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The Big Ones
The Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us (and What We Can Do About Them) | Lucy Jones
11 posts | 12 read | 7 to read
By the world-renowned seismologist, a riveting history of natural disasters, their impact on our culture, and new ways of thinking about the ones to come Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanoes--they stem from the same forces that give our planet life. Earthquakes give us natural springs; volcanoes produce fertile soil. It is only when these forces exceed our ability to withstand them that they become disasters. Together they have shaped our cities and their architecture; elevated leaders and toppled governments; influenced the way we think, feel, fight, unite, and pray. The history of natural disasters is a history of ourselves. In The Big Ones, leading seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones offers a bracing look at some of the world's greatest natural disasters, whose reverberations we continue to feel today. At Pompeii, Jones explores how a volcanic eruption in the first century AD challenged prevailing views of religion. She examines the California floods of 1862 and the limits of human memory. And she probes more recent events--such as the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and the American hurricanes of 2017--to illustrate the potential for globalization to humanize and heal. With population in hazardous regions growing and temperatures around the world rising, the impacts of natural disasters are greater than ever before. The Big Ones is more than just a work of history or science; it is a call to action. Natural hazards are inevitable; human catastrophes are not. With this energizing and exhaustively researched book, Dr. Jones offers a look at our past, readying us to face down the Big Ones in our future.
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Ephemera
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Pickpick

Did you know that there was flooding in California over the winter of 1861-62 that turned the Central Valley into a lake? Or did you know that Lisbon was destroyed in 1755 by an earthquake and fire? These are just two of the big natural disasters recounted in this book. Earth is a dangerous place, even in our modern age, but prediction isn‘t possible. Next best thing is preparation. Quite interesting and very scary.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Seismologist Jones looks at the current risks (to California in particular) while going back to past BIG natural disasters and how their impact on people were shaped by each society and their responses to the disaster. This is a completely fascinating and wholly satisfying read. I could not put it down!

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Auntynanny
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I am so happy I chose this book for Bookriot's Read Harder challenge. This book describes several natural disasters throughout history, starting with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and continuing on until the present day. It so interesting and informative!

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LauraJ
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Scariest book I‘ve ever read. Just had another jolt here in SoCal. Stacks of books and earthquakes do not mix.

imabusybee Im reading under my table 5y
JaclynW Take cover! Stay safe! 5y
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mreads
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Pickpick

Fascinating history of 11 natural disasters from the perspective of a seismologist working in risk reduction. Starts with Pompeii (probably all heard of that one) up to the 2011 Japan quake/tsunami. What happened, how people reacted and how things were often improved after. The after part is point though not overly emphasized since globally we are mostly not prepared for 'big ones' and there's an increase in severity aligned with climate change.

mreads #nonfiction2019 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa something that's been on my TBR for over one year 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa That looks very interesting! 6y
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BestOfFates
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Pickpick

A deft interweaving of history and science and the terrible impact of natural disasters on lives and psyches. I had heard great things but this definitely surpassed my expectations.

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mynamerhymes
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you have ever wondered what natural disasters do to a society, or how we can better prepare, or what is really going on to cause earthquakes, this is the book for you. I found it absolutely fascinating without being morbid or sensational. It looks at science, policy, and culture throughout history to be a call to action for a better approach to disasters.

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LauraJ
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I need a kitten for company when listening to scary books about natural disasters.
This little foster is the runt of the litter. Supposedly he‘s feral and needs socialization. I disagree. What he does need is a name.
Suggestions, Littens?
#catsoflitsy

CatLass007 Precious! 6y
BookBabe ❤️❤️😻😻😻❤️❤️ 6y
Redwritinghood Cute kitten! 6y
See All 26 Comments
Quirkybookworm Aaawww❤️❤️ 6y
Slajaunie Midnight, Cuddles, Darknight, Rex, Moose, Smudge??? 6y
BookishTrish What a boo! 6y
julesG He looks cute! 6y
LauraJ @Slajaunie Rex and Moose May suit him! The runts usually end up being overeaters. 6y
CouronneDhiver I like old people names for cats... Herman, Barney, Amos, Chester, etc. 😊 6y
Lauram My black cat is named George. It completely suits him. Feel free to use the name. 😉 6y
LauraJ @CouronneDhiver Me too! Hence Cecil. I could name him Harry or Orville after my grandfathers. 6y
CouronneDhiver Ooo! Orville is a good one 👍🏽 6y
LeahBergen We had a black cat called Gordon when I was growing up (named after the black cat my Mom had growing up 😆). 6y
Texreader 😻😻😻 6y
TheBookAddict Such a little cutie!!! 😻😻😻 Tonks, Beau, Charlie, Luna, Binx, Sylvester, or Felix. 6y
Erinreadsthebooks Ha! Totally feral. May not be able to be socialized. Looks vicious. 6y
kspenmoll So so cute! Loves your magic! 😻 6y
Sace Oooo... I love the suggestion of Binx. 6y
queerbookreader I love pets with food names!! I had three mice when I was younger all named after nuts. In a Harley Quinn comic there was a kitten named Pickles mentioned and that's the cutest name to ever give a kitten so I vote call him Pickles 💚 6y
Kappadeemom @Erinreadsthebooks Since he looks vicious, you ought to name him Sid 😂 6y
Wife I like “O” names: Otis, Omar, Oscar, Oliver...I always wanted an Opie like the son on the old Andy Griffith show. 6y
LauraJ @TheBookAddict My coworker freaked out over Tonks because that‘s her baby‘s nickname. So, Tonks it is!!! 6y
TheBookAddict 😆🙌🏽 Little Tonks is such a cutie! 😻 6y
ValerieAndBooks So cute!! 6y
rubyslippersreads Looks like the perfect reading buddy! 😻 6y
LauraJ @rubyslippersreads it takes an hour to read 10 pages with this guy around. He‘s like an Alien facehugger! 6y
63 likes1 stack add26 comments
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LauraJ
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Better late than never. My July #tbr...plus whatever top secret book shows up for #ravenmail.

RadicalReader @LauraJ when I saw the tag for raven mail I instantly thought of the iconic Edgar Alan Poe poem 6y
54 likes1 comment
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Rhondareads
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I was lucky enough to win this fantastic @DoubledayBooks Earth Day Sweepstakes.Books I cant wait to read a thermos & this bag to carry them in.I live in Southern California Lucy Jones is the face of earthquakes here whenever we have a sizable quake she is the scientist behold explains what we felt where it was located brilliant reports each time.Looking forward to reading her book The Big Ones & all the others .Great prize💕📚