The Day the World Exploded: The Earthshaking Catastrophe at Krakatoa

Winchester, Simon

3.88

20,738 ratings by Goodreads

9780061239830: The Day the World Exploded: The Earthshaking Catastrophe at Krakatoa

ISBN 10: 0061239836 ISBN 13: 9780061239830

Publisher: Collins, 2008

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Eruptions.

Explosions.

Shock waves.

Tsunamis.

The almighty explosion that destroyed the volcano island of Krakatoa was followed by an immense tsunami that killed more than thirty thousand people. The effects of the waves were felt as far away as France, and bodies were washed up in Zanzibar.

Today, one hundred and twenty-five years after the volcano erupted in one of the greatest catastrophes the world has ever known, the name Krakatoa is still synonymous with disaster.

In this illustrated account based on Simon Winchester's bestselling Krakatoa, the colossal explosion is brought to vivid life. From the ominous warnings leading up to the eruption to the wave of killings it provoked, here is an engaging and insightful look at what happened on the day the world exploded.

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About the Author:

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.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5–8—Zimmerman has successfully adapted Winchester's Krakatoa (HarperCollins, 2003) for young people. The book casts light on a specific moment when geological forces interacted with civilization, providing readers with a vivid picture of the destruction and human suffering caused by the volcanic eruption. The volume conveys much historical background to the 1883 Indonesian disaster, including the European colonization of the region in response to the spice trade. Relevant cultural and scientific advances are also presented, such as Alfred Wegener's concept of "continental displacement," Alfred Russel Wallace's breakthroughs in evolutionary science, and the invention of the telegraph. The eruption sequence is portrayed chronologically from personal records, telegraph reports, and official officer logs. Chin's full-color cartoon illustrations enhance the many archival and contemporary photographs, historical illustrations, and maps that accompany the text. The account of 19th-century scientific achievement is coupled with the drama of the eruption, resulting in an exciting and informative read, with the wide-ranging effects of the volcanic explosion explained in a powerful manner. In addition to this work's educational and reference potential, it lends a human face to a natural disaster and will attract general readers as well.—Jeff Meyer, Slater Public Library, IA
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