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it just couldn‘t keep my attention. Much of the book was just not that interesting to me, especially before the flood hit and after. The flood itself and people‘s stories of what happened during was a bit better, but not great. I have read one other book by this author and it seems I was underwhelmed reading it, too; that one, I listened to and wasn‘t sure if it was the writing or the topic, ... cont in comments...

Few people do nonfiction as well as McCullough. This one reminds me of Isaac‘s Storm, both chronicles a real disaster that rocks a small town. The destruction caused by the event itself and the aftermath were fascinating. More than 2,000 people were killed when the dam broke. I love the way he captures the small moments, like a girl watching ducks swim in the water just before the wave hits. This tragedy was news around the world at the time.

I wanted to listen to this old favorite again after I heard about the death of David McCullough. He does such a great job telling about this tragedy I almost felt like the skin on my feet was wrinkled from the flood water. #RIP

RIP author and historian David McCullough.
This is the first of his books that I read as a Litsy buddy read. It is also the first book he wrote. This was a fascinating tragic story.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2022/08/08/David-McCullough-dies-Pi...

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Since it's almost time for another #staycationintimeswap. I thought I would read one of my books from last year. Thanks again, @Chrissyreadit. I highly recommend the Johnstown Flood.
It's obvious the author does extensive research in his novels. I will definitely read more by him.

A horrible tragedy is retold in this book in a way it seems more fiction than real life. Human error and lack of oversight led to the death of thousands and the ruination of multiple towns.

In his debut book, historian David McCullough records the events of the flood that stuck Johnstown, PA, on May 31, 1889. The book is very concise, detailed, and well-paced. McCullough does a fantastic job of starting with the history of the infamous South Fork dam and its failure. He then follows the wall of water down though the valley, almost like it's a character, interacting with many people along the way. The aftermath is also discussed.

Listening to Edward Herman narrate this book on a blustery snow day....pure bliss!

I finished this book 4 months ago for #Johnstownread. This was my third book by McCullough and probably my favorite of the three. McCullough gives plenty of information that helped me to better understand all of the factors that made the flood so disastrous.

#30junebooks - day 13 - made you cry. •
This history of the Johnstown flood was so good and so infuriating. The destruction made me cry, because it could have been avoided, if the rich sailing club had maintained their dam better!

Amazingly, this is my least favorite of McCullough‘s books I‘ve read, but it‘s still good - the beginning didn‘t completely capture me. But, McCullough verbally paints a picture of horror and fear and devastation that is shocking. It‘s a testament to the power of nature, as well as arguably the power of greed. Recommended. Finished for #JohnstownRead and this also fits (sadly) #SomethingWithADeath for #Nonfiction2019 .

#friYAYintro
1) view from my front porch.
2) Adore where I live; wonderful neighbors,pub, walks by Farmington River, an old cemetery that has headstones dating back in 1700s, over a bridge, a nearby gorge-
3)The tagged book
4)Read most often in evenings & before bed. Only can read mornings on weekends.
5)Tortellini Carbonara & salad

Today‘s the day for discussion! I‘m going to post the questions under the spoiler. Admittedly, these are questions from the LitLovers website. I use this site a lot for my library book discussions. Sorry - I like crafting discussion questions on Litsy, but life‘s a little crazy at the moment!

Big thank you to everyone who joined in on #JohnstownRead . I loved reading the posts!

Wow! I am so glad I joined in on the #johnstownread! I had only ever read one other book by David McCullough, The Path Between the Seas, which I found to be kind of tedious. This book was anything but tedious. I was riveted! McCullough‘s description of the flood was so vivid I felt like I was watching a movie. Will definitely read more of him now!

@kspenmoll @Reviewsbylola @Mdargusch @Librarybelle @IamIamIam

Such a preventable tragedy happened in the mountains of Pennsylvania when a man made damn broke, washing away towns and cities in the path of the crashing water once held behind it. Thousands of people died in 1889 due to negligence of some of the rich and powerful that were responsible for the damn. The author does a great job telling the stories of the people before, during, and after the flood.
#johnstownread

I have 10 minutes before my first meeting of the day. Just enough time to finish a chapter. #johnstownread

#johnstownread

This wasn‘t my favorite book, but I think I wasn‘t in the right mindset to devote it the concentration needed. There are a lot of narratives to follow, a lot of geography to follow, and some of the engineering was over my head. That said, the scope of this was perfect. The only thing I would have changed was I would have liked more information at the end as to how the cities rebuilt themselves and what happened in the meantime.

#coffeeandbooks #Saturdaymorning #sunshine #CapeCod
At the Cape-it‘s been way too long. My parents house is going on the market so I am savoring this weekend here with my sister. The sun just broke through so we are off for a walk in the beach after coffee.

Ok so I finally started this one for #johnstownread.

The first two chapters were difficult for me to get through. I‘ll admit that I care very little about the building, maintenance, and purposes of a dam. My dear, I just don‘t give a damn. 🤷🏼‍♀️

But chapter 3 is starting off with the night before the flood and I‘m hoping this is where it picks up, literally and figuratively.

#JohnstownRead #ClaraBarton #AmericanRedCross

#JohnstownRead
Estimate is that over 2,000 people died in this May 31,1889 catastrophic flood.The South Fork Dam on the Little Conemaugh River 14 miles upstream of the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, broke after days of heavy rain. About 14.55 million cubic meters of water were released, basically destroying Johnstown.The author‘s naming of people, their occupations, families, etc., rather than just numbers of dead,makes this tragedy more real.

#JohnstownRead #Saturdaynight #Reading #nonfiction
Reading on couch with hubby, with TV news in the background.

#JohnstownRead #Fridaynight #readinginbed #buddyread
#fridaynightbookclub

I couldn‘t be happier to spend the evening relaxing on the couch with a new book. Have a good weekend, Littens! #JohnstownRead

#JohnstownRead

An incredible story of an enormous tragedy that I had never heard of! Thanks to @Librarybelle and @LauraAM for hosting a discussion or I'd never have found this! Crazy enough, I found there were TWO other Johnstown floods, in 1936 and 1977! 😳 The best part of this book was the true spirit of kindness that showed in Johnstown's time of need and it warmed my heart.
#johnstownread

Yo Libby... chill the freak out!!!! First she's threatening me that 2 people are waiting and now, she's breathing down my neck because I JUST finished the damn book!!!!! She's like the digital library police!!!

#JohnstownRead
In 1961 when David McCullough was just 27, he happened by old photographs on a table in the Prints and Photos Division of the Library of Congress. He was told these were photos taken by a man who got over the mountains into what was left of the town a day after the flood.So just by chance, the idea of this book his first, was born.

This innocent childhood dinner game made me smile. 😀

#JohnstownFlood #Maps #JohnstownRead

Opened this book to this map. ❤️

?? Not my finest moment but McCullough keeps talking about Carnegie and the "Coke Kings". I convinced myself it definitely wasn't Coca-Cola, especially because of the time period, but the visual in my head of a jaunty old fella with a glass bottle of Coke pops up every time I hear it!
#johnstownread @Librarybelle @Lauram

Another uplifting, feel good story! 😂😂

I'm starting to see the reason why people read chick lit, cozy mysteries and romance novels with tattooed guys on the cover....

#johnstownread @Librarybelle @lauram

As a follow up to our #JARead, @Librarybelle and I are going to continue with another book by the incredibly talented American writer, David McCullough. Please join us as we read this book through February and use #JohnstownRead for any posts so we can follow along.

@IamIamIam @BridgetteM @Reviewsbylola I‘m so glad you‘ll be reading!

I can‘t believe I forgot to repost this! Anyone interested in reading this book by McCullough? We‘re using #JohnstownRead for our posts, and discussion will take place the beginning of March.

@Lauram and I will be reading The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough in the next couple weeks...anyone want to join us?

Because February is a short month, we‘ll read during the month of February, and I‘ll post discussion questions on March 1. Use #JohnstownRead for any posts so we can all follow along!

Even growing up less than two hours from Johnstown, and visiting many times for hockey games, I knew very little about the flood. After listening to this, I want to learn more.

Great audiobook. Enjoyed Edward Herrman‘s narration. A bit of history that I didn‘t know about. This book came highly recommended and I‘ll pass it along with the same praise. This terrible flood was caused by negligence of powerful men. So much tragedy that could have been avoided. #audiobook

As always McCullough writes an engaging retelling of the great Johnstown Flood in exceptional detail. After torrential rains the South Fork Dam located 14 miles upriver from Johnstown failed! The wall of water, traveling 40 miles an hour and reaching 60 feet high in places hit Johnstown in 57 mins! Property damage today would be 453 million dollars. Wonderful writing with a nice balance of facts and human interest.

Just finished this book for our February book club. I first heard of Johnstown when I read a book to my daughter for her homeschool history. What devastation! Wonderful book about this piece of history.

Great book, great narrator. I just finished listening to the Audible version while working at my spinning wheel.

#rain #jubilantjuly

listening to some hometown history

A frightening lesson in civil engineering and the impact we make when unqualified people manipulate nature. It's a lesson to be heeded and draws some striking parallels to today's bureaucracy.

Prof & Filmmaker, Billy T.: "McCullough's 2 PP-winning biographies on former presidents Truman & Adams are usually how most people know him. But every author, fiction or non, started somewhere: his '68 inaugural history/bio of a non-person 'The Johnstown Flood.' He who many deem America's #1 historian, had the literary skills right off the bat to weave primary sources together, illustrating the catastrophe that PA town experienced." #BestBookRead

Library book sale! Final price $10 😀📚💗