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On Shaky Ground
Charts the history of earthquakes in the United States, provides scientific evidence of the inevitability of catastrophic earthquakes, and discusses protective measures that must be taken by individuals as well as the government
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
83 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
John J. Nance
66 books227 followersJohn J. Nance is an American pilot, aviation safety expert, and author. He served in the USAF during the Vietnam War and also as a Lt. Colonel in Operation Desert Storm.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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January 10, 20184⭐️s from DH. Very informative book about the potential for earthquakes anywhere in the US.
January 15, 2018
Very informative
John Nance did a tremendous job researching the history of earthquakes in the World, describing the aftermath of serious quakes, and detailing how far seismologists have come in being able to predict earthquakes. This book was written in 1988 and now it is 2018. Hopefully our government leaders have provided funding for research since this was written. Nance sounded the alarm - did they listen? I hope so.
John Nance did a tremendous job researching the history of earthquakes in the World, describing the aftermath of serious quakes, and detailing how far seismologists have come in being able to predict earthquakes. This book was written in 1988 and now it is 2018. Hopefully our government leaders have provided funding for research since this was written. Nance sounded the alarm - did they listen? I hope so.
July 23, 2017
Wow. This really tells an amazing story of how the scientific community learned more about earthquakes...and may soon be able to predict them. Then what? How would you get all those people out of Los Angeles? San Francisco? Nashville? St. Louis?
Trouble is indeed brewing. We all need to be aware of the dangers and the FACT that it will happen...again.
Trouble is indeed brewing. We all need to be aware of the dangers and the FACT that it will happen...again.
March 2, 2024
This is a very well written book, which should scare the Hell out of you. I’m going to purchase earthquake insurance and if you live in an area with seismic activity, you should too! It’s unfortunate that many of the state’s governments don’t seem to take this seriously. Even if they don’t, you can and should.
February 19, 2018
Outstanding look at the potential threat to America. Well documented and researched. Hopefully the lessons learned from the past won't be forgotten. I would love to see a new edition of this book with current scientific findings included.
October 13, 2024
Nance clearly lays out need for earthquake protection.
This book clearly describes the urgent need to protect vulnerable areas from earthquakes given the tools we have available. Given my role as an urban planner, to ignore this threat is politically and economically unacceptable.
This book clearly describes the urgent need to protect vulnerable areas from earthquakes given the tools we have available. Given my role as an urban planner, to ignore this threat is politically and economically unacceptable.
July 5, 2017
A bit long-winded, but certainly interesting. The descriptions of earthquakes in the America's are vivid.
March 2, 2019
If you live in earthquake country, you should read this.
March 14, 2024
Not at all captivating rather a bore. I couldn’t get into it so I trashed it.
February 27, 2018
A history of seismology
Well worth reading. I gave it 5 stars because the subject matter is so important. If you enjoy history, you'll probably love this book. It tells the story of many earthquakes in the last 120 years, most of them in the United States. If you are a fan of disaster fiction, be warned that this book does not have the fast pace of a novel. But then again, it is true! The real-life scientists involved in breakthrough studies are used to propel the narrative, ending with a list of proactive steps community or governmental agencies can take to minimize death and damage from seismic events.
Did you know that 39 of the 50 states are considered high-risk for earthquakes? I live in one of them. I wonder if you do, too.
Well worth reading. I gave it 5 stars because the subject matter is so important. If you enjoy history, you'll probably love this book. It tells the story of many earthquakes in the last 120 years, most of them in the United States. If you are a fan of disaster fiction, be warned that this book does not have the fast pace of a novel. But then again, it is true! The real-life scientists involved in breakthrough studies are used to propel the narrative, ending with a list of proactive steps community or governmental agencies can take to minimize death and damage from seismic events.
Did you know that 39 of the 50 states are considered high-risk for earthquakes? I live in one of them. I wonder if you do, too.
June 11, 2013
Normally, books on earthquakes don't sound that exciting. But somehow, this author Manages to weave the story of the people's lives alongside of the technology and science that goes in to such ground shaking phenomena.
I didn't expect to like this book, but I found myself coming back to it over and over again until it was finished.
Afterword, I felt like it was time well spent And I learned a lot.
I didn't expect to like this book, but I found myself coming back to it over and over again until it was finished.
Afterword, I felt like it was time well spent And I learned a lot.
July 22, 2009
A fascinating book on earthquakes! Every other chapter covers a type of geological earth movement with a chapter that relates an actual earthquake that shows how these quakes affect the area. A must read, especially for those that live in earthquake country.
October 15, 2012
Read this to complete by John Nance collection.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews