The incredible true story of how a cycle of rain; cold; disease; and warfare created the worst famine in European history—years before the Black Death; from the author of Justinian's Flea and the forthcoming Miracle CureIn May 1315; it started to rain. For the seven disastrous years that followed; Europeans would be visited by a series of curses unseen since the third book of Exodus: floods; ice; failures of crops and cattle; and epidemics not just of disease; but of pike; sword; and spear. All told; six million lives—one-eighth of Europe’s total population—would be lost.With a category-defying knowledge of science and history; William Rosen tells the stunning story of the oft-overlooked Great Famine with wit and drama and demonstrates what it all means for today’s discussions of climate change.
#169933 in Books Laskin David 2014-09-02 2014-09-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.37 x .90 x 5.47l; 1.00 #File Name: 0143125893400 pagesThe Family A Journey Into the Heart of the Twentieth Century
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. An Astounding BookBy West Palm Tennis BumThis meticulously researched and beautifully written book chronicles an amazing family whose experience spans the history of the 20th century. It reads like a novel and I got so drawn into it that I had to keep reminding myself that this was all true. It is an epic story of triumph and tragedy that anyone could relate to and enjoy.The story is of a Russian Jewish family but; as another reviewer said; you don't have to be Jewish to love this book. It makes me want to read other family histories from other religious backgrounds and from other countries. I just hope they will be as well written as this one.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An amazing workBy barryWell researched and well told. I felt as though I was reading about the missing details of my own family that had gone through many similar experiences - including a grandmother who picked up and left Poland for Palestine as a teen in the 1930s; relatives who did not make it out of europe bef WWII as well as ancestors who arrived in the US from Russia as children in the first decade of the twentieth century.the writer did an excellent job researching the historical details of Volozhin; Rakov and Vilna and incorporated those details into the story.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. One Family; 3 Stories...the future is hard to predictBy Rubenstein RoyGreat Book !David Laskin's family history is the history of the the families of Israel. There is hardly a family in Israel (of European descent); that doesn't have a similar family story. But Laskin has done the research and the work; using all his writing skills to weave it all together in gripping narrative. David has given us the "big picture" from the bottom up; and shown us how choices matter. He has shown how families grow and multiply and how individuals lives are affected by their decisions; big time! This is a book about people; lots of them; all from similar backgrounds who lead lives totally different; one from the other. If nothing else we see in this book how our destiny really is in our own hands. Too late; those who remained in Poland discovered; their bitter fate. Yogi Berra is said to have said; "the future is hard to predict." This book justifies Yogi's wisdom.
