The Johnstown Flood

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

At the end of the last century, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a booming coal-and-steel town filled with hardworking families striving for a piece of the nation's burgeoning industrial prosperity. In the mountains above Johnstown, an old earth dam had been hastily rebuilt to create a lake for an exclusive summer resort patronized by the tycoons of that same industrial prosperity, among them Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and Andrew Mellon. Despite repeated warnings of possible danger, nothing was done about the dam. Then came May 31, 1889, when the dam burst, sending a wall of water thundering down the mountain, smashing through Johnstown, and killing more than 2,000 people. It was a tragedy that became a national scandal.

Graced by David McCullough's remarkable gift for writing richly textured, sympathetic social history, The Johnstown Flood is an absorbing portrait of life in 19th-century America, of overweening confidence, of energy, and of tragedy. This is a powerful historical lesson for our century and all times: the danger of assuming that because people are in positions of responsibility they are behaving responsibly.

©1968 David McCullough (P)2005 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Person all interest

I already knew much of the facts and stories about the flood. I was actually born in Johnstown and have visited the Flood Museum there several times. There was information in this that I hadn't heard before.

On a more personal note my great grandmother actually went through the flood on top of a house.

I thought the performance was exceptional.

A story that will forever haunt you...

Any additional comments?

David McCullough's gripping account of the Johnstown Flood is amazing work of journalism, documenting a horrifying event in American history. The stories he tells are incredible - almost too amazing to believe. However, I would not recommend reading this book before bed time. It's very upsetting at times.

I cried.

When he spoke of the red cross and all that they did for the people, I cried.

Very informative

I live an hour and a half from Johnstown, this is a must read, it brings the humanity into it with personal stories.

The story behind the lyrics...

I first heard a reference to this American tragedy from the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen's _Nebraska_ album in the early 1980s, and knew it must have been really bad.

This book tells the whole story of the events of that day, as well as what led up to it, the tragic aftermath, and the stories of the heroes and heroines both during the flood, and those who helped the survivors, including Clara Barton, who chaired the American Red Cross in its first major peacetime relief effort.

Meticulously researched, and for the most part, very well written by Mr. McCullough. Listeners should note that the chapter numbering for each part of the book starts at 1, and it's easy to lose track of where you are...

Very well read by Mr. Herrmann.

Highly recommended!

The 'horrible tempest,' with flood and fire...

"It had been the 'horrible tempest,' with flood and fire 'come as a destruction from the Almighty.' It had been awful, but it had been God awful."
― David McCullough, The Johnstown Flood

I was wrapping a couple of my first edition, eBay book purchases with mylar and discovered my first edition 'The Johnstown Flood' had a bit of water damage to the spine. I took this as a positive portent (ex dīrīs diluvium?) it was time to read it. One couldn't find a better divination that it is time to read a book unless one stumbles upon a pressed butterfly in a Nabokov or dirty photo in a Henry Miller at the Library (which reminds me I need to start carrying butterflies and McGill postcards into public libraries regularly).

I'm not sure what if there is a specific word for the disaster history genre, but I've recently read The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America, and now I've just finished a flood history, I've read about volcanoes (Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded) and earthquakes (A Crack in the Edge of the World), so now I just need plagues and pestilence histories and I'll be able to fill my disaster dance card (programme du décès?).

This is McCullough's first book, published in 1968. He was an early master of strong narrative histories. Having been trained at Yale in English and almost fumbled by grace, accident, talent or opportunity into historical writing. Once he started publishing, Mccullough has almost never been a disappointment to his publishers. He now reigns as one of the supreme masters of American popular biography, along with Walter Isaacson, Jon Meacham, Joseph Ellis and Doris Kearns Goodwin. These are the Costco historian set. They aren't always the 'best' or most rigorous historians, but there is a certain skill in being able to carry a story to the historically, unwashed masses. There are certainly better academic historians (Burlingame, etc), but McCullough's skill at telling a story and bringing his story-telling flair to the 1889 Johnstown Flood, makes the history of this very American disaster not just a moving story, but a very good social history.

Another Superb History From McCullough

Vivid, informative, exceptional history. Those who have a general idea of the disaster at Johnstown, as I had, owe themselves a journey through this book.

Detailed and Spectacular

An amazingly detailed look at a horrific historical event. Narrator is perfect for this book. The book's apex is, of course, the flood itself, but the choices, actions, and attitudes of the people both before and after the event makes for an interesting look at society too. No higher recommendation.

Enthralling Account Superbly Narrated

This was a well written account of one of the worst disasters in US history that few know about. The failure of a dam near an exclusive club, whose wealthy members ignored needed improvements that would have saved the lives of thousands. Members like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick and others largely did nothing and were not held accountable for the thousands of lives that were lost. The late great Edward Herrman narrates this perfectly, with just the right amount of emotion.
This is one the first books that I have listened to without reading the digital or hardcover version. The superb narration brought the story home. An enthralling listen.

Amazing detail without bogging down

What made the experience of listening to The Johnstown Flood the most enjoyable?

I've always heard about the flood, and knew where it happened, but never knew the full story or (most interesting to me) how the dam came to be there in the first place. This story has details that tie in with McCullough's book about the Brooklyn Bridge. His account of how the flood looked and acted made me feel like I was there watching it, over and over, as each eye witness witnessed the flood.

What other book might you compare The Johnstown Flood to and why?

The Great Bridge, another work that ties in in details, and has almost the same scope of details to cover. which he does a great job of making you feel like you are almost there.

Which scene was your favorite?

when the flood reached the first railroad bridge.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

if I could have YES!

Any additional comments?

I've read and listened to four of his books, each one is well worth the time and money.