The best books capturing the drama of Northeast US snowstorms - from a hopelessly obsessed meteorologist

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been obsessed with the weather.  From the third grade, I knew that I would be college-bound to get my degree in meteorology (I have two). I can still distinctly recall, as a very young boy in the early 1960s, sneaking my trusty transistor radio under the pillow, eagerly anticipating the latest update every time a snowstorm was on the horizon. And my passion for big storms—especially those of the snow variety—has only grown greater over time.  Whenever a snowstorm is occurring, I’m up every hour or so all night long “just to check the radar”—my patient, long-suffering Sweetheart (wife) will attest to that!


I wrote...

Blizzard!! The Great White Hurricane

By Timothy Minnich, Siri Shaw (editor),

Book cover of Blizzard!! The Great White Hurricane

What is my book about?

Be transported back to 1888 and experience the thrill ride of arguably the fiercest winter storm in American history: the legendary “Blizzard of ’88.” Set in an authentic depiction of late Nineteenth Century Manhattan, the saga of this monster storm, with its awesome display of nature and profound impact on those unfortunate enough to have been caught in its path, will appeal to history buffs and weather enthusiasts alike. At this story’s heart is a brilliant, young, government meteorologist, and the ingenious system he developed which enables him to predict the storm—days in advance—only to be silenced by his politically driven superior.  

Above all, though, this tale is a testament to the power of true love, unshakable faith, and the indomitable human spirit.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Northeast Snowstorms: Overview v. 1

Timothy Minnich Why did I love this book?

Meteorologists generally regard this 2004 two-volume set as the definitive tome in describing the major snowstorms which have impacted the northeastern US since colonial times. These two highly credentialed and well-known former National Weather Service experts provide a detailed analysis of each storm, along with their painstaking reconstruction of surface and upper-air pressure patterns for many of them. The result is an enormous wealth of information offered up in this 821-page magnum opus (with some 500 references) which will satisfy both the interested layperson and the seasoned professional meteorologist. 

By Paul J. Kocin, Louis W. Uccellini,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Northeast Snowstorms as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of The Blizzard of '88

Timothy Minnich Why did I love this book?

This delightful chronicle of the infamous Blizzard of 1888 and its impact upon the population of New York City was published on the storm’s 100th anniversary. Prior to penning this book, Ms. Cable authored nine others over nearly two decades—including several on American social history—and served as editor/writer for The New Yorker and Harper’s Bazaar (among other publications). In my view, this prior experience was key to her uncommon ability to consistently evoke the vivid images of the trials and tribulations experienced by numerous real-life figures (some famous), and to create a broader social context throughout the book. For these reasons, hers was among the most enjoyable accounts of the Great Blizzard I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

By Mary Cable,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Blizzard of '88 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Well-researched, well-written, and highly engaging"
- National Review

Here is the dramatic story of the Blizzard of 1888, which caused havoc up and down the East coast of the United States. Award-winning author Mary Cable recreates - in all its human and natural drama - the three-day debacle that began on the night of Sunday, March 11, 1888. We meet the heroes and villains alike as they struggle through the mounting snow and icy winds to keep the wheels of civilization from grinding to a halt. The Blizzard of 88 is a moving and dramatic history in the tradition of…


Book cover of Mighty Storms of New England: The Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Blizzards, and Floods That Shaped the Region

Timothy Minnich Why did I love this book?

Eric Fisher has been Chief Meteorologist at WBZ-TV in Boston since April 2013, and was an on-camera meteorologist for The Weather Channel before that. In this 2021 book, Fisher is able to strike the perfect balance between the “what’s so” and the “why” behind these historic storms (as well as with other types of natural disasters affecting New Englanders). This rare quality, augmented by his meticulous research of historical accounts of these events, including the impressive array of meteorological records broken along the way, enables him to present an enjoyable, educational read—especially for the interested layperson. 

By Eric P. Fisher,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mighty Storms of New England as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The New England landscape has long been battered by some of the most intense weather in US history. Discover the legendary storms that have devastated New England, including: the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 that killed 564 people; the Worcester Tornado of 1953; the Snow Hurricane of 1804 that demolished orchards and killed dozens of sailors off the coast; and the Blizzard of 1978 that brought Boston to a standstill for weeks.


Book cover of Great Blizzards of New York City

Timothy Minnich Why did I love this book?

This book is ideal for those who simply want to enjoy the plethora of great visuals which capture the splendor of New York City’s most memorable blizzards. Covering twelve such events between 1888 and 1994, this oversized book contains, by far, the greatest number of photos I have ever seen in a single compilation. Each photo’s caption also includes the source detail—something rare in most other accounts. Ample text accompanies each photo, making this a most pleasurable and informative read. 

By Kevin Ambrose,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Great Blizzards of New York City as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Great Blizzards of New York City - A 122 page book with a hardcover and dustjacket that contains blizzard history and stories for New York City, from 1888 to 1994. Illustrated throughout with beautiful, historic photos.


Book cover of Seven Superstorms of the Northeast - And Other Blizzards, Hurricanes & Tempests

Timothy Minnich Why did I love this book?

This book, with its captivating accounts of human bravery, is unmatched for sheer excitement. Turner’s vivid description of the misfortunes befalling scores of residents throughout the Northeast stems from the astonishing level of detail he garnered through dozens of interviews with survivors and meteorologists and from myriad articles he culled from over 20 newspapers dating back to 1888. Born in 1935 and a lifelong native of the Jersey shore, he is able to artfully share his childhood experiences living through three of the legendary superstorms in this superbly written and well-researched work. Even without a degree in meteorology (though once a high school geography and English teacher), Turner’s love of big storms—particularly snowstorms—is obvious throughout. Dare I say it could well rival my own?

By James Lincoln Turner,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Seven Superstorms of the Northeast - And Other Blizzards, Hurricanes & Tempests as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the Blizzard of 1888 to the Great Appalachian Storm of 1950, this book reveals the majesty and terror of true superstorms in the mid-Atlantic and New England. Not just for weather buffs (though filled with meteorological details), this book is for anyone who is fascinated by breathtaking accounts of natural forces at their most powerful.
Seven Superstorms of the Northeast takes readers on a wild ride through some of the region's historically most destructive storms -- in a pre-Weather Channel, pre-satellite, pre-Doppler-radar world. The book's title stems from seven monster storms including the blizzards of 1888, 1899, and 1914,…


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Book cover of Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

Ethan Chorin Author Of Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Story-lover Middle East expert Curious Iconoclast Optimist

Ethan's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Benghazi: A New History is a look back at the enigmatic 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, its long-tail causes, and devastating (and largely unexamined) consequences for US domestic politics and foreign policy. It contains information not found elsewhere, and is backed up by 40 pages of citations and interviews with more than 250 key protagonists, experts, and witnesses.

So far, the book is the main -- and only -- antidote to a slew of early partisan “Benghazi” polemics, and the first to put the attack in its longer term historical, political, and social context. If you want to understand some of the events that have shaped present-day America, from political polarization and the election of Donald Trump, to January 6, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russian expansionism, and the current Israel-Hamas war, I argue, you need to understand some of the twists and turns of America's most infamous "non-scandal, scandal.”

I was in Benghazi well before, during, and after the attack as a US diplomat and co-director of a medical NGO. I have written three books, and have been a contributor to The NYT, Foreign Affairs, Forbes, Salon, The Financial Times, Newsweek, and others.

By Ethan Chorin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On September 11, 2012, Al Qaeda proxies attacked and set fire to the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, killing a US Ambassador and three other Americans.  The attack launched one of the longest and most consequential 'scandals' in US history, only to disappear from public view once its political value was spent. 

Written in a highly engaging narrative style by one of a few Western experts on Libya, and decidely non-partisan, Benghazi!: A New History is the first to provide the full context for an event that divided, incited, and baffled most of America for more than three years, while silently reshaping…


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