A review by deliriousofi
Ruthless Tide: The Heroes and Villains of the Johnstown Flood, America's Astonishing Gilded Age Disaster by Al Roker

5.0

The first book published about the Johnstown flood in decades. Well researched, well written and highly engaging. Even if you've already read Davd McCullough's book, which was originally published in 1968, this is so worth a read. Drawing from many more sources and told from the perspective of multiple survivors, this is a wonderfully accessible book for any reader. The author doesn't just focus on the disaster itself, but weaves a rich three dimensional tapestry of how and why it happened in the first place and what the consequences were for the whole nation. The context is key and it is presented well.