A Weekend in September

by John Edward Weems

The hurricane that swept Galveston Island early in September, 1900, occupies a unique place in the reckoning of events of the Texas Gulf coast. Nearly a century after its passing, the storm remains the standard against which the ferocity and destructiveness of all others are measured. Twothirds of Galveston's buildings were washed away at a cost that was never fully calculated. More than 6,000 people were killed. And in the collective memory of a region where depredations by wind and water are accepted as part of life, the weekend of September 8, 1900, is the ultimate example of the terror and violence a hurricane can bring.

John Edward Weems's account of the Galveston hurricane was written more than six decades ago, when many of the survivors were still living and available for interviews. This book is based on numerous conversations and correspondence with these survivors as well as a careful examination of contemporary documents and news reports. In direct, economical prose Weems recreates that fateful weekend as experienced by those who actually were there. The result is a narrative that develops a pace and force as irresistible as the hurricane that inspired it, and a work that is a model of historical reportage.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Biography

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1980

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

On September 8, 1900, on an island not quite thirty miles long and only three miles across at its widest point thousands lost their lives in what remains to this day the worst recorded disaster ever to strike the North American Continent.

A couple of week-ends ago we visited my daughter who is living in Houston. We drove down to Galveston and walked the sea wall built after this devastating storm ravaged the city. Estimates are 300 feet of shoreline, totaling 1500 acres, was swallowed up by the Gulf, some of this land loss never to be recovered.

A Weekend in September by John Edward Weems isn’t the oldest or the most recent book on the 1900 storm. It was written in 1957, long enough after the original event for some perspective and yet while many of those who experienced the event were still alive to recount their experiences.

It reads like a good historical novel weaving individual experiences together as the storm progressed. It’s not sensationalized because it doesn’t need to be. Sobering.

[Kathy Pero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have been wanting to read this book for a long time. Being a "BOI" (Born on the Island) and having relatives who survived the 1900 Storm, I have always been very interested in this event. My great-aunt spent that afternoon and evening sitting on the staircase inside the Bolivar lighthouse, and my grandfather was one of the men who spent the days after retrieving bodies from the rubble. This is one of the better accounts I've read of the storm. I've often wondered why Hollywood hasn't attempted a "Titanic" type of movie about it. The story of Daisy Thorne would be a great vehicle for a screenplay.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I don't feel this is a five star book, although I felt that it was considerably better than Isaac's Storm. This one is pretty dated, published in 1957. Many of the survivors were still around to be interviewed then. They are all gone now, along with their memories and their stories.

My biggest gripe, with both books, is that they seem to focus solely on those members of Galveston society that had money, power or high social standing. How many people do we NOT know about simply because they didn't reside in that social strata of the time.

It hurts my heart to think of the "nobody special" segment of society that suffered no less, and probably even more, than their affluent civic leaders. Who were they? Too much time has passed. Now, we will never know them, and never glimpse their suffering!

[MaritaBeth Caruthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally well-constructed version of the familiar awful story. This author had the advantage in 1957, of interviewing dozens of folks who had actually lived through the Great Storm of 1900 and it is their stories he tells. I couldn't put it down.

[Lisa Roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably not the best book to read in Galveston during hurricane season but this was riveting to me. The author told of different people’s experiences before and after the storm, including Isaac and Joseph Cline, weathermen of the day as well as prominent and working class. Stories of sheer determination are astounding. This was written in 1957 and survivors were interviewed. A must read for any Texas history buff. I should add that another aspect that struck me was how neighbors opened up their homes to others and everyone helped each other.

[Kevin Kirkhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The weekend was September 9, 1900. The place was Galveston Texas. The event was a category five hurricane that made a direct hit on Galveston, took over six thousand lives, and wrecked what was the most populated and prosperous city in Texas. Written in 1957, the author interviews several survivors of the storm. You hear first-hand accounts of what went on in their homes, what became of their families, and what they saw both during and after the storm. This book could easily be made into a movie. I was absolutely riveted.

[Betsy Whitehead · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual, I think just because a book has few pages, I’ll be able to breeze through it. That was not true in this case. Admittedly, the author accumulated an impressive number of accounts of events from that time. This presented a unique problem of how to tell the story. You could tell each person’s account, but that would tell the story of the storm itself. Or, you could tell it chronologically, which the author did, and string together an interesting narrative that gets lost because there are too many characters to keep track of.

Because this is a true event with stories of actual people, each one is important. Unfortunately, the sheer number of stories were so voluminous that it was difficult keeping them all straight.

In the end, after living through several hurricanes in the Houston area myself, the thing that stuck with me most, was the the feeling of sustained, heightened emotion that each person must have experienced. These weather occurrences feel unending as you wait for them to pass. The loss of life and the devastation of such total and complete loss of home and security is unfathomable. Understanding and experiencing that makes the time on this book worthwhile. Not the first book I’d recommend, but certainly could make a case for its need to be read.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just read Isaac’s Storm, I wanted to get another viewpoint and further information on the events of the Great Storm that struck Galveston that first weekend in September. Told by describing the actions of some of the residents of the city, it gave first hand accounts. I must confess, I did not keep all the family names straight, but the essence of their actions were riveting. Some so ordinary, but then during and after the storm, heroic. These people were survivors.

In many ways I liked this book better than Isaac’s Storm, as it had a map of the island, and photos of the destruction making the devastation more vivid. But, both books are good and I would recommend them to anyone who wants to know more about this, the deadliest natural disaster in US history.

[Deni Johansson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a weather nut, as those close to me know, and this is a great book written by an author who interviewed people who actually survived the 1900 Galveston hurricane. Fascinating and informative, gives you a look at what a CAT 5 hurricane is like to go through. You can practically hear the winds howling.

[Robin Germany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many books about the 1900 storm and I continue to be fascinated by the human experience. This book has a number of excellent eye witness stories. As I walk down west beach in Galveston, I think of the energy of Galveston before that storm, with elaborate bathhouses, Victorian homes, restaurants and performances. And how rapidly it
was all washed away.

[Joseph R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

On September 8, 1900, a hurricane hit Galveston Island. At the time, there was little advanced warning and the islanders were used to big storms coming through. Most houses were built above ground so the "overflows" from the Gulf of Mexico or from Galveston Bay would do minimal damage. The 1900 storm was considerably worse than any previous storm. It caused the greatest natural disaster in American history with approximately 6000 dead. The devastation was so great, a precise number is impossible. Large sections of the city were flattened or washed away.

Weems chronicles the weekend (the storm hit on a Saturday) with eyewitness accounts of various survivors and the more reliable of reports from local newspapers. Galveston was a large city at the time, the second largest in Texas. The summer season was just ending and the docks along the north side of the island had many merchant ships coming and going. The National Weather Service had indications of a large storm near Cuba days earlier but they predicted landfall in Louisiana. The rough surf on Saturday morning grew into an overflow that would cover the entire island by nightfall. The winds from the north blew water from Galveston Bay onto the north of the island as the storm surge started to cover the south of the island. The winds grew more ferocious during the day, strong enough to blow the anemometer off the roof of the local weather service. People fled to the most stable houses they could find and slowly moved upstairs as the day grew progressively worse. Many people were trapped. Some were blown out of their shelters, riding out the storm on detritus or in the branches of trees that still poked out above the water. Some were blown far inland; many were lost at sea. Hundreds of houses and businesses were completely destroyed. The shock of survivors on Sunday led into a long and desperate recovery that took months.

The story is harrowing and sobering. The ground-eye view from the survivors gives the narrative authenticity. Many survivors said that you can't imagine what it was truly like. They lived through a horrible afternoon and night where they did not expect to survive. This is a book that's hard to put down.

Highly recommended.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book about the 1900 storm in Galveston. I enjoyed it very much-especially because I live so close to Galveston and I recognized so many of the streets and important names mentioned in the book. Reading on the heals of hurricane HARVEY and witnessing the huge losses in this storm, even with all the warnings and modern conveniences we have it is amazing to read about this storm in Galveston that occurred before even ships were sending information about storms in their area.
Loving Galveston as I do, it is a hard story to read but knowing the damage from the storm and seeing Galveston today is moving to see the tenacity of the people of Galveston and how hard they worked through horrible personal losses to bring their city back to life. If you enjoy reading history, you'll enjoy this book.

[Christopher Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read about the Great Hurricane that struck Galveston, Texas in 1900, this is the one book I regularly recommend. The great distinguishing feature is that it was written in the 1950s when many of the survivors were still alive to tell their story and to help with the book. The first hand accounts are harrowing and amazing.

The storm struck with little warning on the night of September 8, 1900. Many people didn't realize how much trouble they were in until it was too late. And, even then, the worst was yet to come. We'll never know the true number of casualties because the devastation was so severe, but estimates run from 6000 to over 12,000 (in a city of about 38,000 people). But, he also discusses the recovery and the way Galveston got back up after the storm.

It is an easy read. The book can be difficult to find, but well worth it.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first discovered this book years ago when I was first married. Although I lived near Galveston, I hadn't heard about the Great Storm. This short book is incredible. The writing is dated (women are mostly identified by their married names, i. e. Mrs. Frank Walker) and simple, but it tells the story of the worst natural disaster in American History in a compelling way. Written in 1954, Weems had access to multiple survivors and he simply shared their stories. It is stark and terrifying. Reading this book now, twenty years since I first read it and after Ike devastated Galveston yet again, the stories of the families who were swept away and the survivors who were forced to make decisions about the future of their island are compelling.

[Pam M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been born and raised about 30 minutes from Galveston, you hear this story all the time. Galveston beach is still one of my favorite places to relax and remember. Nothing like the sound of the waves on the Gulf waters as they roll in. Until hurricane season hits and then the unpredictable ways of storms create an excitement coupled with fear that most people can't comprehend unless they've actually ridden one out...which I have many times. This storm however....was horrific. If you visit Galveston Island, go to the parts where there isn't a sea wall...and you can imagine how this storm demolished the city. It never recovered. This book is a must read for Galvestonians or hurricane enthusiasts or anyone who is in awe of those who survive.

[Blackpipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is perhaps the first creative nonfiction book I have read. I think the author did a wonderful job in recounting America's dealiest natural disaster, the Galveston hurricane of 1900. It really reads like a novel. The fact that this most shocking and tragic event actually happened only makes this book more fascinating and a must-read for everyone. A Weekend in September, the author's first book, was hailed as " an extraordinary job of creative research" by NewYork Herald-Tribune Book Review. I just couldn't agree more.

[Peacefrog67 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

It’s an easy read though I do suggest making notes so you can keep track of all the different personal stories throughout the book.
Galveston is where I fell in love with history and where I lived for a time after university. It’s a quirky city but the history is everywhere.
If you enjoyed this book I suggest visiting Galveston and walking down the streets that are mentioned and going to the homes that are still there. Hopefully you can fall in love with the island and the Gulf that crashes onto the shores.

[Michelle Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! It concentrates mostly on the time leading up to the storm and the hours during the storm. Survivors and family members of the victims were interviewed to gain the information for the book. I have read several books on the Great Storm, but this one gave me information I had not heard before. It follows people in homes, the lighthouse, a hotel, and ships. It is a must read for anyone interested in this storm.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Pros:
Well researched
Used first person accounts
Used primary sources
Full scope of the hurricane
Really painted a picture of the series of events
Is an authority on one of the most fascinating events in history

Cons
A total slog to read
A bummer
Pages and pages of dead naked bodies
Too many people mentioned I couldn’t keep up with whose who
Too much information cram packed
Was super slow for me to read

[laurenvger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was originally published in 1957. I read and listened to the 1988 reprint. Weems uses primary sources, interviews with survivors and newspaper articles of the time. Well researched. A lot of information, including meteorological data have become available since then. This is an excellent book to read if you’re interested in it, but don’t let this be the only book you read. It is a quick read, but definitely worth it.

[Rebecca Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent recording of the Great Storm of 1900 in Galveston, Texas.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was significantly less exciting than “Issacs Storm.” This was like reading a very like timeline with some detail but no context. While not bad, this definitely isn’t for every reader.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the classic story of the Galveston Storm of 1900. It’s a straight forward telling of the events and the events that followed.

[Lin F · Rating 5 out of 5]

First published in 1957, the book shares firsthand accounts of the storm from interviews with survivors.

[Sherry Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written account of survivors of the great storm. More interesting to me, because of family members lost during this storm.

[Bitsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

1957

[Hugh Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written about the worst natural disaster in American History. A Hurricane brought an epic tidal surge to the city of Galveston resulting I anywhere from 6000-10000 deaths.

What I learned from the book is old Isaac Cline lived after the storm (1955) and his brother Joseph died later that year! Galveston of course build a protective wall that help minimize damage from s 1915 Hurricane of similar magnitude. The government of Galveston changed after the 1900 Hurricane which was run by a mayor and 12 wardens leaving the city broke.The new government was sectored by specialities and one person running that part and elected every two years. Other cities followed this protocol.

The book was easy to read and described the horrors fairly well. I had read Isaac's Storm awhile back which was similar to this, perhaps a tad better. Keep in mind this book was initially published in 1957, so the NWS was still not using satellites to track Hurricanes just yet.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As wicked as hurricanes are I'm grateful I live in the 21st century, with the weather technology to warn us of these monster storms. The 4,000 to 10,000 people (they'll never know exactly) who perished in Galveston in 1900 never stood a chance. This book's main strength was that it was written many years ago, when many of the survivors were still around to give eye-witness accounts. I believe some of the facts (like weather man Isaac Cline's role) have since been corrected in more modern books, like Erik Larson's "Isaac's Storm," but this was still a very compelling read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1957, the author had several survivors of the Galveston hurricane of 1900 at his disposal. This made for an interesting read. I grew up in South Central Texas in a time when hurricanes were tracked ahead of arrival and citizens have plenty of warning. In 1900, the only way to communicate to the populace was by newspaper, telephone, and word of mouth. Most people did not have a telephone and the citizens were used to the gulf waters washing over the island occasionally. Most of weather forecasting was done by watching the clouds and taking measurements at ground level. The first-hand accounts were chilling.

[Tara Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Weekend in September by John Edward Weems. This book is about the Galveston Hurricane, its based on a true story. There is a family that survived telling the story. There is lots of imagery in it, they tell what everything looks like after the hurricane came through and destroyed everything. They talk about what it looks like before and after the hurricane. I think is book was really good, I liked how they described everything so you could "see" what it looks like. I would recommend this book to a friend to read.