The Vortex: A True Story of History's Deadliest Storm, an Unspeakable War, and Liberation

by Scott Carney, Jason Miklian

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This fast-paced, meticulously detailed book tells the story of the Great Bhola Cyclone, the deadliest storm in modern history, which killed 500,000 people in Pakistan, and its aftermath as told through the eyes of the men and women who witnessed it.

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1 review
Somehow I have been unaware of the second-largest genocide of the 20th century. This book is highly readable ("like a novel") way to learn more about it. There are strong central characters and thrilling events from the lowliest farmers to the top politicians. And it includes the impact of a one in a thousand year cyclone that precipitated the violence, showing how global-warming fueled natural disasters morph into political and open conflicts as opposing parties use the chaos to try and gain advantage. This dynamic has reoccurred multiple times in recent years. It also reminds me of the Ukraine conflict with a neighboring "brother" country led by a despot going on a killing spree to try and eliminate a closely linked competing culture.

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11 Works 733 Members
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Common Knowledge

Original publication date
2022
Important places
Bangladesh
Important events
Great Bhola Cyclone (1970)
Dedication
For the Bangladeshis who never saw independence
First words
(Prologue) White mist surged across the Mahajagmitra's bridge and the ship's aging frame creaked with each menacing gust.
Thirty thousand fans erupted into cheers the moment that the football hit Hafiz Uddin Ahmad's chest.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)After all, it was the least he could do for an old friend.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)(Afterword) Every new vortex represents nothing less than a low-probability gamble against the future of humanity.
Canonical DDC/MDS
363.34922095492
Canonical LCC
HV636

Classifications

Genres
History, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Politics and Government
DDC/MDS
363.34922095492Society, government, & cultureSocial problems and social servicesPublic Safety - Police, Crime InvestigationTerrorism, Disasters, Civil DefenseDisaster reliefSpecific kinds of disastersDisasters caused by weather conditionsHurricanes
LCC
HV636Social sciencesSocial pathology. Social and public welfare. CriminologySocial pathology. Social and public welfare.Emergency managementRelief in case of disastersSpecial types of disasters
BISAC

Statistics

Members
80
Popularity
397,195
Reviews
1
Rating
(4.21)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
8
ASINs
2