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.

Good book on a topic I knew nearly nothing about.

Any additional comments?

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was too detailed.

Another great book by David McCullough.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Like many of David McCullough's books, it was a beautiful retelling of an important part of American history. The events that transpired during the Johnstown Flood were unimaginable but yet so vivid as Edward Herrmann's brilliant performance brings it to life. One can not help but feel like they are there in Johnstown witnessing the flood, sharing in the shock of the devistation, the sadness as the town is ravaged, excitement in harrowing escapes, and the joy of finding loved ones still alive. This book is highly recommended and worth reading again.

Great writing, wonderful listen ...

As with many momentous events in history, they happen in an instant, linger a little in our conscience, and disappear just as quickly in newer events. So it was with this tragedy, a century+ ago in Johnstown, PA. As one reviewer stated, it was just as calamitous as 9-11-2001, if not more, but is lost to history today. Thank goodness for author’s such as David McCullough who presents us with a wonderfully written book detailing the preceding events as well as the outcome of the disaster.

The research within the book is outstanding as the author takes us to the town of Johnstown and its habitants, the Conemaugh valley and the surrounding heavy steel industry, vital railroad, and the man made South Fork dam. The neglected and aged dam was under the ownership and supervision of a secretive sporting club, South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, with members coming from the Pittsburgh elite. The Club could have prevented the natural disaster through proper maintenance but failed to do so. As with many tragedies, where 1 in 10 occupants of Johnstown died, this man-made disaster could have been easily averted. Sadly, the Club and its membership escaped punishment through silence, powerful lawyers and wealth.

This is a great telling of a natural made tragedy in American history. Recommended.

Powerful story well read.

This is one of McCullough’s smaller books. But while it’s not as essential reading as some of his biographies, it is a fine review of a disaster that is dimming in our collective memories. It deserves retelling

Edward Hermann is a nearly perfect narrator. The only reader who might be even better is McCullough himself in his younger days. But Hermann is terrific. He’s skilled, intelligent and manages to achieve the right emotional tone almost all the time. I’ve listened to a couple of his books now and have been so impressed I will seek out more.

Great listen!

Offbeat American history

In-depth and very interesting account of a seemingly forgotten American tragedy. The narrator is extremely good. I would recommend this for any American history buff.

A poignant, heart-wrenching story.

An important part of the history of Pennsylvania, and the story of the "haves" and the "have-nots."

Interesting!

Very well told. It is an important piece of American history we have not readily heard about.

Really well done!

Very interesting and moved at a good clip. Never knew of this event and learned a lot. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys history.

Easy to listen

Very easy to get drawn into this story. I could not help but see all the research that went into this story.

Great tale of an American Tragedy

Absolutely love McCullough's work and "The Johnstown Flood" is epic! McCullough has a knack for weaving multiple story lines and perspectives with personal stories to construct a historically accurate and informative narrative. Would highly recommend.