Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson

Introduction

"An absurd delusion," is how Isaac Cline, a dedicated and highly trained first-generation employee of the new U.S. Weather Bureau, characterized the fear that any hurricane posed a serious danger to the burgeoning city of Galveston, Texas. Based partly on Cline's expert opinion, Galveston dismissed a proposal to erect a seawall, claiming it a needless, wasteful expense. In 1900, Cline's words reflected not only his own opinion but also the spirit what would one day be seen as the hubris of his time (Bolster p.46).

Author information

Erik Larson's research has taken him to exotic locales, and down innumerable ...