Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History in Mineola Library's 2012 FALL Reading Challenge

Mar 26, 2011 Holly Morey rated it liked it

I think I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars. When the author was writing about the storm and the people, the book was a fast read, but when he got sidelined by too much science the book dragged slightly. After reading this book, I believe that this disaster could not have been completely avoided but the massive loss of life could have been reduced. I don't think that Isaac and his friend Moore knew as much as they thought they did and for this reason they did not listen to those in Cuba ...more

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Jul 04, 2010 Suzanne Moore rated it really liked it

Shelves: east-texas-library-friends, spring-challenge-picks

Isaac's Storm chronicles the events of Isaac Cline's life leading up to the dreadful day when a hurricane swept the Island of Galveston and left behind devastating effects on the city and took the lives of thousands. The focus of the book describes the stormy event and how many reacted to the news of the coming storm. Isaac, head of the island's weather bureau, assures all that this will be merely a tropical storm, causing inconveniences, but nothing anyone should worry about. Despite the high w Isaac's Storm chronicles the events of Isaac Cline's life leading up to the dreadful day when a hurricane swept the Island of Galveston and left behind devastating effects on the city and took the lives of thousands. The focus of the book describes the stormy event and how many reacted to the news of the coming storm. Isaac, head of the island's weather bureau, assures all that this will be merely a tropical storm, causing inconveniences, but nothing anyone should worry about. Despite the high winds, business was as usual.

Eric Larson did extensive historical research and includes scientific data in the retelling of this tragedy. From diaries of eyewitnesses and survivors horrific reports make some things seem unbelievable. For instance during the day as the winds increased and waters rose, there was a scene at a local pub where businessmen gathered for lunch despite the water entering the building and pooling around their ankles they continued to dine. It wasn't until the water rose even higher and some noticed the body of a small child drifting by that they became alarmed and began to head home. Of course Isaac, as an example to the citizens, worked late that afternoon to prove his prediction was accurate. I wonder if he actually believed his forecast. The night before the storm hit, his younger brother Joseph tried to get him to issue a warning, but he insisted that the storm would blow over leaving no serious damage.

The day of the hurricane a census report was just released, totaling population of this coastal city to be over 37,700. The death toll following the disaster was numbered over 6,000 with some reports calling for double that number. I was deeply saddened by the deaths of the children and nuns from the orphanage. They tried bravely to stick together by tying ropes around their waists. In the end only three of the 93 orphans survived. I can only imagine how frightening this was for the little ones. Isaac was lucky to have survived the storm with his three daughters but his beloved wife, who was with child at the time, wasn't as lucky.

Cleaning up the damage and disposing of the bodies was quite a job, and the Texas heat made things very unpleasant. Many survivors evacuated the island and never came back. Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, went to Galveston, at age 78, to help organize relief efforts and raise funds for rebuilding.

Isaac when issuing a formal report on the storm and its damage failed to treat the memoir as lackadaisical as others claimed he was when describing events leading up to the storm's climax. He recalls riding the beach and issuing warnings to everyone about the seriousness of the storm. I guess his pride wouldn't let him admit failure, or he had to lie to himself and others in order to live with his guilt. He lost communication with his brother, who never forgave him for not taking his advice. This was one sad, sad tale. ...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Mary rated it it was amazing

This is a very good historical read. Liked the detail. As always, was amazed at the vanity of the ones that could have minimized the disaster. Cannot believe that the powers that be would not listen to more experienced people.

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Aug 12, 2009 Wanda Baldridge added it

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May 25, 2011 Sharon marked it as to-read

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