The Johnstown Flood (GD)

by Jim Gallagher

Book Overview

On May 31, 1889, an earthen dam in the mountains above Johnstown, Pennsylvania, gave way, releasing a 20-million-ton wall of water that brought a nightmare of death and destruction. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791052664
• ISBN13: 9780791052662
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications
• Length: 119 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.4" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 11 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 12

Customer Reviews

Swept Away: The best digest on the Johnstown Flood

After a brief visit to the Johnstown Flood National Park in Pennsylvania, I started digging at my local library for books and videos. I found this book, which was also for sale in the Park gift shop.I found this to be very readable. Lots of photos and illustrations that broke up what could have been a very dry, but dramatic text... as a result, this book works for BOTH kids and adults. It frequently refers back to the definitive work from 1968, David McCullough's "Johnstown Flood"... but is a much briefer book designed to tell all sides of the story and illustrates it as well.From the graphic cover painting, to the wide margins and easy to read type face, this book has been positioned to stand on most school library shelves.... The only problem is that it won't stay there long enough for you to find it.A fine gift for those of any age who are interested in the Greatest Flood disaster in the USA, that helped to launch the American Red Cross to national prominence.Definitely consider this book! Reasonably priced, very accessable, recently published in 2000.*(Now, I'm looking for the other books in the series....)Enjoy!PS: I also found the PBS America Experience "The Johnstown Flood" video and thought it did a WONDERFUL job of telling the tale... with emphasis on the life around the lake and townspeople's lives BEFORE the flood. The actually depiction of the flood is fairly short, and comes late in the program, but very worth waiting for. The original short 20 minute documentary won an academy award, and the hour-long expanded video will not disappoint. WARNING: Avoid the Descriptive Audio for the visually handicapped version, unless you need help. The skillful narration sandwiched between the original narrator's voice is distracting and spoils the mood. [David McCullough does a stand-up intro and close at the National Park display too!) But do watch any version you can find at your library, or order it from Public Broadcasting Service or your local station.!!!!)

A book that presents the story well to young readers.

The 1889 Johnstown Flood is a story that is frequently difficult to tell to children, but with this book, Mr. Gallagher succeeds.He tells the story honestly, and, most importantly, he does not "dumb down" the story.Text is well researched and presented, and the illustrations are expertly chosen.After using this book, which both kids and adults should enjoy, the reader will have a true appreciation for why the Johnstown Flood is such a significant story, and one that cannot be forgotten.