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More copies of this ISBN:This title in other formats:Curse of the Narrowsby Laura Macdonald
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:The dramatic story of one of the greatest disasters in history.
In 1917, the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was crowded with ships leaving for war-torn Europe. On December 6, two of them — the Mont Blanc and the Imo — collided in the Narrows, a hard-to-navigate stretch of the harbor. The blast caused a giant wave that swept over parts of the city, followed by a slick, black rain that fell for ten minutes. In the end, more than sixteen hundred Haligonians were killed and six thousand injured; and within twenty-four hours, a blizzard had isolated Halifax from the world. Set vividly against the background of World War I, Curse of the Narrows is the first major account of the world's largest pre-atomic explosion, the epic relief mission from Boston, and the riveting trial of the Mont Blanc's captain and pilot. Using primary sources — many of which haven't been read in decades — and with a wonderful feel for narrative history, Mac Donald chronicles one of the most compelling and dramatic events of the twentieth century. Review:"Reading Curse of the Narrows is not unlike following coverage of Hurricane Katrina: the account of the initial disaster holds us riveted...there is a present-day resonance to all parts of this tale." Neil Genzlinger, New York Times Book Review Review:"Curse of the Narrows is a story of a forgotten tragedy, meticulously researched, and a reminder, if one were still needed, of the necessity to prepare for the unforeseeable as well as the foreseen." Leonard Boasberg, Philadelphia Inquirer Review:"Mac Donald is a cracking-good storyteller, and she's written the definitive account of the disaster and its relief — commemorated to this day by Halifax's annual donation of a Christmas tree to Boston." Andrew Rimas, Boston Magazine Review:"Laura M. MacDonald, a native Haligonian, has produced probably the definitive reconstruction of events that day...MacDonald's attempt to overlay a narrative structure to portray messy human events succeeds handsomely." Neal Matthews, San Diego Union Tribune Review:"Mac Donald, a Halifax native, has crafted a fine account of the disaster, solidly balanced between the onrushing sweep of events and their growing impact on survivors and witnesses." Michael Kenney, Boston Globe Review:"Compelling...[Curse of the Narrows] brings to light a shocking and fascinating disaster — one that many people will be surprised they've never heard of." Cherie Parker, Minneapolis Star Tribune Review:"Well-constructed tale of a horrific unnatural disaster...A scarifying portrait." Kirkus Reviews Review:"A minute-by-minute account of the disaster. She describes how many of the people miraculously survived [and] the extraordinary relief efforts....Her book captures in vivid detail the history of this catastrophe." Booklist Synopsis:Before Hiroshima, there was Halifax. In 1917 the busy Canadian port was crowded with ships leaving for war-torn Europe. On December 6, two of them, the Mont Blanc and the Imo, collided in the hard-to-navigate Narrows of the harbor. Within minutes, the Mont Blanc, ablaze, grounded against the city's docks. The explosion that followed would devastate the city and shock the world.
Set against the background of World War I, Curse of the Narrows is the first major account of the world's largest pre-atomic explosion that set in motion a remarkable relief effort originating from Boston. About the AuthorLaura M. Mac Donald is the author of several books and has written and produced award winning television programs and one feature film. A native of Halifax, she lives in New York City. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!
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