; step-by-step explanation of how avalanches and landslides occur; a science experiment to help children understand the path of destruction of an avalanche or landslide. ... Read more

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Discusses how different types of avalanches are caused, how they may be prevented, and how people can protect themselves and their homes from this type of disaster. ... Read more

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In Colorado avalanche Disasters you will relive thesacrifices, despair, and elation of men, women, and children who facedColorado's greatest avalanche disasters.These true tales carry thereader throughout the mountains of Colorado--from the northern rangesto the southern San Juans. ... Read more

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I am Scary
This book was great.I read it 5 times in a row.I will read it again very soon! ... Read more

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Examines the nature, origins, and dangers of avalanches and discusses preventive and safety measures to be used against them. ... Read more

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This book answers 1001 questions about all kinds of natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, avalanches, landslides, floods, droughts, fires, and animal plagues. A very informative, readable book. Unabridged republication of the original (1969) edition, 1001 Questions Answered About Natural Land Disasters. 18 photographs, 23 line drawings.
... Read more

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The awesome display of power that is unleashed by many of the world's natural disasters has aroused both terror and curiosity for centuries. This series of books looks at the history of natural disasters and their effects on mankind and the environment. AVALANCHES and landslides can engulf and destroy towns and villages in just a few minutes, as huge masses of snow, rock or mud crash down from a mountain or hillside at high speed. Dramatic pictures illustrate this book which explains all aspects of these destructive powers. ... Read more

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NATURAL DISASTERS uses a case study approach to investigate the devastating effects of natural phenomena. Each of the 6 titles includes spectacular images and examples from LEDCs (less economically developed countries) and MEDCs (more economically developed countries) that explore the causes and impacts of recent major disasters. You will learn how people were affected and how they coped with, and recovered from, the dramatic disruption to their lives. Each title also looks at how we can prepare for and predict disasters in the future. ... Read more

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Mother Earth in Deadly Motion...for Younger Readers!
Landslides and avalanches are amongst the most terrifying of natural disasters. In split seconds, earth, rocks and trees might suddenly be transformed from a scenic vista to a deadly mass sweeping down a mountainside, burying everything in its path. Robert Shone details killer avalanches and landslides in this 'Graphic Natural Disasters' book published in 2007.

Aimed at the 9-12 age group, AVALANCHES & LANDSLIDES provides four pages of general information and photographs on the subject before presenting Graphic Novel depictions of three deadly avalanches/landslides: the Wellington, WA. 1910 avalanche, the 1962 Mount Huascaran landslide in Peru and the 2006 Leyte, Philippine Islands mudslide. Such events were breathtaking in their speed and in the damage done. The Peru landslide, for example, took seven minutes to travel nine miles(!)and killed 3,500 men, women and children. Shone concludes the book with material on avalanche/landslide prevention devices, warning systems, rescue equipment, a glossary and a 'For More Information' section.

Though the book depicts people in deadly peril, the illustrations are not sensationalized and young readers should be able to handle the material.

All in all, a good introduction to a fascinating if deadly natural phenomenon. Recommended. ... Read more

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Never has there been a pit disaster to compare in terms of humancourage and human error with that which overwhelmed KnockshinnochCastle Colliery, in New Cumnock, Ayrshire, in the wet September of1950. Black Avalanche is written by the famous husband and wife team,Arthur and Mary Sellwood, who learnt the truth about the disaster fromthe men and women who experienced this horrific disaster first hand. This book details each stage of the rescue and reports the reactions ofthose trapped underground. Black Avalanche tells the story of the menwho lived their lives underground and of the women who feared for theirsafety. Finally, Arthur and Mary Sellwood illustrate how tragedy anddisaster can unite people, regardless of their class, age or gender, asthey struggle to cope with the situations they find themselves in. ... Read more

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The awesome display of power that is unleashed by many of the world's natural disasters has aroused both terror and curiosity foe centuries. This series of books looks at the history of natural disasters and their effects on mankind and the environment. Earthquakes happen when two plates of the Earth's crust rub against one another at a fault line. They can cause tremendous damage. This book examines their causes and effects. Avalanches and landslides can engulf and destroy towns and villages in just a few minutes, as huge masses of snow, rock or mud crash down from a mountain or hill side at high speed. Dramatic pictures illustrate this book which explain all aspects of these destructive powers. ... Read more

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Breathtaking photos of some of the worst disasters from around the world. Tornado's, earthquakes, floods, dust storms, fires, avalanches, droughts, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Snowy Torrents--Avalanche Accidents in the U.S. , 1980-1
Anyone who is considering or is going to, travel away from developed ski areas or open and maintained highways, over snow by foot, snowshoe, skis, sled, tobbogan, snowmobile, snowcat,by any other possible means, or stay in a snowbound cabin, should purchase this book (and its 3 other editions)and read it.Then before next winter read it again, then before the winter after next read it again, then . . . . . . .Retired after 25 years with the U.S. Forest Service, completion of The National Avalanche School, a few field classes in avalanche awareness, and traveling a thousand or more miles in snow covered mountain ranges, I keep this book close to my desk and read and study it, along with almost every "Avalanche Handbook" I've ever come across.This book relates the consequences of a powerful force which often has serious or fatal consequences.The danger is subtle, the indications of the hazard are difficult to read, but there are potential loaded weapons lying in wait all over those magnificent, beautiful, and inviting mountains.Some are just waiting for a trigger and that could be you.

"When I was young and first started in this business it really scared me and made me nerveous, then as I grew older, I learned and became more experienced.I began to think I was understanding the subject and the fear subsided, now I'm getting older and wiser, and I'm getting more nervous all the time"Norm Wilson, world reknowned avalanche consultant, in the Sonora Pass area of the Sierra Nevada, circa 1982, to a class of avalanche novices.My apologies "Nordic Norm", if I didn't get this exactly as you said it.

"We don't control avalanches, that is a myth, we merely attempt to release snow from slopes at times and places where we can get everyone out of harms way"Approximate quote by Norm Wilson, Edward LaChapelle, Betsy Armstrong, Knox Williams, or Art Meers, I don't recall which, circa 1986.

Learn from other's mistakes
A compelling collection of avalanche incidents which describe the events leading up to each avalanche, diagrams of the avalanche, and an analysis of the cause and how it could have been avoided.These stories drive home the point that avalanches don't just happen to someone else, they can happen to anyone who puts themselves in bad situations.This book can help you recognize and avoid those bad situations.Highly recommended. ... Read more