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.

Outstanding Work Of Reporting

I began reading the book, but quickly switched to audible so I could close my eyes and visualize what I was hearing. One of the most mentally stimulating, captivating impacting books I’ve encountered. The depth and scope of research is most impressive.

What a great story!

Is McCullough the greatest historical storyteller of the 20th century? This book helps make the case.

The story has a tremendous sense of foreboding, which is appropriate. You could definitely teach many life and business lessons from its contents.

At the same time, when it came to the actual flood, McCullough inserts some hope and even levity into the horror. There is light in the darkness, and that is a sign of a master storyteller.

I'm happy to add this audiobook to my family's collection!

Outstanding telling of the historic Johnstown flood

Great story, great reader. I’m now desperately looking for more books with the same author and reader.

Drags a little at the beginning, but gets much better

I almost gave up on this book a couple of times in the first 1.5 to 2 hours. It kept bogging down in so many details and backstory that I had to set it aside a couple of times in frustration, just wanting it to get to the actual event. I'm glad I came back, though, because once it took off, it got really good and was a very compelling and quick read after that all the way to the end. I'm writing this review for anyone else who's struggling to stick with it and impatient for things to start moving. Hang in there. It will get better at about the 2 hour mark.

The only other thing to say is that I wish there had been a PDF or reference file with some maps and images, as there undoubtedly were in the print book.

Must-read for history buffs

He sure knows how to weave history with interesting personal stories, I grew up in the valley and thought I knew all about the flood, but I learned so much through this book!6

We are saddened by narrator's demise 12/2015

McCullough always does great work, and not only because of meticulous research. He is well able to bring history to life, and Ed Hermann was skilled at projecting that ability.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Phenomenal research

I was interested in this book because my mother was born and raised in Johnstown and lived thru the 1936 flood. But the 1889 flood was the more disastrous one and, thus, more famous. I had memories of visiting my grandparents in the 1960s before they died and was curious to read about the topic. I enjoyed learning about the background and history of Johnstown and loved the references to Lincoln Street where my grandparents lived at 231. The author did such extensive research into the history and into everything about the flood. The reader gets a vivid picture of all the events. The narrator did an excellent job too.

Awesome insight on history!

Great explanation of how this could have been avoided. Shows how everyone assumed others were responsible for their actions when they weren't!!!

David McCullough at His Best

I found it riveting and kept making excuses to listen a little more. A great book.

A lesson in History

Very detailed account of one of the most devastating disasters in American history.
I had never heard of the Johnstown flood. It is something we should not forget.