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 The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl :: 0618773479
Description
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| The dust storms that terrorized the High Plains in the darkest years of the Depression were like nothing ever seen before or since. Timothy Egan's critically acclaimed account rescues this iconic chapter of American history from the shadows in a tour de force of historical reportage. Following a dozen families and their communities through the rise and fall of the region, Egan tells of their desperate attempts to carry on through blinding black dust blizzards, crop failure, and the death of loved ones. Brilliantly capturing the terrifying drama of catastrophe, Egan does equal justice to the human characters who become his heroes, "the stoic, long-suffering men and women whose lives he opens up with urgency and respect" (New York Times). In an era that promises ever-greater natural disasters, "The Worst Hard Time" is "arguably the best nonfiction book yet" (Austin Statesman Journal) on the greatest environmental disaster ever to be visited upon our land and a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of trifling with nature. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
I finished this extraordinary book and opened it up again and re-read it. The writing is that breathtaking (there were paragraphs I read outloud to friends on the phone). I share most of my books with friends, but this one I refuse to let leave the house--despite promises of a quick return. So the people I tell are buying two copies at a time.
We all know "Grapes of Wrath" and have heard of the Dust Bowl, but never, did I ever realize what really happened through all those years. Thank you, Mr. Egan, for remembering these people, reminding us of our history, and helping put our lives in perspective.
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Author: Guest
I found the book both informative and well written. Having lived in the
Texas Panhandle for 21 years, I could easily relate to the area. What made
the book double interesting for me was the way it helped me to connect the
dots, so to speak, of the period since some of my acquaintences lived
through that period.
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Author: Guest
I liked this book very much, though it was hard not to share the pain these people felt during such terrible times. It brought back my own memories of those days. Would that we people today have the stamina and strength of character to persevere under such trying circumstances, when it must have seemed endless.
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Author: Guest
The author has done a wonderful job of researching the years of the dust bowl. I found this book to be excellent although depressing, if that makes sense. I am in awe that anyone stayed on the prairies and survived at all. Eating pickled tumble weed to your family because nothing else would grow.
May we all learn to respect the land and never let this happen again.
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Author: Guest
This book was OK, I suspose I would actually give it 3 and 1/2 stars if I could. It did get a bit boring in my opinion, but then again perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for it at the time. The worst part about it is the guy who reads the audio book version. He tries to come up with a different voice for everyone in the book, and fails. Most of the people protrayed come off sounding like some crazy old coot from a 1960's Disney movie. Sometimes it's so bad that it's funny. I certainly don't think it's what the author was going for.
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