AudioFile Reviews : AudioFile Reviews 2003 August/September If you're looking for drama, you'll certainly find it here. With a volcanic explosion heard 3,000 miles away and a related tsunami that killed close to 40,000 people, there's plenty of excitement for the thrill-seeker. Win-chester, author of the bestselling THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN, adroitly juggles a plethora of subjects, from the Dutch spice trade in colonial Java to the science of tectonic plates, creating a fascinating look at one of history's most cataclysmic disasters. Despite his BBC tone, Winchester manages a dry and ironic delivery, very much in keeping with his writing style. But the main point of interest when the dust has settled is the far-flung ramifications of this eruption upon world events. This is a winner. D.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews - Audio And Video Online Reviews 1991-2018 *Starred Review* Winchester is that felicitous rarity--a terrific writer who is also an expert reader. His slight British accent and clear and precise enunciation guide listeners though the historic account of one of the most horrific natural disasters in recorded history. On August 27, 1883, the erupting volcano Krakatoa destroyed the island bearing its name. More than 35,000 people perished. Winchester's seeming digressions into the science of plate tectonics, the Dutch abandonment of Indonesian colonies, and the rise of Islam in the region are demonstrably central to the understanding of the cause and unexpected results of this catastrophe. Both reading and writing are impeccable. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.
Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2002 December #1 Everyone's favorite geologist takes on a volcanic eruption that killed nearly 40,000 people and changed the climate for years. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews September #1 In 1883, Krakatoa, the largest volcanic eruption in modern history, killed thousands, caused worldwide climactic changes, and induced massive political and social upheaval in Java. Noted science writer Winchester tackles this interesting subject in his usual eclectic and charming manner. Geology, history, biology, and politics all play a role. From 16th-century European merchant invaders to 19th-century evolutionary theorist Henry Wallace to 20th-century magnetic pole data from Greenland, the author has compiled and organized massive amounts of data. The result is a fascinating picture of the Krakatoa disaster, from causes to consequences. Competently read by the author (with an occasional chuckle in his voice), Krakatoa would be an excellent choice for moderate to large public library collections.-I. Pour-El, Des Moines Area Community Coll., Boone, IA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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