Human responses to natural disasters
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`[A] thoughtful account of four famous episodes of natural disaster . . . Each horrendous event stimulated yet another step in the systematic attempts to understand why such things happened, and how they might be confronted. What emerges most powerfully from this beautifully written, richly detailed and brilliantly judged book, however, is how much we so often choose not to learn from such events.'
--Guardian
`Hamblyn's book is continuously alert to the narrative potential in these earth-shattering episodes . . . We cannot hold back the tectonic plates or stem the lava flow, but de Pombal and Franklin still have much to teach us when it comes to preparing for the next catastrophe. The event itself, as Hamblyn points out, is rarely as disastrous as the decision we make before or after it happens.'
--Sunday Telegraph
--Guardian
`Hamblyn's book is continuously alert to the narrative potential in these earth-shattering episodes . . . We cannot hold back the tectonic plates or stem the lava flow, but de Pombal and Franklin still have much to teach us when it comes to preparing for the next catastrophe. The event itself, as Hamblyn points out, is rarely as disastrous as the decision we make before or after it happens.'
--Sunday Telegraph
Book Description
Blending history, science and eye-witness accounts, and arranged in chapters corresponding to the four elements (earth, air, fire and water), Terra explores the relationship between the planet and the humans who inhabit its surfaces. Through four case histories -- the Lisbon earthquake of 1755; the weather-panics of the summer of 1783; the eruption of Krakatau in 1883; and the Hilo tsunami of 1946 -- Hamblyn reminds us of the earth's unimaginable force and describes what happens when that force is unleashed, both in terms of the immediate human consequences and the longer term economic and scientific implications. Serving, ultimately, as a stark and incontrovertible reminder of our vulnerability when the earth 'goes wrong', Terra also asks why we don't seem fully able to learn from the catastrophes, mistakes and responses of the past. Praise for Richard Hamblyn's previous book, The Invention of Clouds: 'An elegantly written and richly diverting thesis of unusual interdisciplinary facility' Guardian 'A book that accomplishes that rare feat of changing the reader's perception of the world' Economist
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Aitken
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Richard Hamblyn describes four natural disasters under the following headings: Fire - The eruption of Krakatua; Water - The Hilo Tsunami; Earth - The Lisbon Earthquake; Air - European weather panic.
Each of the disasters is scrupulously researched using historical data and first hand accounts. If this sounds dull I can only say that in Hamblyn's hands each of the tales is vividly brought to life in the most exciting and satisfying way, without resorting to over dramatisation.This is an immensely readable book which I found enthralling. Anyone interested in the kind of natural destructive occurrences which occur on our planet will find much to enjoy in this extremely well written, informative and exhilirating read. Highly recommended.
Each of the disasters is scrupulously researched using historical data and first hand accounts. If this sounds dull I can only say that in Hamblyn's hands each of the tales is vividly brought to life in the most exciting and satisfying way, without resorting to over dramatisation.This is an immensely readable book which I found enthralling. Anyone interested in the kind of natural destructive occurrences which occur on our planet will find much to enjoy in this extremely well written, informative and exhilirating read. Highly recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
'Terra' examines natural disasters such as the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the eruption of Krakatau in 1863, and the Hilo Tsunami in 1946, from the perspective of human impact and how we learn from past catastrophes. We learn very little from them, is the conclusion of this book. Although we are increasingly aware of the ongoing and imminent dangers of the living Earth, we make surprisingly little progress or change, for example cutting corners in buidling regulations in known earthqauke zones. This book is full of such surprising eye-openers as this, and underlines the frailty of human civilsation, as well as the arrogance in our failure to adapt to the volatile nature of the Earth.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Joanne K. Pilsworth
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This was another book which I thought would keep me occupied whilst on holiday. I could not put it down. Taking a major historical event: earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami and the weather, the author has demonstrated though eye-witness records just how much each of the events have shaped future understanding of the effects of nature on the 'civilised' world.
If ever there was a book which advises us to learn from our mistakes, it is this. Lessons were undoubtedly learned, for example, in Hawaii, on how best to handle an incoming tsunami. I had to laugh at the stupidity of the 'surfer types', whose only thought was to ride this big incoming wave. Yet, that was the case then. Now, people realise the damage that an incoming tsunami can do, and know that the best thing to do is to run in the opposite direction. Similarly, the descriptions of tour parties going to see the Krakatoa eruption, with people oblivious to the risks they were taking.
I would say that this is a book which can be read by both 'science' types and 'humanities' types, as both sides can learn from it. Age-wise, I would say anyone over the age of 14 would enjoy this book. In terms of learning from primary sources in history, this book is a good demonstration.
If ever there was a book which advises us to learn from our mistakes, it is this. Lessons were undoubtedly learned, for example, in Hawaii, on how best to handle an incoming tsunami. I had to laugh at the stupidity of the 'surfer types', whose only thought was to ride this big incoming wave. Yet, that was the case then. Now, people realise the damage that an incoming tsunami can do, and know that the best thing to do is to run in the opposite direction. Similarly, the descriptions of tour parties going to see the Krakatoa eruption, with people oblivious to the risks they were taking.
I would say that this is a book which can be read by both 'science' types and 'humanities' types, as both sides can learn from it. Age-wise, I would say anyone over the age of 14 would enjoy this book. In terms of learning from primary sources in history, this book is a good demonstration.
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This book uses a handful of natural disasters and their effects and through that mechanism allows the reader to confront the questions that often haunt such events: why the scale... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2010 by Paul Munro
3.0 out of 5 stars
Starts well but could be shorter
The book starts well, the description of the Lisbon earthquake is a real page-turner. However, the book rather drags on by the our 3rd earthquake. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2009 by sam
4.0 out of 5 stars
Four devastating natural disasters narrated largely from eye-witness...
A narration of four events that changed the world, all natural disasters. Each disaster chosen corresponds to one of the four natural elements - earth, air, fire, water - showing... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2009 by S. Barnes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vivid account of natural and human disasters
Hamblyn dissects four natural disasters, under the headings of Earth (Lisbon earthquake 1755), Air (European 'weather panic' 1783), Fire (Krakatau 1883) and Water (Hawaii Tsunami... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2009 by Jason Mills
4.0 out of 5 stars
To paraphrase Napoleon, Geophysics Explains History.
As someone working in engineering with a scientific background, I've often felt that it is a shame that modern life is so compartmentalised and focussed on specialisations. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2009 by bomble
4.0 out of 5 stars
High quality account of the nature's destructive potential
This book tells four tales of disaster: the earthquake which destroyed Lisbon in 1755, the atmospherically polluting eruption of Iceland's Mount Laki in 1783, the volcanic... Read more
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Published on 30 Sep 2009 by David J. Kelly
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