Sandy Rosenthal's Blog, page 11
May 15, 2021
Judges comments released for winning book “Words Whispered in Water”
The Eric Hoffer Award Program has released the judges comments for Sandy Rosenthal’s book Words Whispered in Water: Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina.
Founder Rosenthal’s book, published by Mango Media in August 2020, has received the 2021 First Horizon Award for “superior work by a debut author in Non-Fiction.”
Here are the judges comments:
“Part memoir, part exposé, Rosenthal employs the surgical precision of a investigative journalist and the craft of a memoirist to expose the flaws, natural and human, behind the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Fueled by personal history and a fierce sense of social advocacy, Rosenthal goes beyond the received Katrina narrative and the media that advanced that narrative to uncover corruption, bureaucracy and a failing infrastructure. Rosenthal balances the deeply personal with a keen documentarian’s eye to create an engaging and compelling account. Incisive, exhaustively researched and deeply engaging, Rosenthal offers an enlightening and cautionary account within a riveting and compelling read.”
In her book, Rosenthal describes how she created the group Levees.org to find out the true reason that New Orleans flooded in August of 2005.
In her quest for the facts, she discovered that the culprit, the US Army Corps of Engineers had spent millions fooling the American public and harassing anyone who stood in its way.
For more about the First Horizon Award, click here.
The post Judges comments released for winning book “Words Whispered in Water” first appeared on Levees.Org.
May 12, 2021
Levees.org founder quoted in New Orleans PowerPoll
Levees.org founder Sandy Rosenthal’s remarks were featured in this month’s PowerPoll.
Rosenthal, and others in the PowerPoll, were asked this question: “Who should pay for the improvements to the New Orleans area hurricane protection system?”
Here’s Rosenthal’s response:
“The levees failed due solely to mistakes by the federal government, specifically the US Army Corps of Engineers. This is not contested,” Rosenthal said. “In addition, almost no residents of Jefferson, Orleans or St. Bernard parish were made whole after the catastrophe.
“Therefore, the cost of the rebuilt levee system, which should not have failed, should be 100% borne by the federal government. The massive cost to maintain the new levee system – built without local input – is already a heavy burden to the above-named parishioners.”
According to its website, PowerPoll is a civic engagement platform that gives cities and communities the information they need to drive change and create consensus. Drew Broach is the New Orleans, LA correspondent.
For the complete poll and all remarks, click here.
The post Levees.org founder quoted in New Orleans PowerPoll first appeared on Levees.Org.May 7, 2021
Words Whispered in Water wins Nautilus Award in Journalism & Investigative Reporting
Levees.org founder Sandy Rosenthal’s debut book has received the 2020 Silver Nautilus Book Award.
On its website, Nautilus describes its selections as “better books for a better world.”
The award to Rosenthal’s book is in the Journalism and Investigative Reporting category.
Rosenthal’s book is titled Words Whispered in Water: Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina and was published by Mango Media in August 2020.
In her book, Rosenthal describes how she created the group Levees.org to find out the true reason that New Orleans flooded in August of 2005.
In her quest for the facts, she discovered that the culprit, the US Army Corps of Engineers had spent millions fooling the American public and harassing anyone who stood in its way.
For more about the Nautilus Award, click here.
The post Words Whispered in Water wins Nautilus Award in Journalism & Investigative Reporting first appeared on Levees.Org.May 6, 2021
April 28, 2021
Founder Sandy Rosenthal’s book receives First Horizon Award
Levees.org founder Sandy Rosenthal’s debut book has received the 2021 First Horizon Award for “superior work by a debut author.”
This award is an additional distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella.
Rosenthal’s book is titled Words Whispered in Water: Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina and was published my Mango Media in August 2020.
In her book, Rosenthal describes how she created the group Levees.org to find out the true reason that New Orleans flooded in August of 2005.
In her quest for the facts, she discovered that the culprit, the US Army Corps of Engineers had spent millions fooling the American public and harassing anyone who stood in its way.
For more about the First Horizon Award, click here.
The post Founder Sandy Rosenthal’s book receives First Horizon Award first appeared on Levees.Org.April 13, 2021
Words Whispered in Water earns introduction from Tulane University’s Mark S Davis
Mark S. Davis, photo courtesy of Tulane University
The Director of Tulane University’s Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy has written a wonderful introduction to founder Sandy Rosenthal’s debut book Words Whispered in Water; Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina.
The introduction, written by Mark S. Davis, is featured in Water Alternatives.
Here are some excerpts from the introduction:
“…Rosenthal points out, if we move on before actually learning and applying the lessons taught in tragedy’s classroom, then we do ourselves and those who come after us a grave disservice. …. Her path to becoming an influential citizen investigator is an important part of this story since how well and how safely we live is ultimately a matter of how much responsibility we take for making our communities work….”
Rosenthal’s book, the recipient of three awards is published by Mango in August 2020.
For the full review posted to Water Alternatives, click here.
The post Words Whispered in Water earns introduction from Tulane University’s Mark S Davis first appeared on Levees.Org.April 7, 2021
Words Whispered gets high marks from Columbia University Water Center
Founder Sandy Rosenthal is pleased to learn that her debut book Words Whispered in Water: Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina received high marks from the Columbia Water Center based at Columbia University.
Core research and staff associate Paulina Concha Larrauri wrote a Technical Review of the book.
Here are some excerpts:
“…[S]hows how an individual has the power to change big government agencies that may seem invincible…. Her drive is remarkable and it is impressive how she became so knowledgeable about all the intricacies that led to the failure of the levees….I agree that the contracting and peer review processes within USACE had to change, and that the responsibilities between the federal and local agencies had to clarified. Sandy does a great job showing why…. Words Whispered in Water proofs how the voice of concerned individuals can change the status quo, and potentially save many lives by kindling the structural changes that are needed to better protect society.”
Rosenthal’s debut book is published by Mango Media in August 2020.
For the full review on Research Date, click here.
The post Words Whispered gets high marks from Columbia University Water Center first appeared on Levees.Org.
March 23, 2021
Book Discussion by DISCOURSE: Words Whispered in Water
Recently, Sandy Rosenthal’s debut book Words Whispered in Water was reviewed by Discourse, an online video book reviewer.
The post Book Discussion by DISCOURSE: Words Whispered in Water first appeared on Levees.Org.March 18, 2021
Levees.org founder featured on Finding Genius Podcast
Recently, founder Sandy Rosenthal was featured by Richard Jacobs with FindingGenius Podcast.
Rosenthal spoke about her work uncovering the Army Corps of Engineers design mistakes and its campaign to fool the American people about it.
On the Finding Genius Podcast website, Richard Jacobs says he seeks out “the best of the best in any given field – the 1 in 1,000 genius practitioner in their field – and interviewing them to learn everything he could.”
To listen, please click here: bit.ly/3lpe6u1
The post Levees.org founder featured on Finding Genius Podcast first appeared on Levees.Org.March 2, 2021
Levees.org founders’ book nominated for Montaigne Medal and da Vinci Eye Prize
As part of the Eric Hoffer Award, Levees.org founder Sandy Rosenthal’s debut book, Words Whispered in Water was nominated for the Montaigne Medal.
The Montaigne Medal is an additional distinction to the Hoffer Grand Prize, awarded to the most thought-provoking books. Only two or three books receive this award each year.
And there’s even more news! The book’s cover is also nominated for the da Vinci Eye prize for outstanding cover art. Only six books receive this distinction annually.
The cover art is designed by local New Orleans artist M Styborski.
Words Whispered in Water is founder Rosenthal’s story about how she, and her group Levees.org, exposed the Army Corps of Engineers’ $100 billion mistake and its multi million dollar campaign to fool the American public about it.
This are Rosenthal’s 4th and 5th award distinctions for her book. For the other awards, click here.
The post Levees.org founders’ book nominated for Montaigne Medal and da Vinci Eye Prize first appeared on Levees.Org.
