Great Disasters (Franklin Watts)
2 total works
This book is part of the "Great disasters" series, and provides an illustrated account of the story surrounding the island of Krakatoa, and the volcanic eruption of 1883. The author looks at life on the island before the eruption in 1883 and traces the history of volcanic activity in the area. He describes the events of that year and how Krakatoa came to explode. The eruption and its aftermath are recounted and its effects both then and now, in Indonesia and around the world are discussed. There is an account of the eruption as it may have been told by a young survivor, and the book concludes with a look at present day Krakatoa and what remains of the island. The text is complemented by a section giving further information including a list of books to read, a glossary and an index.
This account of the fire of London, which destroyed four-fifths of the great and wealthy city in September 1666, is a volume in the "Great Disasters" series which looks at famous disasters, either natural or the result of human error and explains the causes, narrates the events and evaluates the impact on people's lives. The volume begins with a fictional "eyewitness account" of the course of the fire of London, taking the reader through the events of those few days in the 17th century which changed the face of London. It tells how great public buildings, small homes and richly-stocked warehouses burned alike, as the people of London battled to save the city, assisted by King Charles II himself. The account ends with a description of the rebuilding of London under the guidance of Sir Christopher Wren.