disasters

Needing to earn money after his father's death during the influenza epidemic of 1918, thirteen-year-old Joshua works as a newspaper boy in Boston, one day finding himself in the vicinity of an explosion that sends tons of molasses coursing through the streets.

Discusses the causes and effects of drought, including the dust storms that devastated the Great Plains during the 1930's and other periods of disastrous drought and famine throughout history.

Tells the story of Hurricane Katrina, a monster storm that struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, virtually destroying New Orleans and other cities,killing almost twelve hundred people, and leaving more than a million residents homeless, discusses the government's response to the disaster, and the challenges that need to be overcome to rebuild the vulnerable area.

Discusses what might happen if an asteroid hit the Earth.

Examines the origins of asteroids, their effects on hitting the Earth in the past and the present, and many of the asteroids in the solar system.

The Y2K bug, which prompted fears of a cataclysmic breakdown of societal order as 1999 turned into 2000, fizzled. Nevertheless, the decade experienced its share of catastrophic events including a massive and deadly tsunami, a bridge collapse, killer tornadoes, and devastating terrorist acts.

Examines some of history's great disasters, including the causes and effects of the extinction of the dinosaurs, the destruction of Pompeii, and the sinking of the Titanic.

Highlights the survivors of various traumas and describes their lives both before and after and offers a detailed discussion of the fear, courage, and the flexibility of the spirit that drives people onward after a life-threatening experience.