Search - Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded, August 27, 1883

As usual, Simon Winchester has written a solid, interesting, educational book about a fascinating historical/scientific event. I enjoyed it overall, and certain parts - particularly the chapters that described the actual volcano and the aftermath - were quite exciting. Still, I think Winchester's books are getting a little formulaic, and they could use more editing. This is good book to pass the time on an airplane ride or a day off.

Full of fascinating information, some of it even related to Krakatoa! The author meanders a lot when he writes, and I suspect plagiarizes his own work.
Book written in 2003, he states early on that "Probably... it will be many years... before anything will befall the world...that will be as terrible as what took place..[at Krakatoa]..", yet the next year in the same part of the world almost 10 times as many people died in the tsunami as died in the 1883 explosion.

Fascinating, but not his best. Do check review in Science Magazine questioning some of his conclusions.

Excellent account of an historical event and the underlying geology which caused it. In addition, the author goes into the social upheaval resulting from this devastating eruption. I strongly recommend this book and others by this author (The book Atlantic is equally fascinating)

Extremely factual and detailed account of the modern world's most intense volcanic eruption in 1883. For those not of a scientific bent, the reading can become a bit dry.

Fascinating and detailed account of this historic event. Well written.