Magnitude 8: Earthquakes and Life along the San Andreas Fault

by Philip L. Fradkin

Environmental historian Philip L. Fradkin offers a vivid history of earthquakes and an eloquent guide to the San Andreas Fault, the seismic scar that bisects the Golden State's spectacular scenery. The author includes dramatic stories of legendary earthquakes elsewhere: in New York, New England, the central Mississippi River Valley, Europe, and the Far East. Combining human and natural dramas, he places the reader at the epicenter of the most invisible, unpredictable, and feared of the earth's violent phenomena. On the eve of the millennium, as cyberspace crackles with apocalyptic visions, Fradkin reaches beyond the earthshaking moment to examine the mythology, culture, social implications, politics, and science of earthquakes.

Genres: Science, Geology, Nonfiction, Nature

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Philip L. Fradkin is an American environmentalist historian, journalist and author. Fradkin has authored books ranging from Alaska, California and Nevada, with topics ranging from water conservation, earthquakes, and nuclear weapons.

In 2005, Fradkin was given the Californiana Award by the Commonwealth Club of California.

Reviews

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed like it wandered quite a bit (I guess like the San Andreas fault). Found the recent earthquake history most interesting. Decent coverage of the science and the history of prediction attempts.

[Isaac Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of information here, but boy is it hard to parse. This book needed a second reading from an editor.

[Patrick O'Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was the biggest earthquake in U.S history ever recorded? Where was the second biggest? The answer might surprise you. And where will be the greatest loss of life if a Magnitude 8 earthquake ever hit the Bay Area? That answer may surprise you too.

[E Goldberg]

Excellent book. Well written, informative, and provocative. Anyone living or thinking about living in California should read this book at least twice.

[Brenton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent history of the West Coast's earthquakes.