The Big Ones

How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us (and What We Can Do About Them)

By: Lucy Jones

Narrated by: Lucy Jones

By the world-renowned seismologist, a riveting history of natural disasters, their impact on our culture, and new ways of thinking about the ones to come

Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanoes--they stem from the same forces that give our planet life. Earthquakes give us natural springs; volcanoes produce fertile soil. It is only when these forces exceed our ability to withstand them that they become disasters. Together they have shaped our cities and their architecture; elevated leaders and toppled governments; influenced the way we think, feel, fight, unite, and pray. The history of natural disasters is a history of ourselves.

In The Big Ones, leading seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones offers a bracing look at some of the world's greatest natural disasters, whose reverberations we continue to feel today. At Pompeii, Jones explores how a volcanic eruption in the first century AD challenged prevailing views of religion. She examines the California floods of 1862 and the limits of human memory. And she probes more recent events--such as the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and the American hurricanes of 2017--to illustrate the potential for globalization to humanize and heal.

With population in hazardous regions growing and temperatures around the world rising, the impacts of natural disasters are greater than ever before. The Big Ones is more than just a work of history or science; it is a call to action. Natural hazards are inevitable; human catastrophes are not. With this energizing and exhaustively researched book, Dr. Jones offers a look at our past, readying us to face down the Big Ones in our future.

Critic reviews

*An Amazon Best Science Book of 2018*

“In The Big Ones, Jones presents the history of natural disasters as the history of ourselves; looking back as a way to look forward.”
—Los Angeles Times

“This incredible book by leading seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones shows just how influential natural disasters are on life as we know it.”
—Chicago Review of Books (The Best Nature Writing of 2018 So Far)

“[A] bracing examination…This work could prove beneficial to all who live in an area prone to natural disasters, which is just about everyone.”
—Publishers Weekly

“For all her impressive expertise, Jones delivers a very accessible book—without sacrificing the scientific content, the text is sprinkled with relatable analogies to help readers better understand some of the more technical geological processes...Touching on environmental science, history, sustainability, plate tectonics, engineering, and design, this book is sure to have broad appeal.”
—Library Journal

“Lively and provocative.”
—Los Angeles Review of Books

“Jones is a gifted storyteller, making complex geologic concepts accessible and having fun along the way . . . And she provides hope that, when disaster strikes, communities will persevere.”
—Shelf Awareness

“Jones’ fascinating book takes a long view at natural events in order to help us understand our environment and to prepare for and survive natural disasters.”
—BookPage

“Seismologist Lucy Jones deploys arresting details to brilliant effect throughout The Big Ones.”
—Maclean’s

"The Big Ones is a timely and essential remembrance of how natural disasters have changed the world in dramatic ways. Lucy Jones is a first-rate storyteller and fine researcher."
—Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Rightful Heritage and The Great Deluge

“Nobody does a better job of explaining the science of disasters and the psychology of humans than Lucy Jones. This book is priceless—both as a history and a prophecy.”
—Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author of The Smartest Kids in the World and The Unthinkable

This book will save lives.

This book is the most concise and vivid description of the impact of the worst disasters in history and our human response, both heroic and tragic. The way forward in the last chapter is a success story and must read for all leaders in business and government.

science & history used to inform preparedness and

This was truly excellent. Very good story structure, excellent mix of narrative, history, science, personal experience, and relation to modern policy and events. I really reccomend this book.

scientific rigor combined with human interest

Historical details combined with modern science make a riveting story. The author has the deep knowledge and hands on experience and reads with a pleasant voice.

The Big Ones is a good one!

I have had a hard copy of this Dr. Lucy Jones book for years and I’ve read parts of it over and over. It’s a book with lots of really juicy parts that I just can’t get enough of. As an Angeleno, I particularly enjoy the chapters about Los Angeles. Yes, we’re still waiting for the Big One in SoCal.

I like listening to audiobooks, podcasts, etc, while doing household tasks, and usually I listen to disaster fare. Dr. Jones’ podcast episodes were excellent. And so is this book. Her delivery style of her own material is fairly dry, but pleasant to listen to. One thing I couldn’t get over is the way she says “measure” as “may-zhur”. She says she’s an Angeleno but I never knew anyone who said that who wasn’t from the Midwest or something. She also diligently always pronounces “tsunami” with the “ts” sound at the beginning, which is unusual. Maybe it’s technically correct? In Japan? But again, I’ve never heard it generally used that way before.

Of course, these are minor things, but they’re used a lot in this context. The stories themselves are excellent and they do a good job of conveying the theme of the book, explaining what Big Ones are and differentiating them from pretty big ones. It’s explained well how both individual people and cultures or societies are affected by Big Ones, and the ‘delicate’ subject of how superstitions and religions are intertwined with disasters is addressed also. I’ll be listening to this again and again!

important information - presented. too slowly

some fascinating information, could have been presented in far less time.

author goes into unexpected and unnecessary detail