Dark Tide

The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919

By: Stephen Puleo

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Around noon on January 15, 1919, a group of firefighters were playing cards in Boston's North End when they heard a tremendous crash. It was like, "a roaring surf," one of them said later. Like, "a runaway two-horse team smashing through a fence," said another. A third firefighter jumped up from his chair to look out a window - "Oh my God!" he shouted to the other men, "Run!" A 50-foot-tall steel tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses had just collapsed on Boston's waterfront, disgorging its contents as a 15-foot-high wave of molasses that at its outset traveled at 35 miles an hour. It demolished wooden homes, even the brick fire station. The number of dead wasn't known for days. It would be years before a landmark court battle determined who was responsible for the disaster.

©2003, 2004 Stephen Puleo (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Absolutely fascinating read

I knew nothing about Boston’s Molasses Flood until I received a Boston Grand Master’s Ultimate Disc t-shirt from one of its players. “Slow & Sticky” it read. “We are named after Boston’s North End Molasses Disaster,” he said.

I googled the subject and Dark Tide popped up, with excellent reviews. Who knew such an amazing story would become known to me because my nephew plays high level Ultimate Disc? I am forever grateful!

Not only did I learn about the horrendous flood of sweet and sticky stuff that drown or killed 21 Bostonians in 1915, but I became more knowledgeable regarding 10 years of American history and attitudes from that period. I appreciate the depth and care this author poured into researching this story. It is both a devastating and an important read.

Dark Tide is about the great Molasses flood of 1919. Very interesting since many people are not aware this occurred.

I enjoyed the historical information about the history of the molasses tank which held 2.3 million gallons of molasses! The eruption of the tank killed 21 people & dozens were injured & traumatized from this horrific event. I did not like the length of time the author spent describing the pain & agony suffered by the many people killed & injured by the eruption of the molasses tank.

Excellent

Wonderful choice of stories to write. Wonderful balance of story and history. Well worth listening to.

Intriguing!

I hated books like this as a young adult. But I could’t get enough of this book! A lot of attention to detail, so much I could smell and taste everything.

Great performance by Grover Gardner.

Legend, tragedy, and hubris

I'd always heard this as a bit of light and whimsical trivia, and always associated it with the chocolate flood at the end of James & The Giant Peach. But in reality this was a fantastically tragic story of American capitalistic hubris.
The people who died in the 1917 Boston Molasses Disaster died horribly. Some of the victims were children.
Although a tad repetitive in places, this is a definitive narrative of an American Industrial tragedy. Fascinating read, well crafted, and well paced. Very accessible.

Hard to stop listening

The author gives great insight to many aspects of history between 1915 and 1925. He helps you to understand the lives of immigrants and their mistreatment. The activities of anarchists echo terrorism of today. The devastation that occurred on a cold winter day due to lax oversight is a heart wrench yet exciting story that should be included in history classes. Highly recommend.

Amazing narrative on a pivotal moment in Boston's

If you like books like Bill Bryson's "One Summer, 1927" then you will enjoy this well written book on the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. Ties in perfect all key considerations of what led to this tragedy, and the changes to national building codes in its aftermath.

What a story - so hard to believe this happened

This book isn't just about the actual Molasses Flood, it is a history lesson of before, during, and after. I was captivated from beginning to end. I was angry that it even happened and feel the same way when companies today are negligent.

The company tried to blame Anarchists, many of whom were Italian. There were a lot of Italian immigrants in the North End of Boston.

The tank was by the water in a mixed commercial and residential area. Ships would bring the molasses from the West Indies. The molasses this tank held was usually used for industrial alcohol. But with World War I over, and Prohibition coming, the company planned to make alcohol for consumption. They loaded the tank. Then the chaos came as the tank failed.

The trial for this lasted over two years. There is a lot of the book dedicated to the trial. It does bring the book down to a 4.5 but I'm giving it 5.

A fantastic story

Who would have thought that a story about molasses from 1919 would be relative to the geopolitical landscape of 2016? This story is intriguing and touches on several variables that are currently playing out in these United States. This book is a great story and a good telling of it.

Just amazing history

As a middle aged woman who grew up in neighboring southern NH my family has rich ties to Boston as both places of employment and enrichment, I am saddened that this part of history has remained in the dark. Hurray to you Stephen Puleo for all your research and a well written book. To all the families who this has affected, my deepest condolences and wishes for a bright future!