Superstorm Sandy: A Diary in the Dark

by William Westhoven, Kaleo Griffith (Narrator)

WRITTEN AS A FUND-RAISING VEHICLE, THE AUTHOR PLEDGES TO DONATE ALL PAID ROYALTIES FROM THIS BOOK TO THE NONPROFIT HURRICANE SANDY NEW JERSEY RELIEF FUND. Written and published within a month of the worst storm to ever hit the New Jersey-New York area, "Superstorm A Diary in the Dark" is a first-person account of one New Jersey's resident's 12 days without power or heat in his North Jersey home. The author, William Westhoven, an award-winning New Jersey journalist and author, mixes personal drama and observations with fact-based reporting and a liberal dose of "you have to laugh or you'll cry" humor. His quick work has resulted in the first book to document the arrival of Superstorm Sandy and the immediate recovery period that followed.

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2012

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very interested in reading this book since the author lives in my town and I thought his impressions of Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath would hit home for me. And they did. Although our experiences were not quite the same, they were similar enough - and it made me wish that I actually knew him because I certainly would have benefited at that time from his sense of humor and unique perspective.

Superstorm Sandy was a most uncommon event, not only the storm itself but the struggles and unusual events that followed. We've all read about earthquakes, hurricanes, and disasters all over the world, but it never seems quite so real until it hits your own backyard, your own family, your own neighborhood. There's nothing quite so jarring as having something larger than life shake up your own day-to-day life and your own sense of what's real and what's normal. Reading this book not only memorialized this event for me, but also humanized it. Mr. Westhoven tells his story, the story of one man, and it is clear throughout that there were hundreds of thousands of stories unfolding at the same time. He doesn't dwell on the really awful side, so despite the subject, it's rather light-hearted and easy to read.

All of the paid royalties from this book are donated to the non-profit Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, which is just another reason to pick it up. And it will make you smile.

[Michael Tarpinian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This self-published book is said to be the first one published about "Superstorm" Sandy. Not bad although while living up to its mission, it did not have any long term perspective. Bleak acknowledgement of how unprepared we are and dependent on power for so much.