Isaac's Storm - Likewise Book Reviews

"I have a weakness for nonfiction disasters. This one is close to home. "

"I learned about the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 on an episode of Morbid (podcast) where they talked about its infamously haunted lighthouse. The description of death around the lighthouse was horrific so naturally I needed to learn more about the hurricane. I found Erik Lardon’s book by chance while shelving at work and immediately put a hold in for it at the library. This is Larson’s first nonfiction book, I believe, and you can tell he’s still working out his writing style in some places. However, this was a well written, incredibly researched, and intriguing book written through the narrative of Galveston’s weatherman Isaac Cline. Larson doesn’t necessarily make Cline out as a hero, but relies on his personal accounts to recreate the terrible storm. Isaac and his brother Joseph had major Main Character Syndrome, it was kind of ridiculous. Their arrogance cost people their lives, despite Isaac claiming he saved as many as 6k people’s lives. It was astounding to read about the arrogance of not just the Cline brothers but the age and how it clouded basic common sense. I learned a lot about the hurricane and the state of the US in 1900. I look forward to reading more of Larson’s work!"

"For me, the first third of the book was hard to get into because it was so full of facts of & terms used for forecasting weather and it was rather dull. Then once the deadly hurricane starts to form, that's when the book becomes fascinating & entrancing. There is so much happening & so many people you are rooting for to make it through the storm. It is action packed, frightening, amazing, incredible, horribly sad & unbelievable tragedy all mixed together. It's crazy to think that this storm is not well-known for it was was absolutely horrific in its scale of destruction & deaths. This ended up being a very good book with a very tragic main character & storm."

"I dunno. I felt like there was something missing about this book, but I can't really put my finger on what it was."

"I love books about natural disasters and this is one of the best natural disaster books I have ever read. I couldn't put it down. It is a great account of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane."

"I've loved the other three Erik Larson books I have read, but this one was a little slow for me. I think EL has grown as a writer since this early one, but maybe the story just wasn't as interesting to tie together like his following works. Still, if you are interested in weather, Galveston, or the word barometer, this book may be for you."

"Narration and sorytelling of survivors is riveting."