Forces of Nature: The Awesome Power of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tornadoes. National Geographic [Hardcover]

Catherine O'Neill Grace (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–A companion volume to the National Geographic film of the same title, this book presents the basics of these phenomena with a focus on the work of four scientists who study them: Richard Herd, Marie Edmonds, Ross Stein, and Joshua Wurman. Grace describes how volcanoes develop and the efforts to predict their behavior, highlighting the eruption of Soufriere Hills on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. Focusing on the seismically active region that includes the North Anatolian Fault near Istanbul, Turkey, she details attempts at earthquake prediction and what is being learned about safer buildings by studying Hagia Sophia, a structure that has survived numerous quakes. The author presents the Midwest's "Tornado Alley" as a prime example of a breeding ground for these storms, and reveals how and why they are formed. Survival tips are included, as are sidebars with factual data and statistics. Outstanding color and black-and-white photos and diagrams augment the very readable text. Lin Sutherland's Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Reader's Digest, 2000) is similar in style, but lacks the focus on the work of specific scientists. Grace's book is an attractive presentation about a popular subject.–Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
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From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Illustrated with stunning, sharply detailed stills from a documentary film of the same name, this introduction to scientists studying an active volcano on Montserrat Island, in the eastern Caribbean; earthquakes near Istanbul; and tornadoes in the "tornado alley" in the central part of the U.S. imparts not only basic information about the causes of such phenomena but also vivid impressions of their immense scale and capacity for destruction. Based in part on personal interviews, and including safety advice, fact boxes, notes on similar catastrophes in history, and useful lists of print and Web resources, the oversize volume will attract browsers and also serve students as an authoritative source about natural disasters. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792263286
• ISBN-13: 978-0792263289
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.4 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Earthquakes & Volcanoes

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4.0 out of 5 stars Loved!, October 19, 2011

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tjc3301 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forces of Nature: The Awesome Power of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tornadoes. National Geographic (Hardcover)

This is the perfect book for physical science lovers! National Geographic always has stunning photography but this is mind blowing! The information given was directly matched with each photograph which made the pictures speak more. The author describes how each phenomenon (volcanoes, earthquakes and tornadoes) develop. Grace also shows warning signs of each and explains how to get to safety. There are also interesting facts almost every page. I definitely recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't have interest in physical science. It's an attention grabber no matter what age the person!