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Title: The 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa

Subtitle: The History of the World's Most Notorious Volcanic Explosions

Author: Charles River Editors

Narrator: Dale Smelko

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-03-15

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

"In 1883, Krakatoa suddenly sprang into notoriety. Insignificantly though it had hitherto seemed the little island was soon to compel by its tones of thunder the whole world to pay it instant attention. It was to become the scene of a volcanic outbreak so appalling that it is destined to be remembered throughout the ages." - Sir Robert Ball

Volcanic eruptions have amazed people for millennia, and notorious ones like the eruption of Mount St. Helens can still be immediately recalled even by some who weren't alive at the time. But perhaps the most famous and most destructive eruption in modern history was the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Even without the instantaneous forms of communication that are now available, the world watched in wonder for new updates about a tiny South Pacific island. And though few of them would ever go there, Krakatoa remained a source of fascination for the much of the world for the next 50 years.

Krakatoa had already been the scene of volcanic activity for hundreds of years, and some of the eruptions had been documented by early European explorers in the 17th century. In 1681, one Dutchman named Johann Wilhelm Vogel noted, "I saw with amazement that the island of Krakatoa, on my first trip to Sumatra [June 1679] completely green and healthy with trees, lay completely burnt and barren in front of our eyes and that at four locations was throwing up large chunks of fire. And when I asked the ship's Captain when the aforementioned island had erupted, he told me that this had happened in May 1680. He showed me a piece of pumice as big as his fist."

Nonetheless, nobody could have prepared for the scope of the 1883 eruption, which was so violent that it destroyed most of the island of Krakatoa and could be heard about 3,000 miles away.

Members Reviews:

Five Stars

A concise statement of the events leading to the loudest eruption the world has ever experienced.

A lot of scientific information

I very much enjoyed the book The 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa: The History of the World's Most Notorious Volcanic Explosions. The book was concise and brief, and provided a lot of scientific information related to the eruption. I highly recommend this book.

History of Disaster

If you've ever wondered what the big deal was with Krakatoa this provides maps and first hand accounts of the disaster that killed at least 36000. Charles River does a good job with their short histories to keep them interesting but also deep enough to educate.

very good synopsis of information about the eruptions and subsequent impacts ...

very good synopsis of information about the eruptions and subsequent impacts from Krakatoa in 1883. Other books are more detailed however if you want a nice package of details, quotes and pictures you can read quickly, this is a great choice.

It would have been a better read with some form of narative

Very factual but it lacks much in the way of anecdotal information or stories. It would have been a better read with some form of narative. It was just too may facts and too little story.