American Earthquakes

How do we fulfill our conflicting duties as father, husband, and son; wife and mother; child and adult? Jew and American? How can we claim our own identities when our lives are linked so closely to others’? These are the questions at the heart of Jonathan Safran Foer’s first novel in eleven years—a work of extraordinary scope and heartbreaking intimacy. Unfolding over four tumultuous weeks in present-day Washington, D.C., Here I Am is the story of a fracturing family in a moment of crisis.

A riveting portrait of the Gold Rush, by the award-winning author of Down the Great Unknown and The Forger's Spell. In the spring of 1848, rumors began to spread that gold had been discovered in a remote spot in the Sacramento Valley. A year later, newspaper headlines declared "Gold Fever!" as...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST NOVELS OF THE YEAR BY Slate Daily Candy St. Louis Post-Dispatch The Guardian (U.K.) “Novelists get called master storytellers all the time, but Sittenfeld really is one. . . . What might be most strikingly excellent about Sisterland...

New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice A riveting narrative about the biggest earthquake in North American recorded history—the 1964 Alaska earthquake that demolished the city of Valdez and swept away the island village of Chenega—and the geologist who hunted for clues to explain how...

The thrilling, cinematic story of a community shattered by disaster—and the extraordinary woman who helped pull it back together “A powerful, heart-wrenching book, as much art as it is journalism.”—The Wall Street Journal “A beautifully wrought and profoundly joyful story of...

Driven and recklessly daring, Martin Sabater follows his lifelong dream of owning a cacao plantation in Valle del Cauca. But on the night of a spectacular gala, he disappears—and is never seen again. Now his hacienda is a budding Catholic hospital saving lives during an emerging epidemic. And novice nun “Sor Puri” is there to uncover the truth behind Martin’s disappearance. But her real identity—and her past with the heartbreakingly charismatic Martin—will put far more than her perilous search at risk.

In this addition to the What Was? series, kids will experience what it was like to be in San Francisco in 1906 when the ground buckled in a major, catastrophic earthquake. One early April morning in 1906, the people of San Francisco were jolted awake by a mammoth earthquake—one that registered...

When an American Diplomat is killed in Cyprus, Ben Huntley uncovers a terrorist threat to America and a Mossad agent willing to betray Israel to further the peace process. Huntley must overcome his Gulf War demons, warm to his new partner, Artemis Nelson and get a second chance at life. The manhunt leads to Morocco and the Canary Islands where a landslide triggers the apocalypse that may destroy America. The threat is real; the question is when it will occur.

The Science of Earthquakes: Why They Happen and How They’re Measured is a compelling, accessible guide to one of nature’s most powerful and awe-inspiring forces. Whether you're a curious listener, student, or lifelong science enthusiast, this book breaks down the mysteries behind seismic activity in clear, engaging language—without oversimplifying the fascinating complexity of how our planet moves.

On the morning of April 18, 1906, most of the residents of the city of San Francisco were sound asleep when the ground started to shake. But what started as fairly soft tremors turned into a violent shaking in all directions. The roar of the earthquake unquestionably woke up residents, at least those fortunate enough not to be immediately swallowed by the cracks opening up in the ground.

AN EPIC TALE OF VOLCANIC CATASTROPHE. Mount Rainier is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on earth because of its awe-inspiring size and close proximity to the population centers of Seattle and Tacoma. What if this primordial giant were to erupt—tomorrow? Thomas P. Hopp vividly portrays the all-too-possible day when the mountain unleashes its pent-up fury. Enter a world gone mad with explosions that dwarf nuclear bombs, giant mudflows, choking ashfalls, and spouting red-hot lava. Flee in desperation with mountain climbers caught in the first outbursts. Experience one family’s struggle ...

No one ever expects a disaster to strike. If you knew it was coming, you’d take precautions and plan ahead. The assumption is that most people who live in California are somewhat inclined to be equipped; perhaps a backup generator in the garage, extra food in the cupboards, or a stash of money hidden away for emergency evacuations. In Serena Guadalupe’s case, she would’ve been better prepared if she’d only been carrying a book of matches or a lighter in her pocket. When Serena wakes up on a deserted beach, the only thing she’s sure of is that she is no longer home. The sand is ...

Tras un proceso de selección en apariencia sencillo, Diego Pirita comienza a trabajar como recepcionista en un hotel de paso. Las primeras instrucciones que recibe dejan una cosa en claro: sin importar lo que ocurra, una de las habitaciones debe mantenerse siempre desocupada para recibir a un cliente distinguido. Podría llegar en los próximos minutos o podría llegar dentro de muchos años. Lo único seguro es que no avisará.