Blizzard! The Storm that Changed America

By: Jim Murphy

Narrated by: Taylor Mali

Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

On March 12, 1888, hurricane-force winds and unrelenting snow began to bring the East Coast, from Virginia to Maine, to its knees. During the next three days, the Great Blizzard raged out of control, devastating every community in its path.

Through the eyes and words of survivors and victims alike, as well as the careful research for which Newberry Honor Award winner Jim Murphy is known, listeners will experience one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history and understand why, from that day on, life in the United States was forever changed.

For family listening, ages 8 and up.

©2000 Jim Murphy (P)2002 Audio Bookshelf

Critic Reviews

"Brings listeners back to the day two storms converged...accounts of survivors and victims provide a captivating blend of gravity, immediacy and drama." (Publishers Weekly)

Timeless Tale

This is a well written report on the freak blizzard that covered the Northeast in 1888 and brought about changes in the law and in people's habits. Power lines were buried; garbage and manure were no longer allowed to he dumped in the streets and more responsibility was required from the factory owners for their employees welfare. There were stories of fortitude and occasional gallantry as well as a few of sociopaths in human form. Though 125 years have passed many circumstances seem similar to today. Natural disasters serve to remind us that for all of technological advances in our world we're never exempt from the laws of nature. Hurricanes Eileen or Sandy demonstrated that in the northeast in 2011 and 2012. I lived in Boston in the eighties where the blizzard of 1978 had already become legend. It's apropos that nature reminds us occasionally that our power is limited.

Stormy Weather...

Each generation endures Storms of the Century that are promptly forgotten by succeeding generations. This book takes you into the heart of New York and New England for a breath taking tour of a storm that challenged the way we did things back in the late 19th century. One can feel the snap of the wind or the bitterness of the cold in the prose as well as the reading. A fine short read.

Worth a listen

I have a great interest in weather, so his lack of information as it related to accumulations of snow, left me a bit empty in the end. Having said that, the author does a wonderful job placing you in the position of each character. Why they decided to go out, why they stayed, and when they risked life to help others. It was a enjoyable, and when the memory of details in the story fade, I will listen to it again.

Wow!

I was on the edge of my seat at times and couldn't put this story down. I loved the details in this story.

Put on a sweater.

This is a good historical look at how difficult the weather made life in the past. I grew up with blizzards, but in a rural midwestern area. This looked at blizzards in the city. I liked it.

It Has an Issue that Makes it Stand Out for the Wrong Reason

Overall well done. However there are moments where you can tell the author took some creative liberties with some real people’s last minutes alive. And having listened to a couple of other audiobooks recounting disasters now who don’t start getting creative with that. Makes this one stand out and not for the right reason. Most just leave with last seen alive and then skip to body recovery. And that would have been much preferred because these were real people. So yeah. Really wish the author didn’t do that.

Easy to listen to

Documentaries and history can be dull, and full of too many uninteresting details, but not this one. It was sprinkled with many interesting little tidbits, and experiences of individuals that brought the story to life. I loved it.

Blizzard that Affected the East Coast

An interesting and informative account of a Blizzard that did indeed change America. Facts are interwoven with individual stories to create an account of how this storm affected people, places and things. Beautifully narrated by Taylor Mali with just the right vocal reflections. Worth your time.