The legendary annihilation in 1883 of the volcano-island of Krakatoa -- the name has since become a by-word for a cataclysmic disaster -- was followed by an immense tsunami that killed nearly 40,000 people. Beyond the purely physical horrors of an event which has only very recently become properly understood, the eruption changed the world in more ways than could possibly be imagined. Dust swirled round the world for years, causing temperatures to plummet and sunsets to turn vivid with lurid and unsettling displays of lght. The effects of the immense waves were felt as far away as France. Barometers in Bogota and Washington went haywire. Bodies were washed up in Zanzibar. The sound of island's destruction was heard in Australia and India and on islands thousands of miles away.
Most significantly of all -- in view of today's new political climate -- the eruption helped to trigger in Java a wave of murderous anti-western militancy by fundamentalist Muslims, one of the first eruptions of Islamic killings anywhere. Simon Winchester's long experience in world wandering, history and geology give this fascinating and iconic event an entirely new life and perspective.
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Simon Winchester's many books include The Professor and the Madman, The Map That Changed the World, Krakatoa, and A Crack in the Edge of the World. Each of these has been a New York Times bestseller and has appeared on numerous best and notable lists. Mr. Winchester was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by HM The Queen in 2006. He lives in western Massachusetts.
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Book Description 1st Australian edition. XVI, 432 PP with 12 headpieces and 57 b/w illustrations (charts, maps, drawings, engravings & photos). Hard cover, dj. Dust jacket rubbed. Ageing of paper and occasional foxing. Very good. 22 x 14.5. Seller Inventory # 50053
Book Description Hardback. 1st Edition. .Octavo Size [approx 15.5 x 22.8cm]. Very Good condition in Very Good Dustjacket. DJ protected in our purpose-made plastic sleeve. A nice copy. Black & white illustrations. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels. 432 pages. Brings to life the drama, the people and the science behind this iconic event. Seller Inventory # 281914
Book Description 1st Australian edition. XVI, 432 PP with 12 headpieces and 57 b/w illustrations (charts, maps, drawings, engravings & photos). Hard cover, dj. Slight foxing on top outside edge. Near fine. 22 x 14.5. Seller Inventory # 73690
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. First Edition. xvi,432pp, index, maps, ills. Would be very good except that paper has slightly tanned Size: 8vo. Seller Inventory # 322032
Book Description Hard Cover. Condition: F-. Dust Jacket Condition: F-. First Australian. F-/F-. 8vo. original maroon boards gilt (a trifle toned, minor creasing to a few leaves) in export dustwrapper (a trifle rubbed); pp. xvi, 432, with illustrations. A near fine copy. Seller Inventory # 033232