Anita McKay

The basic story was interesting and seemingly well-researched (although some of the facts have been challenged). What almost drove me away was the overwritten, digressive style. There were so many huhs? until I'd read enough to ignore them. House windows open on what's described as a beautiful day, the first break in a devastating heat wave, gives a feeling of vulnerability? The sound of surrey wheels crunching on a path of crushed oyster shells is comforting? What is clear, whether intended or not, is how little we've learned since 1900. We still pile people and property into disaster-prone areas. People still steal and misuse taxpayer money. Science deniers still howl at change. I don't plan to read another of Larson's books.