Isaac's Storm

Even the books I read are documentaries.

This is the fourth book by Erik Larson that I've devoured. I read it this weekend. Couldn't really put it down. The cold weather made for a good excuse to sit on the couch with book in hand and hot cider close by.

As with Thunderstruck, the Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts, this book is based on historical fact. Larson deftly weaves the facts into a riveting story that unfolds hook by hook. His books are often difficult to put down. He puts a ridiculous amount of effort into research and it pays off in spades. His novels are part history lesson and part thriller. 100% addictive and informative.

Isaac's Storm is about an insane hurricane that hits Galveston, Texas, in 1900. It's the "Katrina" of its day...only I believe even more deadly and devastating, if you can imagine.

The protagonist is a meteorologist, and the story follows his involvement before, during and a little bit after the storm. Other Galveston citizens' stories are woven into the narrative, too. It's pretty heavy on the meteorological talk, but not to the point of distraction. It's simply part of what you're getting yourself into when you read the book.

Once you've read one Larson book, you don't need much persuasion to read another. I'd suggest you didn't read In the Garden of Beasts as your first exposure to him, though. The Devil in the White City is his fucking masterpiece, followed by Thunderstruck, Isaac's Storm and In the Garden of Beasts. I'll buy whatever he puts out next without question.

This was great. You should definitely read it!