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Wave of Destruction: The Stories of Four Families and History's Deadliest Tsunami
This exquisitely written book puts a human face on the tragedy of last year's Southeast Asian tsunami through the heartbreaking and heroic stories of four who survived this cataclysmic natural
disaster
Erich Krauss arrived in the Thai village of Nam Keam on a relief truck 12 days after an underwater earthquake of unimaginable magnitude erupted across the ocean floor and unleashed a tsunami that destroyed millions of lives and decimated the coastline of Southeast Asia. Wandering around the wreckage in a contamination suit, trying to deliver food and water, he found survivors desperate to tell him what their village had been like and how their lives had been changed forever. In Wave of Destruction, Krauss shares the pain and privation of four villagers who made it through alive only to bury their family and friends.
Beginning with their fight for life as a 40-foot wave crashed down upon their community, and ending with their slow, confusing quest to rebuild after the last of the bodies had been buried, Krauss unveils the actions and thoughts of ordinary people who were forced to brave extraordinary circumstances. Much like John Hersey did in his acclaimed book Hiroshima, Krauss, a gifted writer and expert in Thai culture, allows the reader to experience one of the worst disasters the world has ever known—through the eyes of those who will never be able to forget.
disaster
Erich Krauss arrived in the Thai village of Nam Keam on a relief truck 12 days after an underwater earthquake of unimaginable magnitude erupted across the ocean floor and unleashed a tsunami that destroyed millions of lives and decimated the coastline of Southeast Asia. Wandering around the wreckage in a contamination suit, trying to deliver food and water, he found survivors desperate to tell him what their village had been like and how their lives had been changed forever. In Wave of Destruction, Krauss shares the pain and privation of four villagers who made it through alive only to bury their family and friends.
Beginning with their fight for life as a 40-foot wave crashed down upon their community, and ending with their slow, confusing quest to rebuild after the last of the bodies had been buried, Krauss unveils the actions and thoughts of ordinary people who were forced to brave extraordinary circumstances. Much like John Hersey did in his acclaimed book Hiroshima, Krauss, a gifted writer and expert in Thai culture, allows the reader to experience one of the worst disasters the world has ever known—through the eyes of those who will never be able to forget.
- GenresNonfictionHistoryAsia
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 18, 2013
Great, personal stories of tragedy and resilience from Nam Khem after the 2004 Indian tsunami. Author did an amazing job of introducing the characters to the reader and telling the reader how the events unfolded that day and the aftermath. I didn't like the way the author portrayed the Christian missionaries but unfortunately his account in this case may be accurate. That was a very small part of the book and was part of the story so I don't fault him for including - just wish it weren't true.
August 2, 2023
Great writing. I had to stop at one point because I was having such scary vivid dreams of being caught up in the water, it was written that well.
March 5, 2020
It is easy to have compassion on the subjects of this book, as they represent the sort of Thai person I knew well when I lived in the country, even though I lived in the northern part of the country and not in the area near Phuket, which is where this book is focused. The author himself is one of those humanitarians who visited Thailand in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and when he wasn't busy helping to clean up the destruction in and around Phuket, he showed himself willing to listen to the stories of four families of survivors who had even before the tsunami lived difficult lives that demonstrate the struggles that are faced by the common people of Thailand. The author writes with compassion and gets a sense of the horror as well as the resilience shown by the people of Thailand in the face of a disaster to massive and destructive to comprehend or cope with. This is the sort of book that can only be written by someone who tries his best to capture what others are saying and who is not trying to win any elections in Thailand's parliament, and it does not speak very kindly to the state of politics and economics in that country.
This book is a bit more than 200 pages long and it is divided into four parts and 32 short chapters that focus on the intersecting lives of four poor families in the area of Nam Khem. The first part of the book contains eight chapters and focuses on the lives of four families in Nam Khem. We see an area grow due to fishing and tin mining and the construction of resorts and how the combination of insecure land tenure and a lack of concern by local authorities let a generally lawless area grow up with brothels and high crime and violence where the military were not often good guys even where they were present. After that there are ten chapters that deal with the catastrophic destruction of the 2004 tsunami and how it affected the four families differently, although all managed to have surviving family members (and a great many dead children, siblings, parents, and other relatives). The third part of the book shows the poignant hunt for the missing, a hunt that was actively hindered by the local hospital being totally overrun as well as the efforts on a part of local property holders to hinder the search of those they considered politically unreliable. Finally, the fourth part of the book looks at the long and difficult road to recovery faced by the traumatized survivors, after which the author discusses his own involvement with interviewing and listening to the survivors and their painful stories.
After finishing this heartrending account, one wonders if there will be a follow-up written to this book that indicates how well (or poorly) the people discussed in this book dealt with the cleanup that followed the tsunami. The four families involved in this story all faced different threats and concerns and it would be good to know if they were able to struggle on after their heavy losses and if Thailand provided opportunity for them to recover some measure of stability and prosperity. One has a particular degree of concern for the family of community organizers who sought to fight against the land seizure by a corrupt company in cahoots with the local military, political, and business elites, as such community focus does not usually end well in Thailand given their immensely corrupt crony political system. Similarly, the blind Puek and the fisherman Wimon are similarly sufficiently vulnerable people, as is Wichien, survivor of various pirate expeditions conducted illegally in coastal Burma. How have such people overcome the traumas and trouble of their past and the loss of thousands of their neighbors and many of their own family members in an incomprehensible natural disaster like that of the 2004 tsunami?
This book is a bit more than 200 pages long and it is divided into four parts and 32 short chapters that focus on the intersecting lives of four poor families in the area of Nam Khem. The first part of the book contains eight chapters and focuses on the lives of four families in Nam Khem. We see an area grow due to fishing and tin mining and the construction of resorts and how the combination of insecure land tenure and a lack of concern by local authorities let a generally lawless area grow up with brothels and high crime and violence where the military were not often good guys even where they were present. After that there are ten chapters that deal with the catastrophic destruction of the 2004 tsunami and how it affected the four families differently, although all managed to have surviving family members (and a great many dead children, siblings, parents, and other relatives). The third part of the book shows the poignant hunt for the missing, a hunt that was actively hindered by the local hospital being totally overrun as well as the efforts on a part of local property holders to hinder the search of those they considered politically unreliable. Finally, the fourth part of the book looks at the long and difficult road to recovery faced by the traumatized survivors, after which the author discusses his own involvement with interviewing and listening to the survivors and their painful stories.
After finishing this heartrending account, one wonders if there will be a follow-up written to this book that indicates how well (or poorly) the people discussed in this book dealt with the cleanup that followed the tsunami. The four families involved in this story all faced different threats and concerns and it would be good to know if they were able to struggle on after their heavy losses and if Thailand provided opportunity for them to recover some measure of stability and prosperity. One has a particular degree of concern for the family of community organizers who sought to fight against the land seizure by a corrupt company in cahoots with the local military, political, and business elites, as such community focus does not usually end well in Thailand given their immensely corrupt crony political system. Similarly, the blind Puek and the fisherman Wimon are similarly sufficiently vulnerable people, as is Wichien, survivor of various pirate expeditions conducted illegally in coastal Burma. How have such people overcome the traumas and trouble of their past and the loss of thousands of their neighbors and many of their own family members in an incomprehensible natural disaster like that of the 2004 tsunami?
April 5, 2011
Amazingly evocative and heartfelt re-telling of the devastating events of the boxing day tsunami in 2004. This book follows the story of 4 families experience of the Tsunami and the immediate aftermath, before giving a quick description of how they all struggled to get their lives, those who survived, back together in the few months following. Of course at the point in which the book ends, no-one is anywhere near being back on track, but the seeds are sewn to suggest that most of the people who's story we've followed here are beginning to get the sorely lacking assistance that they needed, in form of donations and food, and labour to rebuild their lives.
You cant fail to be moved by these families experiences here, you are given a brief biography of each family before the book turns to an extremely graphic and harrowing 1st person account of the tsunami itself from each families different point of view. From being on a boat out on the sea, to being on the beach and ultimately being swept up by the waves themselves. I'd really recommend reading this book to make something of an attempt to even try to begin to understand what people went through on that day. There are stories of hope, and amazing luck and good fortune as well as terrible descriptions of horrible tragedies- as you would expect. It is SO well written, it does not make light or glorify any of the events and experiences of the families featured here.
Although mainly following the families perspectives exclusively, this book does touch on some wider issues that I was completely unaware of, particularly regarding widespread corruption reating to donations, financial and otherwise going missing or being unfairly issued to the wrong people. Deliberately and otherwise. Also, it covers the disgusting story of the far east company trying to conduct a landgrab in the midst of the cleanup and refusing families to return to their home to search for the bodies of their children and parents.
Highly recommend this book.
You cant fail to be moved by these families experiences here, you are given a brief biography of each family before the book turns to an extremely graphic and harrowing 1st person account of the tsunami itself from each families different point of view. From being on a boat out on the sea, to being on the beach and ultimately being swept up by the waves themselves. I'd really recommend reading this book to make something of an attempt to even try to begin to understand what people went through on that day. There are stories of hope, and amazing luck and good fortune as well as terrible descriptions of horrible tragedies- as you would expect. It is SO well written, it does not make light or glorify any of the events and experiences of the families featured here.
Although mainly following the families perspectives exclusively, this book does touch on some wider issues that I was completely unaware of, particularly regarding widespread corruption reating to donations, financial and otherwise going missing or being unfairly issued to the wrong people. Deliberately and otherwise. Also, it covers the disgusting story of the far east company trying to conduct a landgrab in the midst of the cleanup and refusing families to return to their home to search for the bodies of their children and parents.
Highly recommend this book.
March 5, 2018
In this work of non-fiction, Erich Krauss chronicles the story of four Thai families from the small village of Nam Keam through the worst disaster to strike Thailand ever - the Tsunami of 2004.
This book is the perfect look at the tragedy that struck on the morning of December 26, 2004. Getting to know the families - where they came from, how the couples met, how they struggled to find work and put food on the table - gave me a glimpse into a world we rarely see from the comfort of our Western homes. My heart grieved for them even before the succession of giant waves hit their village. I felt their sense of panic as they struggled to survive the Tsunami and their grief when they realized the extent of their loss. I was angered at the injustice these locals suffered first, as medical staff chose to treat foreigners first, and second as looters and fraud artists took what was rightfully theirs.
Erich Krauss did an excellent job sharing the stories of these families and this terrible tragedy. I highly recommend this book!
This book is the perfect look at the tragedy that struck on the morning of December 26, 2004. Getting to know the families - where they came from, how the couples met, how they struggled to find work and put food on the table - gave me a glimpse into a world we rarely see from the comfort of our Western homes. My heart grieved for them even before the succession of giant waves hit their village. I felt their sense of panic as they struggled to survive the Tsunami and their grief when they realized the extent of their loss. I was angered at the injustice these locals suffered first, as medical staff chose to treat foreigners first, and second as looters and fraud artists took what was rightfully theirs.
Erich Krauss did an excellent job sharing the stories of these families and this terrible tragedy. I highly recommend this book!
January 3, 2022
An almost unbelievable account of this tragedy. I love that this book focuses on 4 local families as opposed to tourists. Not because a visitor's story is unimportant. But I think the impact on people who were born and raised in the areas affected by the tsunami has not been shared enough.
January 13, 2020
I remember the Boxing Day Tsunami well - I was only 14 or so, but I remember seeing the death toll rising, seeing videos and images of the waves and their aftermath, the donation box set up in our school lunch line. I have always had a sort of fascination with this horrible disaster. When I found Wave of Destruction on my library shelf I immediately checked it out, hoping to learn more.
After a very slow start, the horror began. Krauss's description of the waves, the death and destruction from the viewpoints of locals and natives, was almost too much to handle. I learned more about the violence these waves carried with them - the ability to rip off ones clothing, crumple metal as if it was paper. I had no idea there was more than one wave, four to be exact. Finally, after all the waves receded, more horror came. The search for survivors, recovery of countless dead bodies, infected wounds, fear and uncertainty, and finally, the looting, thieving, and greed. I had no idea how selfish and greedy people were after the tsunami - it left me seething.
In all honesty, I was bored by the first half or so of this book. The author started 20 or so years before the wave - I suppose to give us a fuller picture of who these people were, but it was just too much background information for me. The rest of the book, the waves, searching, and recovery, was well-paced and informative. It doesn't feel right to say I enjoyed this book, but I am glad that I was able to learn more about this horrible disaster and how it affected people more than what was shown on TV.
After a very slow start, the horror began. Krauss's description of the waves, the death and destruction from the viewpoints of locals and natives, was almost too much to handle. I learned more about the violence these waves carried with them - the ability to rip off ones clothing, crumple metal as if it was paper. I had no idea there was more than one wave, four to be exact. Finally, after all the waves receded, more horror came. The search for survivors, recovery of countless dead bodies, infected wounds, fear and uncertainty, and finally, the looting, thieving, and greed. I had no idea how selfish and greedy people were after the tsunami - it left me seething.
In all honesty, I was bored by the first half or so of this book. The author started 20 or so years before the wave - I suppose to give us a fuller picture of who these people were, but it was just too much background information for me. The rest of the book, the waves, searching, and recovery, was well-paced and informative. It doesn't feel right to say I enjoyed this book, but I am glad that I was able to learn more about this horrible disaster and how it affected people more than what was shown on TV.
July 24, 2025
This was published within a year after the 2004 tsunami. As the titles says, it details what happened to four Thai families during the tsunami. All four families lived in or near Nam Keam, a town that had a wild west rep and made money, at least for awhile, by tin mining. The first half of the book details the history of the four families. While this might put off some readers, it does allow the reader to understand not only the total effect of the disaster in terms of personal loss but also the economic impact and how families may have changed. Krauss' description of the tsunami and its aftermath as well as how various government officials responded.
It is not perfectly written book. There are times when it could be a little more concise. However, Krauss does an excellent job of reporting and showing a culture without condemning or making judgements - at least short of the judgement about rich people vs poor people and the stealing of land from the poor.
It is not perfectly written book. There are times when it could be a little more concise. However, Krauss does an excellent job of reporting and showing a culture without condemning or making judgements - at least short of the judgement about rich people vs poor people and the stealing of land from the poor.
May 2, 2022
Almost strictly a book of the real-life story of four families from a single Thai community (plus a few intersecting individuals) who lived through the 2004 tsunami and its aftermath. There's really no other details or analysis here about the event. In the first part of the book, the author sets up the characters by plainly informing us of the lives they have led prior to the tsunami. But once the book transitioned to the tsunami itself, I got hooked and remained eager to find out what happened to each person. The book is plainly written which is always good for disaster reporting and made it an accessible and quick read.
July 11, 2022
Intense
The story was gripping and shed light on the horrific aftermath of the tsunami for native people in a small coastal town, exposing their grit despite loosing so much. The greed and corruption by some made the recovery task more difficult. The author had unique access to the main characters who are real people, photos included. The book structure was confusing and hard to follow. I would have preferred to read about one family at a time, from start to finish. Also, the author needed a professional book editor- the story is worth reading but the writing is amateur.
The story was gripping and shed light on the horrific aftermath of the tsunami for native people in a small coastal town, exposing their grit despite loosing so much. The greed and corruption by some made the recovery task more difficult. The author had unique access to the main characters who are real people, photos included. The book structure was confusing and hard to follow. I would have preferred to read about one family at a time, from start to finish. Also, the author needed a professional book editor- the story is worth reading but the writing is amateur.
July 26, 2018
So many of the stories we hear about the tsunami that hit Asia in 2004 are from the perspective of foreigners who were there on vacation. This book tells the stories of four Thai families that lived through that terrible event.
April 28, 2023
Everything I love in a natural disaster survival story. Even reading their accounts I can’t fully imagine the horrors these poor families went through. Makes me never want to go to the beach again.
June 4, 2010
This is an excellent book. The author tells the story of four Thai families from Nam Khem, a poor and rather dangerous fishing village in one of the areas hardest hit by the 2005 tsunami. The first third of the book introduces us to the families, and the area - giving us a good grounding and a connection to the people, most of whom have worked hard all their lives for a very marginal standard of living. In the second third, tsunami. Though we've all seen photos and video of the damage, the first-hand testimony of the survivors is devastating, and the author's simple style serves the stories well. Finally, the survivors rebuild, and try, with varying degrees of success, to recover something from the horrible destruction.
The writing is sometimes repetitive, but generally solid. Mostly, I much enjoyed reading a book about how the tsunami affected normal Thais, people who have a personal connection to the area, and have no choice other than to stay and try to work it out. It's also a very good description of one segment of Thai life; the people written about here are worth reading about not just due to their tragic situation, but because they are interesting, and the author brings them to life for the reader.
The writing is sometimes repetitive, but generally solid. Mostly, I much enjoyed reading a book about how the tsunami affected normal Thais, people who have a personal connection to the area, and have no choice other than to stay and try to work it out. It's also a very good description of one segment of Thai life; the people written about here are worth reading about not just due to their tragic situation, but because they are interesting, and the author brings them to life for the reader.
February 16, 2016
This is not pleasant reading, but it should be required reading for any American 12-years and beyond. Let's face it. We really do take what we have for granted. This beautifully-told story (true) is about four Thai families--before the tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004, and after. These people had little to nothing before the disaster, even less after. What they had to do to earn a living just to build a tiny little home on the beach is unimagineable to us; we, who think we must have at least two bathrooms in our homes to be happy. Can anyone reading this who has children think of having those children work thirteen-hour days at the age of 6? Could any of us imagine having our children leave home at a very early age to work for rich families, families who abused them? And yet, while these people suffered terribly, including losing loved ones--we're talking one's entire family--they carried on.
January 3, 2010
An excellent look at the great tsunami of December 26, 2004 that killed thousands in Southeast Asia, focusing on a group of survivors in one Thai village that was nearly levelled. It shows graphically the struggle to survive the successive waves and the aftermath including finding the bodies of loved ones, having injuries treated in hospitals stretched beyond their limit and how some took advantage of the tragedy to line their pockets through looting and corruption. One reflects how the best and worst comes out in people during disaster scenarios.
April 6, 2016
I picked this book up because I'm planning a trip to thailand and I always like looking into nonfiction books about major events in teh area. This book did not dissapoint, giving me a great run-down on the Tsunami and how it affected people at tehe personal level. In addition, it gave me a better sense of culture for the area. Poignat, well-researched, and well-written, I defintily recommend to anyone trying to improve their understanding of the 2004 tsunami.
August 11, 2013
Brandi recommended I read this book about the tsunami that hit Thailand. The first part of the book builds up the history and details of some of the victims lives before the Tsunami hits and then shows how some of them recovered and rebuilt their lives. Powerful stuff and highly recommended.
December 4, 2010
This was an amazing read. It was interesting to read the first hand accounts of the Thai people who lived through the disaster.
June 26, 2013
This is four local families account of the 2004 tsunami from one of the hardest hit small fishing communities. Gripping. A lot of history as well.
December 11, 2013
High body count and quite interesting to boot.
October 29, 2016
What these families had to endure,the pain and suffering of losing family and there homes,and to have things looted from there homes,devasting.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews