Krakatoa

By Simon Winchester,

Book cover of Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883

Book description

'Bracingly apocalyptic stuff: atmospheric, chock-full of information and with a constantly escalating sense of pace and tension' Sunday Telegraph

Simon Winchester's brilliant chronicle of the destruction of the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in 1883 charts the birth of our modern world. He tells the story of the unrecognized genius who…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Krakatoa as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Welcome to an account of an enormous volcanic eruption!

Winchester takes the reader through the real-life activities that preceded and followed one of the largest recorded volcanic eruptions in written history. Ten chapters skillfully interweave tales of people who were directly impacted by the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. While many people have heard that Krakatoa was the site of a large eruption, most of them may not realize that the monster tsunamis produced by that explosion were the deadliest aspect of the eruption.

It is captivating reading, even for those not as hooked on volcanoes as I am.

From James' list on amazing volcanoes.

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