Sally M. Walker

On Dec. 6, 1917, thousands of miles and an ocean away from the WWI front, an explosion flattened a harbor city and killed nearly 2,000 people.

Halifax, Nova Scotia was a busy, important port during WWI when two ships bound for that conflict, one carrying relief supplies and the other loaded with TNT and benzene, collided in the harbor, setting off a horrific explosion. Walker tells of the ships, the collision and subsequent explosion, and the relief and recovery efforts. The narrative also show more follows five families who were living in Halifax that day. She uses a variety of source documents, including historical photos and maps which help to give the narrative a breathtaking, you-are-there feel. Although written as a YA book, aside from sometimes explaining words an adult might not need to have explained (i.e. the word alliance as in European Alliance), it doesn’t necessarily read like one. It can be just as informative for adults as it is for young adults.

Blizzard of Glass was a fascinating, non-fiction account of a tragic event many people, perhaps Canadians excluded, may know little about show less

(I got this book free from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers.)

I don't know a whole lot of Civil War history, and I had never heard of the Sultana until I read this book. I think it's an excellent book of history, very well-written but simple enough for young people to understand. I particularly liked the author's use of primary sources such as diaries, letters, etc., from the people who were on the ship. She painted an excellent picture of the chaos and horror that occurred after the boilers show more exploded and the ship sank. This book would be good for a middle- or high-school class on the Civil War, and I think adults would also appreciate the story. show less

I enjoyed this audiobook much more than I expected to. It starts off slowly as the author introduces us to the Anishinaabeg people who you'll follow through the war and establishes their backgrounds and that of their peoples. This takes up about the first third of the book.

But then it gets to be really interesting as the author relates the often painful experiences of Company K during the Civil War. Learning that these Native Americans contributed so much to the war, and how they performed show more in battle is engrossing. Hearing how some of them were captured and treated as prisoners, and how many of them had to fight for their war pensions after the war is maddening. The horrible conditions at Andersonville and Danville prisoner of war camps are well known, but to see them through the eyes of these men really drives home how thoroughly awful they were.

I am glad I read the audiobook version as I am sure I would have had trouble with trying to pronounce the Anishinaabemowin words (though as I am from Michigan it did grate a little that the reader mangled some of the Michigan place names). But based on other's reviews I missed pictures and maps that I'm sure added to the story. Either way you go, if you have an interest in Civil War, Midwestern American, or Native American History you will enjoy this book, and I recommend it. show less

Walker sets the scene for this horrific maritime disaster by walking readers through the history of transport - and steamboats - on the Mississippi river. From this more industrial history, she moves to an overview of the Civil War, focuses on several soldiers who will be involved in the disaster. These and thousands of other soldiers, released from prison camps in the South, prepare to head home on the doomed steamboat. Walker builds the suspense - and also the evidence - adding quotes, show more evidence, and introducing more key players. Finally, in the seventh chapter, it all comes to a head with the Sultana’s explosion - and the deaths of thousands of men, as well as other passengers. The aftermath is shown through survivor’s accounts, the experiences of rescuers, and what little is known of the investigation at the time. Finally, the verdict is reached - and no one is held responsible for the disaster, clearly due to a combination of bribery, greed, incompetence, and sheer bad luck.

Walker lists the prevailing theories of the time, later evidence, and the fates of those few who left accounts and whose names were known. A final author’s note discusses Walker’s investigation the story and the societies which keep the tale of the Sultana alive. There is also a glossary, bibliography, and index. The advance review copy I saw did not include all the art, but the final edition includes multiple maps, drawings, and photographs.

This account steps outside the usual fare of battles and major players to illuminate bribery and corruption - and the tragic results for everyday soldiers and their families. Walker also talks about the rescue efforts and humanity of local families who helped the survivors, many of whom had recently been their enemies.

Verdict: As I continue to update the 900s, I look not only for broad overviews but for titles that show new perspectives and different views of past conflicts. This is a good example of that, showing the effects of war on ordinary soldiers and families, as well as discussing the causes and aftermath of a preventable disaster. A well-written and interesting look not only at a little-known disaster but also at the history of steamboats and the mid-south area.

ISBN: 9780763677558; Published October 10 by Candlewick; Galley provided by publisher at ALA; Purchased for the library show less