Review Detail

A suspenseful and informative look into hurricanes, from the science behind the storms to how people have learned to prepare for and mitigate the aftermath. The thorough presentation conveys the importance of vigilance and timely action while also keeping a hopeful tone, which I much admired, as someone who has only observed hurricanes through the news.

The storm, and the story, begins many days before it makes landfall. We learn about both modern tracking technologies and the natural weather conditions which precipitate a storm, as well as the extensive response tactics from weather reporters, scientists flying into the heart of the storm, and ordinary people evacuating from their homes. The juxtaposition of lightning and roiling seas with mild winds on sunny beaches miles and miles away illustrates the power of nature. Yet, by normalizing the storm as a natural, if often destructive, event, this book also teaches how to respond to hurricanes and similar uncontrollable events with respect and reason instead of panic or fear.

Dramatic. Informative. Encouraging. Pick this up for the science and human resilience in the face of the unexpected.