The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

Final Rating: 4/5

  
Tragedy and Controversy in the Valley

   The more you read about the Johnstown Flood that happened May 31, 1889; all the more profound sadness descends on the events and aftermath of the tragedy. To this day steeped in controversy, the Great Flood of 1889 (or the Johnstown Flood) is widely known if not recognized as the most significant disaster of the 19th century that involved an industrious valley in Pennsylvania that was decimated in under an hour after the collapse of a dam that was at that time serving as a sportsman's lake for the elite and powerful. Immediately many questions and issues jump forward regarding that ill-fated Friday afternoon especially who was wholly responsible for the lose and devastation of so many lives? Were these horrific series of events preventable in anyway? Were there any warning signs before the dam collapsed? With these and other questions in mind, Johnstown Flood by David McCullough takes the reader right back to before and after the disaster and presents both sides of events, letting his audience come to their own conclusions.

   Alternating between views from on top of the mountain and down below in the valley, the facts flow thick as the author introduces names that are forever attached to that May afternoon. Details concerning weather conditions, social lives, economy, geography etc. are also shared in a paced voice that goes over basically every aspect and topic above and below the South Fork Dam. It may take a little more patience than some are willing to give, but please don't give up on this book because once the foundation of meticulous research is set down then this title can read at times as a riveting novel and finishes quite fascinating and thought-provoking. It certainly felt that way for this reader but I will the first to admit the leaping forward and back of time, subjects and minute facts became a little monotonous and at a few times frustrating but it was well worth slowing down and understanding all sides of arguments by the final page. I will also admit the small collection of maps and pictures placed at the end were somewhat disappointing in this book, but somehow that negative oddly appealed to my love of personal research and I found some amazing photographs and maps in my own search. On that line, it may help those interested to print out a larger period map of Pennsylvania to follow along with the vivid portions of this narrative. The reality of events and magnitude of loss will also become apparent for the reader with the closing pages that many may agree pays an appropriate somber tribute and lists the 2,209 reasons the Johnstown Flood should never be forgotten.

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