Colorado Disasters: True Stories of Centennial State Tragedies and Triumphs

by Phyllis J. Perry

DEADLY, DRAMATIC, and WILD... Words that best describe this collection of stories recounting Colorado's long history of catastrophes. In Colorado Disasters , Boulder-based historian and educator Phyllis J. Perry chronicles the Centennial State’s gamut of natural and human-caused disasters, from floods, mudslides and avalanches, to massive wildfires, deadly explosions, train wrecks, airplane crashes, monster tornadoes, and more. Perry honors the survivors and many heroic rescuers who risked their lives to save others. “Most of these stories offer excellent lessons in how to survive a disaster, Perry says. “And they can inspire us to do the right thing when the world turns upside down and your neighbors need help.” Covering more than 150 years of catastrophes, Perry’s careful research and lively writing brings to life the true stories—at turns heart-stopping and heroic—of the victims, survivors, and rescuers who were there.

202 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2022

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phyllis J. Perry, author of CALIFORNIA DIASTERS (published last year), here offers a companion volume featuring a staggering array of disasters throughout Colorado history. These include multiple instances of natural disasters such as floods, hailstorms, lightning strikes, tornadoes, blizzards and avalanches, rockfalls and landslides, earthquakes and wildfires, but also disasters caused by human error or by human interaction with catastrophic natural conditions: train wrecks, airplane crashes, massive car pileups. Commendably, she also includes what might be called "moral disasters," disasters caused by human cruelty and callousness: the Sand Creek Massacre of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho villagers and the Ludlow Massacre of striking miners and their families. The stories in each chapter draw on a wealth of research distilled into compelling narratives of terror and triumph, suffering and survival. The volume even manages to include an account of Colorado's very recent Marshall Fire disaster, the costliest disaster yet for the state of Colorado. Engaging enough to be read from cover to cover, the book is also suitable for episodic browsing - in both cases serving as an invitation to marvel at the extraordinary resilience of the citizens of the Centennial State.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Farcountry Press in exchange for a review. Initially I was a bit uncertain about reading it because disasters are depressing, yet Perry did an excellent job covering the disasters without reveling in or dwelling on gory details. She was extremely respectful of those who lost their lives and gave details of their lives so that they didn't seem like just another statistic--even when the disasters happened long ago. As would be expected of a book like this, the powers of natural forces are well documented. The research, writing and detail found in this book are top quality. As a reader who doesn't like to flip to the back of the book to find sources, I was also pleasantly surprised to find that each "disaster category" had its own list of sources at the end of its section. Through no fault of Perry's, I did choose to read this book in sections rather than in large chunks to lessen the emotional heaviness that such topics can cause.

[Kalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compilation of disasters in Colorado took me by surprise. This book has chapters on floods, massacres, wrecks, explosions, storms, tornadoes, avalanches, rockfalls/landslides, earthquakes, crashes, and wildfires. While I knew I would be reading about terrible events, both natural and man-made, I learned a lot. For example, how hail stones are formed or the EF scale for tornadoes. There was a lot of solid information regarding how these disasters occurred. The scope of some of these events are mind-boggling. The addition of multiple black and white photographs helped understand the extent of some of the damage. The stories are understandably tragic, yet the author was careful to add data, statistics, as well as stories of heroism and help from the community that kept this from being a depressing read. My only small complaint is that I would have appreciated a map. Otherwise, I was riveted by these stories and admire how Colorado has endured. Thank you to Far Country Press for the opportunity to read and review.

[Jaye Sudar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. A bit light on the details for a few of the categories. Sort of felt like the author 'lost steam' towards the end of the book.
Biggest surprise/disappointment was that there was no mention of the deadliest wildfire in the state, The South Canyon fire that killed 14 wildland firefighters. Also known as the Storm King fire. The tragedy actually changed how firefighters fight wildfires.