Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson

This is probably the closest I'll ever get to reading a scientific book: there are lots and lots of scientific explanations about the hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas, in 1900 (how it formed, how it traveled across the Caribbean, how it gained energ, how wind and water work together). The story centers around the man who worked for the newly created National Weather Bureau in Galveston, but it branches out to include the stories of many other victims of the hurricane. The author did some serious research--just check out the references at the end of the book. The upshot of the book is this: if you don't have respect for Mother Nature now, you will after you read this book. You will definitely appreciate the power of nature and the helplessness of humans. The story reminded me of Stephen Crane's short story, "The Open Boat" about a shipwrecked crew. Basically, the short story's theme is that although Nature can be deadly, she has no regard--or disregard--for human life. Nature does its thing, and men just happen to be in the way. The sad thing about the hurricane in Isaac's Storm is that so many people were caught unaware; they estimate the death toll was over 6, 000, making it the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Everyone who lives in hurricane territory should read this book. It will make you pack up and evacuate when they give hurricane warnings. It was much, much better than Zeitoun (about Hurricane Katrina--see June 2010 for my review).