Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time and the Deadliest Hurricane in History*
by Erik Larson
- Before reading this book, were you familiar with the hurricane of 1900 that devastated Galveston?
- We timed the discussion of this book well with the recent hurricanes Katrina and Rita. How did those two hurricanes compare with the hurricane of 1900? What lessons, if any, had we learned from that disaster?
- In addition to facts about the hurricane, what did Erik Larson achieve with the writing of this book? Did you think he added the right mix of history, science, and human interest?
- Did you like the author’s style of writing? How effective was the use of different type/fonts in the first section of the book?
- How would you describe Isaac Cline? Was he a good meteorologist? Do you think he was a hero? Or....did some of the deaths in Galveston belong to him?
What about his brother, Joseph?
Describe the relationship between Isaac and Joseph. Was the competition between the two justified? Did you side with one or the other? - Did you feel that you got to know the characters? Other than Isaac and Joseph, were there any particular characters that stood out to you? Any you loved? Any you disliked?
- P. 347 (large type edition) In his official report on the storm, Isaac wrote: “The hurricane which visited Galveston Island on Saturday, September 8, 1900 was no doubt one of the most important meteorological events in the world’s history.” There was so much he wanted to say, but could not - how headquarters and the West Indies Service had failed to recognize the storm as a hurricane, how even he had not understood the signs of warning until too late. That was the most difficult part. He could not describe these conjoined failures, for to do so would have been to damage the bureau in its struggle for credibility. Did he do a disservice by not telling the truth?
- After reading this story, what was your opinion of the weather bureau? Compare to today’s weather bureau (renamed National Weather Service).
- Why did the U.S. weather bureau cut communications with Cuba?
P. 149 (large type edition) “It was an attitude, however, that seemed to mask a deeper fear that Cuba’s own meteorologists might in fact be better at predicting hurricanes than the bureau. - What long-term effect did this hurricane have on Galveston and our country as a whole?
- Were you aware of the Galveston/Houston rivalry. How did the hurricane affect that rivalry?
- For those of you who read Devil in the White City, how did this book compare?
*Questions written by Mount Prospect Public Library Staff
Published 1999
