November 1, 2003
Gr 5-9-An interesting look at nine disasters. The readable text describes each occurrence and discusses how the course of history was affected by it, and to what degree. Events range from the devastating asteroid impact some 65 million years ago to the kamikaze winds that foiled invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 and the apocalyptic storm that staggered Edward III's army on the fields of France in 1360. Colorful illustrations, many full page, accompany the text, which ends with the what-if effects of global warming. A slim, oversized serving of food for thought-and for meaningful classroom discussions.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from December 1, 2003
Gr. 5-8. "We live on a dangerous planet." To emphasize that point, Barnard's fascinating offering begins with a heavily dotted world map that denotes significant natural disasters, "just the big ones." Following an overview of the ways natural disasters have influenced history, Barnard takes a closer look at nine of those calamities (and one looming disaster), the effects of which are occasionally still felt today. He begins with information on the meteor that killed the dinosaurs and follows with a discussion of a tsunami that destroyed the Minoan culture, ensuring that the culture of the warlike Mycenaeans would be handed down through the Greeks. The Aksum, sub-Saharan Africa's most important civilization, was ended by a drought. A blizzard paralyzing New York City led to the construction of an all-weather, traffic-proof transit system--underground. Barnard describes these events and more in an absorbing narrative that includes touches of humor. The oversize format allows for full-page paintings that portray the height of the disaster as well as space for maps and smaller pieces of art. Teachers will find many uses for this, but the book is so engaging it will also attract browsers--and hold them. A bibliography of books and Web sites is included, but a source list would have been helpful.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2004
Barnard describes nine disasters ranked as influential in changing history, such as the Yucatan asteroid that may have wiped out the dinosaurs. The informative text is accompanied by dramatic art and by maps clearly locating the disasters. But the selection seems somewhat capricious, the joking tone of the headings ("Ka-boom!" "Sayonara to all that") is inappropriate, and the sentences are often long and complex. Websites. Bib., glos.
(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)