Historical fiction of the halifax explosion the reader. It was early morning and people including children rushed out to see what the initial explosions had been. This is a list of apocalyptic and postapocalyptic fiction works, sorted by the nature of the catastrophe portrayed. Mustread books about the halifax explosion the halifax explosion levelled the. Mustread books about the halifax explosion halifax magazine. A former feature writer for the detroit news, his writing has been recognized three times in the best american sports writing series. The retired history teachers latest literary work recounts one of the. If you are unfamiliar with the explosion in halifax, nova scotia in 1917 then this book would be of interest to you. Explosion in halifax harbour, 1917, by dan soucoup, nimbus publishing, 128 pages. Books on the disaster proliferate, and while nonfiction resurrects and. The halifax explosion tells the gripping, asyet untold story of canadas worst disastera haunting tale of survival, incredible courage and, ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit. The great halifax explosion is absorbing from first page to last. I even listed it in my hopeful reading list for 2015, and finally got to it while on vacation in august in the meantime, i discovered yet another new book with the same.
Halifax explosion books tagged halifax explosion librarything. Fiction meets non fiction in this exciting retelling of experiences from an raf air gunner during world war ii, presented in a comic book style. A newly discovered diary tells the harrowing story of the deadly halifax explosion on the eve of the disasters centennial, a sailors 1917 journal details a rare eyewitness account of the. Halifax was devastated on 6 december 1917 when two ships collided in the citys harbour, one of them a munitions ship loaded with explosives bound for the battlefields of the first world war. The best military science fiction is built on great stories of soldiers, marines, sailors, and those that lead them. Burden of desire 1992 is a large massmarket book based on the halifax explosion of 1917 written by canadianborn journalist robert macneil.
Bacon about a ship collision and explosion during world war i. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism international ed. This one was about a brand new eye surgeon who moved to halifax and into the house of his bosspartnermentors family. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism by john u. Bacons the great halifax explosion is the seminal account of one of the bloodiest manmade disasters in world history, which killed some 2,000 people. Historical fiction of the halifax explosion haligonia. In 1917, the thriving seaport of halifax, nova scotia, was leveled by a munitions explosion of unprecedented force when two ships collided in the citys harbor. The halifax explosion of 1917 was the largest manmade explosion before hiroshima. Macneil, who hosted the macneillehrer newshour, has also published other fiction and nonfiction books including breaking news 1999 and wordstruck. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that. Throne of glass series 696 lorien legacies 693 to kill a mockingbird 688 dragonriders of pern series 679 kingdom keepers 643 phantom stallion 629 100% wolf 617 charlie bone 615 dr.
Bacon is the author of the national bestseller the great halifax explosion and four bestselling books about college football, including three and out, fourth and long, endzone, and bos lasting lessons, coauthored with michigan coach bo schembechler. On january 22nd, 1918, the halifax relief commission was formed and it handled pensions, claims for all losses, rehousing and the rehabilitation of explosion victims. One man searches for meaning in the wasteland after the death of his wife, finding it in unexpected places. A reference copy at the museum is available for the public to consult. Bacon applies something like a playbyplay strategy to his nonfiction that makes it nearly.
Listen to the great halifax explosion a world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism by john u. There are a few novels based on the events surrounding the halifax explosion in 1917. Ss montblanc, a french cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the norwegian vessel ss imo in the narrows, a strait connecting the upper halifax harbour to bedford basin. The halifax explosion has frequently been the subject of works of popular culture the canonical novel barometer rising 1941 by the canadian writer hugh maclennan is set in halifax at the time of the explosion and includes a carefully researched description of its impact on the city. More than 2000 people died, 9,000 were injured, 6,000 people were left homeless and an additional 19,000 were left without adequate shelter. Robert macneil, author of the novel burden of desire. That accident sparked a fire and an apocalyptic explosion that was the largest manmade blast prior to the. The online version features a searchable database with detailed information for 1952 casualties more than 300 of whom are newlyconfirmed and identified victims. The book was presented to the museum in 2002 by the halifax foundation. On the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, two new.
Here are some books exploring the many facets of this canadian. Kitz 4 times halifax explosion by graham metson 3 times too many to mourn by james mahar 3 times burden of desire harvest book by robert macneil 3 times miracles and mysteries. Nov 09, 2017 a double take at the halifax explosion, canadas greatest disaster terra arnone. A double take at the halifax explosion, canadas greatest.
Atomic attack 1954 abctv series season 1, episode 15 a family. My father inlaw was a young boy at the time and had spoken about his memories of the event many times to me. The studying the aftermath of the halifax explosion, scientists decide to detonate bombs in midair at hiroshima and nagasaki, to create a greater range of destruction. This handsome book helps us see this centuryold catastrophe as never before. Unlike most books, it rightly sees overpopulation as a threat to the human spirit as well as to our physical wellbeing. Jan 23, 2020 the halifax explosion occurred when a belgian relief vessel and a french munitions carrier collided in halifax harbour during world war i. What followed was one of the largest humanmade explosions prior to the detonation of the first atomic bombs in 1945. Approximately 2,000 people were killed by the blast, debris, fires. Dec 24, 2019 set at a high school for the arts, the book homes in on the drama students sarah and david, who compete in the cutthroat world of theater while falling in and out of love. Century after halifaxs great explosion, city marks.
A memoir 1989 burden of desire centres on the love triangle of bohemian belle julia montgomery. The halifax explosion has frequently been the subject of works of popular culture. Mac donald but it is often through historical fiction that writers and readers are able to experience both the facts of an event and the emotions of the people involved. The book is displayed at the entrance to the museums halifax explosion exhibit halifax wrecked.
Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. On december 6, 1917, two tramp steamers, the montblanc and the imo, collided in wartime halifax harbour, creating what became the largest manmade explosion of its time. List of apocalyptic and postapocalyptic fiction post. Cuthbertsons take is a touch more academic than bacons riveting account, but does better probe the explosion s. More fires started and spread, and a tsunami wave was.
Uncovering new halifax explosion stories trident newspaper. Excerpt from the great halifax explosion book details collision of 2 ships and the explosion that altered a city, residents and relations between canada and u. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy and extraordinary heroism, by john u. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy and extraordinary heroism harperluxe, ann. Halifax explosion book of remembrance maritime museum of. A romance of the halifax disaster 1918 is a rare novella by lieutenantcolonel frank mckelvey bell based on the halifax explosion of 1917. The world war iiera spy movie, yellow canary 1943, also uses the halifax.
His experiences during this time allowed him to write about the physical trauma suffered by haligonians. After steaming out of new york city on december 1, 1917, laden with a staggering three thousand tons of. Sixty symbols regular dr meghan gray on an infamous event that occurred in her home town the halifax explosion of december 6, 1917. This is a riveting, wellwritten and researched world war i book. An engaging, casual history of librarians and libraries and a famous one that burned down. Century after halifaxs great explosion, city marks anniversary. Jan 20, 2017 the books have to relate to oxfams mission to create lasting solutions to hunger, poverty and social injustice around the world. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy and extraordinary heroism harperluxe, ann arbor author john u. The book that incited a worldwide fear of overpopulation the population bomb made dire predictionsand triggered a wave of repression around the world. On the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, two new books examine the disasters place in canadas mythology ken cuthbertsons the halifax explosion and john u. A few months ago, i read a book called black snow, a love story set during wwi and the halifax explosion. December 6, 2017, marks the centennial of the great halifax explosion. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism kindle edition by bacon, john u download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbour at halifax, nova scotia. The halifax explosion remembrance book is the first really definitive listing for those killed in the disaster of 6 december 1917. Production of printed books per half century in thousands of books, 14541800 3. Seuss series 582 daughters of the moon 573 bartimaeus trilogy 570 bloodlines series, richelle mead 569 young wizards 562. Ecofuture tm population and sustainability books on. There are numerous factual accounts of the halifax explosion including shattered city. Dec 02, 2017 dan soucoups book, explosion in halifax harbour 1917 nimbus begins with a history of halifax and its harbour and how important it was for the war effort in europe. Such a disaster today would generate a worldwide storm of video coverage, but the actual photographic record is sparse. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Many people simply looked out their windows and after the following blasts were terribly injured by flying glass. Journalists, record keepers and the 1917 halifax explosion. The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet f.
A centurys worth of historical accounts, novels and documentaries, plus a tv miniseries, have told and retold the story. New books remember the great halifax explosion the star. A double take at the halifax explosion, canadas greatest disaster terra arnone. There are other books that are much more detailed but this book is certainly a good beginning. Halifax explosion book uncovers military ties to epic disaster peter mallett, the lookout staff victoria author michael dupuis fascination with the halifax explosion has led to a 194page book, bearing witness. Bell, after the explosion, had assisted in the medical rescue. Find the books you want all in one place and at prices youll love. The story and scope of the disaster and its aftermath is revealed in fiction and nonfiction narratives for both adults and children in these selections from the collection of the cape breton regional library. The canonical novel barometer rising 1941 by the canadian writer hugh. Mac donald but it is often through historical fiction that writers and readers are able to experience both the facts of an event and the emotions of the people. New book details the halifax, nova scotia, explosion of 1917. This could be for honor, for money, for glory, or just to save their own skin. The book has a fairly large print and many contemporary photos. This awardwinning nonfiction narrative follows the military.
The halifax explosion was a disaster that occurred in halifax, nova scotia, canada, on the morning of 6 december 1917. The spanish have a predilection for books about books, and have experienced a remarkable explosion of popular historical fiction. Bacon, a superbly talented historian and story teller, has rescued from obscurity an astonishing episode of horror and heroism. The book that incited a worldwide fear of overpopulation. This list of nuclear holocaust fiction lists the many works of speculative fiction that attempt to describe a world during or after a massive nuclear war, nuclear holocaust, or crash of civilization due to a nuclear electromagnetic pulse. Nov 07, 2017 a history of the destruction of a canadian city by an explosion as powerful as a nuclear weapon. Dec 05, 2017 the halifax explosion in nonfiction the great halifax explosion. Bacon in this definitive account, bestselling author john u. Nov 01, 2018 the book is a series of vignettes in which illprepared people have a very bad time indeed. Crowds gathered around to watch the fire from the initial collision. A goodreads search for halifax explosion returns more than 40 titles.
The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet kitz, and the recent curse of the narrows. Social scientists, researchers and even novelists fiction have tackled the subject, but poverty, as we all know is a worldwide agesold problem that is extensive and complex. New book details 1917 halifax, nova scotia, explosion. The halifax explosion diary of charlotte blackburn by julie lawson, whos a scaredy cat by. See more ideas about halifax explosion, halifax harbour and nova scotia. Collison of 2 ships ignited 3,000 tons of explosives that left 2,000 dead and 25,000 citizens homeless. In her latest, new yorker staff writer orlean rin tin tin. All of the books below with descriptions provided by their publishers come recommended by at least one oxfam staff member and in some cases, many staff members. I heard about this book last week on al krestas radio show, as al interviewed john u bacon, and the book sounded so fascinating, i just had to read it. At around the same time, i heard about a new book coming out set during the same time and place, the blue tattoo. After steaming out of new york city on december 1, 1917, laden with a staggering three thousand tons of tnt and other. The explosion was the strongest in the world before the advent of the atomic bomb.
The book covers this tremendous tragedy with care and the descriptions of the explosion itself were mindgrabbing. Dan soucoups book, explosion in halifax harbour 1917 nimbus begins with a history of halifax and its harbour and how important it was for the war effort in europe. Few living people recall that the largest manmade explosion in history prior to the advent of the nuclear age took place in halifax, nova scotia. The halifax explosion july 4, 2011 admin the morning of december 6, 1917 began as most mornings in the city of halifax, nova scotiawives kissed their husbands goodbye, mothers sent their children off to school, and the harbourfront, which served as a major hub during wwi was bustling with activity, both mercantile and military. Fiction brings halifax explosion to heart atlantic books today. Dec 06, 2009 there are numerous factual accounts of the halifax explosion including shattered city. The most destructive moment of world war i occurred far from the western front, in canada, where an explosion blew a city apart but propelled two nations together. Cuthbertsons take is a touch more academic than bacons riveting account, but. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that devastated the richmond district of halifax. In honour of the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, cbc nova scotia colourized several photos depicting life in the city after the 1917 disaster. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism. Bacon recreates the recklessness that caused the tragedy, the selfless rescue efforts that saved thousands, and the inspiring resilience that rebuilt the town. The munitions ship drifted towards the pier and after twenty minutes blew sky high. Tailend charlie is an accessible book with a high visual appeal and a great way of hooking in younger or more reluctant readers.
Following in maclennans footsteps, journalist robert macneil penned burden of desire 1992 and used the. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a cataclysmic explosion that devastated the. National bestseller the riveting, ticktock account of the largest manmade explosion in history prior to the atomic bomb, and the equally astonishing tales of survival and heroism that emerged from the ashes, from acclaimed new york times bestselling author john u. Colourized photos of the halifax explosions aftermath cbc news. Publishing flourished for a while in zimbabwe after it. Every two weeks a page is turned, ensuring that each name is displayed once throughout the year.
780 241 729 1529 498 900 116 315 1332 645 794 1003 1365 277 1607 732 527 442 1226 412 975 885 584 1556 1488 331 1148 1632 849 1316 945 694 334 866 788 1333 218 1627 362 5 1193 701 1299 1003 294 143