★★★★
GENRE: History
SUBJECT: Disaster at Johnstown
Setting: Johnstown PA
DATE READ: February 9 - February 16
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpile
PLOT:...............................................4.50
CHARACTERIZATION:..................3.50
TOPICS:...........................................4.00
STYLE:.............................................4.25
ORIGINALITY:..................................3.75
ADDICTIVENESS:.........................3.50
OWNERSHIP:.................................3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:................3.75
Average.........................................................................3.84
Near Johnstown PA there was a earth and wood dam which had been built to augment the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, a resort spot favored by members Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and other tycoons of the 19th century. However, the construction was poorly executed, maintaince was not ongoing so that conditions deteriorated and later alterations severely jeopardized the strucure. Then in spring of 1889, the Johnstown area was hit with more rain than normal, the dam which had started to leak, broke and the town and residents were swept away.
One would think that would be the story and nothing further, but Mr. McCollough manages to take the dry historical facts and with interviews from actual witnesses, weaves a story that captivates the reader.
I listened to an audio version narrated by Edward Hermann - this was the perfect match of voice and tale. Together Mr McCollough and Mr. Hermann could probably turn training manuals into must reads!
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