Book Description
INsiders brings volcanoes & earthquakes to life, with the most up-to-date information and state-of-the-art 3-D illustrations that practically leap off every page, stimulating minds and imaginations in a whole new way.

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Customer Reviews (1)

comprehensive book about earthquakes and volcanoes
The book covers the subject thoroughly, but often does not explain or define the scientific terms it uses.Instead, the reader must refer to the glossary at the back of the book, which disturbs the flow of the narrative.Since it is intended for children, I would have preferred that terms were defined in the text, as well as in a separate glossary.Otherwise, the book is well written, organized well and up-to-date. ... Read more

Book Description
Perfect for reluctant readers who are curious about the destructive power of planet Earth, or who are researching a science paper. The Natural Disasters series explains how and why natural disasters occur, and how to stay safe if the reader should experience one. ... Read more

Book Description
The first modern treatment of purposes, methods, and principles of the geological investigation of earthquakes draws upon examples from many seismically active regions of the globe, including China,Japan, the Mediterranean countries, the U.S., and New Zealand. The Geology of Earthquakes will be useful to engineers, geophysicists, and planners, in addition to geologists, and will be an aid to the geotechnical community as well as to graduate and advanced undergraduate students. The first several chapters of the book include introductions to plate tectonics, structural geology, seismic waves, geodesy, Quaternary geochronological methods, and tectonic geomorphology. These serve as a common interdisciplinary background for the second half of the text, which divides the discussion of earthquakes according to tectonic environment: strike-slip, divergent, and convergent. Earthquake environments from the globe are amply illustrated with photographs, maps, and cross- sections. Case histories of recent, well-studied earthquakes demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of earthquake science. Personal vignettes of early pioneers such as Charles Darwin, G.K. Gilbert, Bunjiro Koto, and Alexander McKay illustrate early historical milestones in earthquake geology. The final chapters of the book are devoted to secondary effects such as liquefaction, seismically induced landslides and tsunamis, and to the use of earthquake geology in earthquake hazard assessment. A glossary of terms, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive reference table of more than 300 historical earthquakes accompanied by surface faulting appear at the end of the text. ... Read more

Book Description
Non-quantitative and carefully illustrated, unique in both organization and approach, this three-books-in-one book introduces the scientific, historical, and personal safety aspects of earthquakes.Significantly broad in perspective on the subject, this book provides the basic scientific facts about earthquakes, explaining how the study of earthquakes has progressed through time, offering details on the development of earthquake instruments, and covering immediately practical aspects such as personal safety, building and living in areas prone to earthquakes, and earthquake geography.For a variety of careers in Geology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or Urban Planning professions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Excellent Book.
I read this book because I took a class about earthquakes taught by the auther Dr. David Brumbaugh. He is not only an awesome teacher, but he knows his stuff. The book is very detailed without getting too difficult to understand. The book talks not only about the physics of an earthquake , but also the history and culteral myths sourounding earthquakes. The book is a great book to buy if you want have a great understanding about earthquakes. The author teaches at Northern University Arizona, so if you are there TAKE THE CLASS AND BUY THIS BOOK! ... Read more

Product Description
Curtis Earthquake Kelley has a life story that will leave you wondering how one person could experience so much evil and live to tell about it. As the seventh child, he was chosen to carry on the voodoo legacy of his father. From the age of five, his father trained him in voodoo and sorcery with the intent of sending him to Haiti at age eleven to work under Papa Doc Duvalier. In this powerful book, pastor and former heavyweight boxer Earthquake Kelley shares an extraordinary story of his experiences as a child, and the testimony of his salvation and deliverance from a wretched life steeped in drugs and the occult. He takes the reader into the invisible realm and shares what is happening behind the scenes as God allows him to see a visible manifestation of the invisible realm. You will read of his near-death experiences, the first after dying of a drug overdose at age fifteen and being pulled into hell. Decades later, after dying of a brain aneurysm, he entered heaven and saw his son who had been killed years earlier. Kelley gives an incredible and vivid account of his experiences in both heaven and hell. The first 126 pages of this book detail Earthquake s personal life story. He is now a deliverance minister, and the rest of the book provides practical and informative knowledge of deliverance that will astonish you. He shares information such as: How to protect your children from evil spirits and why you must do so; what to do if your children are fearful at night or think there is something in their room; why you must be cautious of the things you bring into your home; how illusionists perform their magic; why you should never have sexual relations with someone to whom you are not married; and what you must do as a Believer to live in victory and keep the enemy under your feet.Kelley addresses and answers questions such as: Can demonic spirits remain in a home after the residents have moved out? What should you do when you move into a new home, or if the home that you live in is haunted? What kinds of problems can demonic spirits cause in your life? How can you gain victory over those problems? What causes division among friends, family, business partners, and people in the church? (Churches even split because of this.) Why must you be careful about the words you speak? Why is it imperative that you deal with bitterness and unforgiveness?This book gives a clear and enlightening picture of what happens in the unseen spirit realm when we fail to live a holy life based on biblical principles and mandates, or when we fail to use our spiritual authority to overcome the enemy. If you are a devout follower of Christ, this book will challenge you to live a holy and victorious Christian life. If you have unsaved friends and family, Bound to Lose, Destined to Win could be the lifeline that will save their souls for eternity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Must Buy for Every Christian
Just finished reading the book, amazing testimony with God's desire to have each of us to self examine our lives and remove those things that separate us from him.We must learn to repent even of those little sins that lead to bigger sins. Bishop Kelley is a message for all, young and old.Share the book with other's seeking guidance in these days of sin and rebellion. Will share the book and if it is not returned I will buy it again.

This is a must read!
This is a phenominal book. I read the book and it opened my mind up to a whole new world that most people don't even know exists. I read this book straight through. If you plan on sharing the book, don't expect to get it back.

A thought provoking and valuble must read
After discussing Earthquake's book with my teenage son, he wanted to read it as well.It ignited discussions about rebellion, the dangers of drugs and importance of selecting the right group of friends, among others.Although we've heard in chruch that Satan seeks to devour, this book provides an opportunity to examine the reality of such scriptures.I believe it is a must read for youth pastors and singles pastors especially, so that they may share with those they shepherd the negative results of faithless decisions and the reward of a life for Christ.

Fabulous
This book is an eye opener. I loved it. Such rich insight into the spirit realm. Thanks for writing it, Earthquake!!! I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
Robert Iacopi, the popular interpreter of the state's geology and seismology, explains why California has earthquakes and how to live with them.

Updated to reflect the significant changes in geological and seismological thought over the last 30 years, this new edition includes:

-The fault systems of California and how they work-The history of major quakes in California-How earthquakes are measured and what earthquake forecasts mean-How earthquakes cause damage, and what you can do to strengthen and protect your home-The best places to see the San Andreas fault-More than 130 photographs and illustrations

Learn about the 1989 "World Series" Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1994 Northridge earthquake. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Contents:
Maps, photos, how and why earthquakes cause damage. Explores the Southern, Central & Northern Andreas Fault, Elsinore Fault, Newport-Inglewood Fault, Santa Ynez and Related Faults, Garlock-Big Pine Fault, White Wolf Fault, Owens Valley Fault, Haywood Fault, and others.

Some old black and white photos of damage done. Like: Long Beach in 1933 (Jefferson High School), San Francisco's Hall of Justice and other buildings in 1906, Santa Barbara Pictures from 1925, Cummings Valley School in 1952, some from Holtville, Hotel Woodrow in Brawley, Naderman Bakery & Hollister Rochdale Company in Hollister in 1906, Santa Rosa's City Hall, a 3 story building in Fort Bragg, Memorial Church and domed library at Stanford, some of San Jose, one where a plate glass window pulled apart at seams and caught a tablecloth in crack when it drew back together, Daly City,one of a tall apartment building in Lake Merced where it blew out all the windows but did no other damage, an entire street in Compton demolished, Mission Santa Barbara, the old Hotel California and more. 160 pages.

Living and traveling on the great San Andreas fault
The San Andreas Fault, one of the largest transform faults in the world, runs from the Mexican border north to northwest California, where it finally enters the Pacific.Millions of people live by ths fault and its branches, and are subject to its powerful earthquakes at any moment.Yet few are familiar with its exact route, what it looks like on the surface, and how to take simple steps to protect against its spasms of movement.

"Earthquake Country" addresses these things in a simple, direct, and easily understandable fashion.The photographs are well-chosen and striking, and the directions to various places discussed are highly accurate.

A few years ago, I took a trip along the fault, from Pearblossom, northeast of Los Angeles, to Point Reyes, northwest of San Francisco.I saw hills ripped in half, streets that had moved, fault lines in roads, streams that followed the fault, lines of sag ponds crossing hills, and many other amazing features and things.Without this remarkable, carefully crafted book, I would have passed many of these features without knowing of their significance, or even their existence.The chapters on the central sections of the fault around Cholame and Parkfield were especially informative.

As he takes you along the fault, the author also discusses earthquake protection, and seismic geology in a crisp, professional fashion.This book is must reading for any Californian, or any tourist who visits that wonderful state.I really enjoy the book, and recommend it very, very highly.

Required reading for earthquake country residents
Excellent book, very informative and should be read by anyone living in earthquake country- understanding how and why quakes occur removes some of the fear. I've read all the past editions of this book; the most recent onehas been updated to include the 6.7, 1994 Northridge quake, which Iexperienced. Maybe not a pleasant subject to read about but veryinteresting. Well-written. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Unmatched in its acutely keen and balanced perspective
Also available in a hardcover edition (0765614561, $45.95), Recall!: California's Political Earthquake by San Jose State University political science professors Larry N. Gerston and Terry Christensen is the true story of the 2003 election to recall California's sitting governor, Gray Davis. Detailing in precise economic, political, and sociological terms the events that led up to the vote and the election of bodybuilder turned actor turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, Recall! is a superb addition to modern American history shelves, and unmatched in its acutely keen and balanced perspective of recent events.

An okay analysis; look elsewhere for gossip
For both myself and a lot of other bored political junkies, 2003's California recall election was literally a dream come true.Not only did it feature perfectly cast villians (either Gov. Gray Davis or Rep. Darrell Issa, depending on your own personal political leanings) but it gave us a truly mindblowing roster of cynics, dreamers, weirdos, crusaders, columnists, socialists, businessmen, and film stars -- all reaching for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become the leader of the biggest state in the union.If you didn't smile at least once while reviewing the latest details flooding in from California, then you have problems that go far beyond politics.And, ultimately, this strange little story had an ending that was either perfectly inspiring or perfectly insane (depending, again, on your own leanings): the election of the least likely governor since Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

Considering just how entertaining the whole thing was, it's hard not to be a little dissapointed with Recall: California's Political Earthquake.The book provides an accurate, if rather dry, analysis of how and why Arnold Schwarzenegger won the election and it provides a nicely evenhanded account of the "groping" accusations that dominated the final week of the campaign.As well, it also provides a very strong (and useful) analysis of why the voters decided to dump Gray Davis; an analysis that makes it clear that Davis's defeat had less to do with any partisan feelings or any psychological need to send a message to either President Bush or Congressional Democrats but instead had more to do with the fact that Davis was -- for lack of a better term -- kind of a jerk.Though Davis and Schwarzenegger dominate the book's reporting, the authors also take the time to detail how the recall movement went from being an exercise in fringe politics to a genuine grassroots movement.

Still, regardless of how accurate the analysis often is, this book fails to show why the California recall election became such a juicy soap opera.It captures the reasons behind the election but absolutely none of the excitement.While the book does devote a few brief paragraphs to the other major candidates -- Cruz Bustamante, Arianna Huffington, Tom McClintock, Peter Camejo, and Peter Ueberroth -- one still feels that their stories have been slighted in favor of the Davis/Schwarzenegger battle.While this is understandable, it is still hard not to regret that the authors couldn't find the time to go into more detail about how Huffington became the candidate of Malibu or how Bustamante managed to go from being one of California's top politicians to an almost stereotypical party hack in just a matter of days after announcing he would be a candidate.A short shrift is especially given to both McClintock and Camejo, the only two major candidates running as champions of political ideology and whose presence as potential spoilers should inspire hope amonst jaded political observers that candidates actually can still get some sort of attention based on their platforms as opposed to their personalities.And lastly, Ueberroth's campaign was a truly tagic one for anyone with the memory necessary to recall the days when this man was reguarly toted as a future President.His absolute failure to make any impact in the race is something that truly deserves to be studied and unfortunately, this book doesn't do that.

And what about the other hundred and whatever candidates who ran in that election?They get a brief mention and a few are listed by name (along with a description of what made them stand out) but -- considering that their valiant if bizarre campaigns pretty much made California the perfect microcosm of everything that is great and bad about democracy -- it's impossible to feel that the authors really did miss out on just what exactly made this election worthy of a book in the first place.Yes, Arnie may have been elected and Davis's fall might have represented the end of a certain type of politician but beyond all that, how can you talk about this election without making more than a brief mention of paralyzed pornographer Larry Flynt's campaign?How could you ignore the undeniably cute, if radically left-wing, computer programmer Georgy Russell and how she build up a considerable following by selling "Georgy-For-Governor" underwear on her web site?Where's erstwhile Diff'rent Strokes survivor Gary Coleman and his legalize marijuana platform or -- my personal choice if I'd been a California citizen in 2003 -- Republican bar owner and self-described "former party girl" Reva Rennee Renz?Nearly 200 people ran against Davis and Schwarzenegger and they made this election.Regardless of how successful the final results are analyzed, by totally ignoring Arnie and Davis's energetic co-stars, this book misses what made the recall such a wonderful thing.

In the end, if you just want (or need) the basic facts about the recall, this book is a good place to get them.However, if you're looking for a book that truly captures the excitement, the humor, the tragedy, and the ultimate meaning of the election -- well, I fear that book hasn't been written yet. ... Read more

Book Description
This revised and thoroughly updated edition maintains and develops the two major themes of the first edition. First is the connection between fault and earthquake mechanics, including fault scaling laws, the nature of fault populations, and how these result from the processes of fault growth and interaction. Second is the central role of the rate-state friction laws in earthquake mechanics, which provide a unifying framework within which a wide range of faulting phenomena can be interpreted. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Bible of Faulting
Prof. Scholz of Columbia summarizes the science of rock mechanics.

This book is the easiest way to gain a first foothold in the physics of how faults behave.In fact, as far as I know, it may be the only way, short of attempting a PhD in geophysics.I've read it (and hope I remember at least a fraction of its contents), used it in class, and even given away a copy or two to students.

If only more scientists could write as well.As a side light, Chris has also written a book for the general reader on the excitement of discovering the tectonics of Africa, Fieldwork: A Geologist's Memoir of the Kalahari, which I highly recommend.

Faultless book on faults?
Christopher Scholz has written a welcome update to the classic 1990 edition of his book, and if you thought that Crustal Deformation was a field where nothing exciting happens, think again!Substantial chunks of the book have been re-written and re-organized to bring the text bang up-to-date with the cutting edge of tectonics and rock mechanics research.
The beauty of this book is that Scholz, along with his students and research associates, basically has been the cutting edge of research in this field for the past 30 years.The book therefore reads as a guide to the evolution of ideas and a personal memoir of scientific exploration, while allowing the reader to follow the same thought processes, and more fully understand what we currently think regarding these subjects.
The text is a monograph, quite different from the usual condescending tone found in textbooks, and can be understood and appreciated by readers of widely differing abilities, from interested laymen to fellow researchers.Thorough explanations are given for each topic, with examples taken from actual scientific papers, putting the reader in touch with the original papers, a glaring omission in many other textbooks.The language is never more complicated than it needs to be, and Scholz's straight-forward explanations and no-nonsense style make comprehension almost too easy, leaving the reader a real feeling that one has learned something at the end, which will come as a breath of fresh air to any student that has suffered through a horribly dull and irrelevent lecture, only to remain scratching their head at the end.
The book is a tribute to the intellect and longeivity of the man's career, blessed as he is with a happy knack for being proven "right" by the passing of time, and continuing accumulation of research results.A classic text, and again, a must-read for anyone with a desire to know more about the planet we live on. ... Read more

Book Description
On December 15, 1811, two of Thomas Jefferson's nephews murdered a slave in cold blood and put his body parts into a roaring fire. The evidence would have been destroyed but for a rare act of God -- or, as some believed, of the Indian chief Tecumseh.

That same day, the Mississippi River's first steamboat, piloted by Nicholas Roosevelt, powered itself toward New Orleans on its maiden voyage. The sky grew hazy and red, and jolts of electricity flashed in the air. A prophecy by Tecumseh was about to be fulfilled.

He had warned reluctant warrior-tribes that he would stamp his feet and bring down their houses. Sure enough, between December 16, 1811, and late April 1812, a catastrophic series of earthquakes shook the Mississippi River Valley. Of the more than 2,000 tremors that rumbled across the land during this time, three would have measured nearly or greater than 8.0 on the not-yet-devised Richter Scale. Centered in what is now the bootheel region of Missouri, the New Madrid earthquakes were felt as far away as Canada; New York; New Orleans; Washington, D.C.; and the western part of the Missouri River. A million and a half square miles were affected as the earth's surface remained in a state of constant motion for nearly four months. Towns were destroyed, an eighteen-mile-long by five-mile-wide lake was created, and even the Mississippi River temporarily ran backwards.

The quakes uncovered Jefferson's nephews' cruelty and changed the course of the War of 1812 as well as the future of the new republic. In When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, Jay Feldman expertly weaves together the story of the slave murder, the steamboat, Tecumseh, and the war, and brings a forgotten period back to vivid life.Tecumseh's widely believed prophecy, seemingly fulfilled, hastened an unprecedented alliance among southern and northern tribes, who joined the British in a disastrous fight against the U.S. government. By the end of the war, the continental United States was secure against Britain, France, and Spain; the Indians had lost many lives and much land; and Jefferson's nephews were exposed as murderers. The steamboat, which survived the earthquake, was sunk.

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards sheds light on this now-obscure yet pivotal period between the Revolutionary and Civil wars, uncovering the era's dramatic geophysical, political, and military upheavals. Feldman paints a vivid picture of how these powerful earthquakes made an impact on every aspect of frontier life -- and why similar catastrophic quakes are guaranteed to recur. When the Mississippi Ran Backwards is popular history at its best.

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Customer Reviews (23)

it's good
I don't know what to say except that the book is good. It is well written and enjoyable.

Very interesting account of the events around the New Madrid Quake
The New Madrid earthquakes of 1812 were the most powerful quakes ever recorded in the contiguous United States.They were felt for hundreds of miles away.There are still visible effects of the quake in the area.If they had occurred today, they would have been a catastrophe of Biblical proportions, yet few people have even heard of them.

In this excellent popular history, Jay Feldman gives the reader a view of several major currents in the US at that time; the steam-powered riverboat, the Indian "Wars", the War of 1812, and slavery. This was a very tumultuous time for the young United States as they were still striving with the British, the Spanish and the Native Americans in a surge of expansion.

A murder is also thrown into the mix.Because of the quakes, a man who brutally murdered a slave was brought to justice.

Now someone writing anything other than a geology book would not be able to spend 200 pages on an actually earthquake and Feldman does attempt to.(Who would read it, other than a geologist?) He does an excellent job of weaving the aforementioned themes together to show the impact of the quake on the people and on larger movement in our culture.

Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, and Meriwether Lewis are a few of the figures in the book.

I really enjoyed this book.Know too that there is a show about the New Madrid quakes on the history channel and Jay Feldman is featured.

A unique time
This is a fascinating look at the earthquakes of 1811-12 on the Mississippi River. The author does a nice job of weaving several stories together to show what the area, its people and some of the key players in American politics were like at the time. Some do not come off as very appealing characters but that is as it should be, to show people warts and all. The book is a quick read and sheds light on several less well known chapters of American history from a different perspective.

Interdisciplinary history
Along with "nanotechnology", the other big word in science at the beginning of the 21st century is "interdisciplinary".Specifically, many future technological advances will be made at the points where different sciences meet.For example, genetic engineering arises from the meeting of biology with nanotechnology.This push for interdisciplinary science is affecting the social sciences also, as the events of human history are being revisited and re-examined with an eye towards geology, climate change, ecology, etc, etc...Such is this book titled "When the Mississippi Ran Backwards...".Written by Jay Feldman, this book shows how a geological event, such as a series of massive earthquakes, can change the course of human history even if the earthquake itself does not kill that many people.The earthquakes in question here are the New Madrid earthquakes centered on the Mississippi basin in 1813 - 1814.The quakes themselves destroyed buildings throughout the region of what is now Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouria, Arkansas and Alabama.But what is more important is what people did in response to these quakes.This then is the focus of this book.

First, the Native American leader Tecumseh had previously used the threat of quakes to rally tribes to his banner in their fight against whites.When the quakes did occur, it made many Native Americans true believers in the skills of Tecumseh.Rallying to his cause, they fought all-out against Americans in the war of 1812, a war which resulted in their destruction and the loss of many of their lands.

Second, the quake turned the Miss. River into a graveyard for ships of all sizes and makes... except for one, a steamship that had just got underway.This steamship survived the roiling waters and managed to even help in the rescue of some people.The resulting fame convinced many that steamships were the wave of the future with regards to travel on the Ole Miss.

The book covers other effects due to the quakes, such as the first ever federal relief project for a natural disaster.The book makes for a great read, very interesting and enjoyable.The book also clearly illustrates how Mother Nature can affect the actions of humans and change our history.

If only all history books were this well researched..
Any time an author includes a sentence beginning with 'The county court records..in 1810' in a book, you know that he has leafed through a lot of material to get his facts...

I love reading well researched and written history and this book is both.As one reviewer stated, the book does jump around, but for the most part, the book revolves around the earthquakes and the role that they played in events that Feldman is describing (the discovery of the murder victim, the Creek War etc).

My only problem with the book is that I think Feldman placed a little too much emphasis on the role that earthquakes played in the Creek War as he writes "The Creek nation...was broken, its demised, hastened, at least partly, by the New Madrid Earthquakes."This is a stretch...

Also, why he included the Battle of New Orleans in this book is beyond me.The battle took place in 1815, the earthquakes in 1811 - 1812. Yes his description ties up a few loose ends, ie The War of 1812, and was probably interesting to anyone not familiar with it, but to the rest of us, it was anticlimactic.

Overall though, this was a very enjoyable read that I would recommend.. After all, if you already know about the Battle of New Orleans you can just skip the end and read Remini's book on the subject... ... Read more

Book Description
This accessible guide to seismic design examines what earthquakes do to buildings and what can be done to improve building response to earthquakes. International examples and photographs are included as important learning aids in understanding the effects of earthquakes on structures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very good book for the young engineer
Easy to understand, easy to follow... It gives a very good notion of structural design for seismic protection for various types od structures. There are no complex mathematical formulas or sophisticated explanations of member behaviours. It is not definitelly for advanced design yet a good introduction to aseimic design and very helpful for young engineers. I got this book from my university library by chance yesterday, and I ordered it today. It is a good book to keep in my library...

Design for Earthquakes
This book is good for engineers and architectswho are looking for basic concept of seismic design. It is easy to understand. It's not a book for preparation of CA seismic test for civil engineer. It does not have many complicated formulas but it has many illustrations, do and don't's in designs. I recommend to people who want to learn about earthquake without having to know all the complicatedformulas & technical jargons. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very interesting and informative!
I found this book to be quite interesting and easy to read.It gives a detailed eye-witness account to the destruction caused by the series of earthquakes in the early 1800's.If you are looking for a technical bookabout the Rift Zone, this book is not for you because it does not go intomuch detail about the fault itself.However, it does tell of the relationof the current geology and how it was effected by the earthquakes. Generally, I found this book very enjoyable and I suggest it for anyone whois interested in the learning more about the potential hazards that liebelow the Mississippi Valley. ... Read more

Book Description
This is an unabridged reprint of the first book and first thorough scientific work ever published on the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12. The winter of 1811-12 experienced the greatest burst of seismic energy in the history of the original 48 states. Geologist, Myron Fuller, spent several years in the field between 1900-1905 scouting the New Madrid fault zone on foot and on horseback, mapping the consequences of these giant cataclysms that had so permanently and so profoundly changed the landscape of this region 90 years before. Originally published by the U.S. Geological Survey, this book is the starting point for all serious researchers on these world-class temblors. Foreword to this 1995 printing is by seismologist, David Stewart, Ph.D. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

New Madrid Earthquake - greatest recorded event of all time?
Just heard of this event July 07.Maybe I was asleep in class when this was mentioned, but as noted in the foreword by Dr. Stewart I'm not the only one who missed this, maybe the greatest recorded event of all time, or is even yet unaware.This book, 120 pages, compiles in one place extensive amounts of information about "the event".I hope it's not a hundred year event, but as we are approaching another hundred years, it might do well to be watchful.Otherwise, in my humble opinion as an unqualified scientist, the book is very informative and rich with references for further reading, or study if you are qualified or wish to be. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

The Earth Shook, The Sky Burned
I did not purchase this book through amazon.com, as I have a hard bound copy with an inscription from the author. This compilation, the narratives and photographs are timeless.

WONDERFULPICTORAL&DESCRIPTIVEBOOK
I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE GOTTEN THIS FOR A GIFT . THIS HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY CLASSICWILL HOLD A PERMANENT PLACE IN MY LIBRARY OF GREAT NON-FICTION & CLASSICS .THERE ARE 400 PHOTOS ANDVERY DESCRIPTIVE CAPTIONS ALONG WITH SHORT STORY LINES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN PROPER CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

I HAVE EVEN TAKEN TO USING A MAGNIFYING GLASS TO SEARCH THEFAR BACKROUNDS OF MANY OF THESE HEART STOPPING PICTURES OF PEOPLE, ANIMALS FROZEN IN TIME DURING THE MOST FRIGHTENING DAYS OF THEIR LIVES .I'T SEEMS THAT THERE ISN'T PANIC IN ANY OF THESE FACES WHILE IT LOOKED LIKE THE WORLD WAS COMING TO AN AWFUL FIERY END. WHY HAVE WE AS A PEOPLE CHANGED WHEN CALM WOULD BE THE ORDER OF THE DAY DURING SUCH AN EXPERIENCE ?

MY DAD USE TO SAY MANY YEARS AGO," MEN WERE MADE OF STEEL AND SHIPS MADE OF WOOD ...NOW MEN SEEM TO BE MADE OF WOOD "

The definitive book on the '06 Quake and Fire
Numerous writers and historians have told me that "The Earth Shook The Sky Burned" is still the definitive book on the events of 1906. Why have they told me this? Because my father wrote the book!

In any case, there is a reason the book has stayed in print for almost fifty years - it was meticulously researched and is an amazing pictorial essay. It is a must-have for anybody interested in those tragic and heroic days.

So long ago, but so relevent
I was fascinated with natural disasters when I was a child.I remember looking through this book, lying on my parent's bed, staring at the pictures of this horrible event.They haunted me then, and I can still see them in my mind's eye, these 35 years later.This is a story told with visuals, not dialogue.It is beautifully photographed, all without censure or special effects.The photos are grainy and some blurred, but capture the heart of the people of San Francisco, as it is broken and burned.Some images are difficult to see, and readers must use discretion if light of heart.Otherwise, I highly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in natural disasters.

Not deep on narrative, but excellent photograph
The basis history of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906 is well known, and will be repeated endlessly as the centennial of this geologic event occurs.

The present volume is a photographic glimpse into the awful events of fire and collapse that followed the earthquake.The book is not long on discussion, but the clarity and starkness of the photographs reveal much that discussion never could.For any student of geology, or of California history, the book is a valuable addition to one's library.These black and white vignettes of a terrible disaster tell us much about the life and times of that bygone era.I recommend it to all. ... 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.

Customer Reviews (17)

History through anecdotes
I was curious to compare the events in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake with the New Orleans Katrina disaster. I wasn't looking for a deeply researched history book, so this one answered my questions adequately. The author doesn't load you up with knowledge about earthquake faults and the scientific background behind plate tectonics. This is mostly a collection of anecdotes from people who lived through the earthquake, the events they experienced and observed, and some background on the political and business climate in which it all occurred.

And that was enough to demonstrate how little we humans have learned about preparing for disaster in the past hundred years. Let's see:

* The fire chief had been complaining for years that the city's water system was inadequate to cope with a major event. That was beginning to be addressed -- in fact there was a hearing about improving the water supply for fireman on the day the earthquake hit -- but the politicos felt the money could be better invested elsewhere. (Gosh, does that sound familiar?)

* Many of the responses from the political people first on the scene were accomplished in a CYA manner. The mayor, for example, was about to be indicted for corruption (and eventually he was, after the earthquake and fire), so his first actions were to secure political support.

* Poor communication stymied relief efforts. In some cases, food and clothing arrived but the distribution process wasn't in place.

* Also, the politicians tried to erase the "bad PR" after the fact, by insisting the body count was much lower than it was (the official numbers were in the hundreds, while on-the-scene reports indicated that many people were shot as looters and the real numbers were in the many-thousands).

* The events brought out the best and worst of people, from strangers who would help one another to police who turned to looting.

All of these sound very familiar, don't they?

The actual events were eerie. I've been in San Francisco often enough to recognize street names and landmarks, and I've heard some of the "society" names often enough to know to whom they were referring. If you've visited the City as a tourist a few times, I'm sure it'd give you another way to appreciate its past.

The book could have used another pass through by a good editor. There are some weird typos and unclear passages. And, as another reviewer said, this is less a history book with deep research and billions of citations than it is a set of anecdotes based on what the author could find at the time. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading it, and it did cover the info I'd been interested in learning about.

Dreadful
I am a former history major at Stanford University, a Bay Area native who now lives in the Midwest, someone who reveres San Francisco history.I have been meaning to write this review for a long time.The NY Times was brutal in its review of this book, which prompted Mr. Kurtzman to write back, attacking the reviewer, who called this book completely episodic.It is that and then some.I have not read Mr. Kurtzman's other books, but after this effort, I'm not likely to.This book is just one lazy, meandering vignette after another, with no structure, theme, or cohesion.Even the title, "Disaster", is a blatant use of Glady's Hansen's brilliant, seminal work "Denial of Disaster."I knew I was in trouble when I read the credits in the front: Kurzman refers to the great historian Malcolm Barker, author of Three Fearful Days, as "Malcolm Walker."The use of other people's structure and story lines is appalling.In their ground-breaking 1971 book The San Francisco Earthquake, Max Witts and Thomas Gordon open with a description of Enrico Caruso coming to San Francisco, fighting with his co-star, escaping Mount Vesuvius, and lines like "Caruso decided he would need more protection than the insurance policy...He bought himself a revolver and fifty rounds of ammunition...By the time the train reached San Francisco, Caruso had become a passable gun handler."Now look what Kurtzman does on Page One. After telling us about Caruso's fight with his costar, his escaping Mount Vesuvius, etc.; he writes "And so he purchased a pistol and fifty bullets...And while crossing the western plains, he spent his time learning how to load the gun and draw it with a flick of his wrist." Kurzman virtually duplicates the opening chapter from someone else's book, then proceeds to tell us the almost identical tales of the identical characters -- Abe Ruef, Dennis Sullivan --as exist in the Gladys Hansen and Thomas/Witt books.I could not find a single fact that was new and insightful, other than Kurzman's claim that 10,000 died -- a statement he fails to corroborate -- though all of us who have studied it know that the official death count of about 500 is a huge lie.I have read virtually every book on this subject, and this is emphatically the worst.Try "Denial of Disaster", or "Three Fearful Days", or "The Great San Francisco Earthquake, or even James Dalessandro's marvelous novel, 1906, which paints an extraordinary picture of how the military ran about shooting suspected looters and dynamiting the place to oblivion.I tried to find something redeeming in "Disaster."I fear that only its name fit that effort.

"A blazing red. . . ahot 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 ofLabor, 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 welldeserved prison term.

Gen. Franklin Funston, deputy commander of the army garrison at the Presidio, orderedhis 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... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautifully illustrated story set in San Francisco.
For those who love San Francisco, and the big classic hotels like the St. Francis, this story also appeals to kids who like dogs!Illustrations are wonderful and colorful. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Required reading for anyone inthe Mississippi Valley
The dangerous propensities of the midcontinental earthquake zone known by the name of the New Madrid fault system are part and parcel of life in the area where the Ohio River joins the Mississippi river system.In 1811 and 1812, a bone-shattering series of earthquakes took place here, three of which are estimated at over 8.3 on the Richter scale, devastating this region, creating new lakes, making the Mississippi run backwards for a time, raising hills, and changing river courses.If such a series of events took place today, the consequences would be almost unimaginable.

Atkinson's book explores these matters with a studied eye, an easily understoood writing style, and contains many excellent diagrams forecasting where future quake damage will occur, and in what amount.It also contains a shocking series of narratives about how little has been done to prepare for the next emergency.Make no mistake, the New Madrid earthquakes of the early nineteenth century are not the last seismic events in this region.

This book should be required reading for every local and state government official in this region and, especially for every civil defense person.While no one knows when the next giant eathquake will occur, and it may be some hundreds of years away, the magnitude of the potential disaster dictates readiness now.Examples would include strict rules regarding construction of building highways, bridges, pipelines, levees, sewage and water systems and the like.This book points out clearly what should be done.

I recommend the book highly.

The Need for Earthquake Preparedness
This book does an excellent job of describing the recent history of theNew Madrid fault, and the impact of recorded earthquakes in thatarea.

The book also serves as an effective planning guide for governmentagencies, businesses, and indiviuals.Proper preparation is critical ifthis now highly developed region is to survive another earthquake or seriesof earthquakes such as those that occured in 1811-12. ... Read more