Customer Reviews

Rising from Katrina: How My Mississippi Hometown Lost It All and Found What Mattered

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Rising from Katrina is a beautiful tribute to the very wonderful people of Mississippi and the horrendous ordeal they have been dealt. It is a story of hope and love, and a story of strength and faith. It is very well done and beautifully written. If you care about what has happened along the Gulf Coast and fear forgetting, buy this book. Kathleen Koch is a superb writer and she brings us into the world of the characters who are Mississippi, and I mean that in a very positive way. Thank you Ms Koch for giving your time and energy to help your hometown and for sharing this incredibly personal and powerful book with us.
A fan of the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and all of her residents,
Kate

Rising from Katrina is a tremendous book. Reading it, I ran a gamut of emotions. Kathleen's account of the hurricane and the re-building of lives was truly the first time that the people of the Gulf and especially Bay St. Louis became real. Watching the TV coverage allowed me to distance myself, but while reading Rising from Katrina, I felt as though I was there and now understand what these people have endured. Reading on, I was able to see how the hard work and determination of the people in this region paid off. The book really brings it home. Because Kathleen grew up in Bay St. Louis, I can feel her love and compassion for her friends, old neighbors, and the people of Bay St. Louis. This is a book I will give to my friends and family with the hope everyone will take something from it as I did.

Kathleen Koch has written a book that recounts the aftermath of Katrina from the perspective of an objective, seasoned reporter, as well as the very personal and emotional side of this disaster as experienced by someone who loves the area. By sharing the stories of some of the families living in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the book paints a vivid portrait of how life was changed dramatically for everyone who survived Katrina - and how they came together to rebuild their beloved city and their lives. The fact that the author grew up in this idyllic setting and has ties with many of the families makes this an even more compelling read. While reading this book, I found my emotions ran the gamut - suspense wondering who survives and how; anger at the incompetence of the government bureaucrats; sadness over the loss of so many lives; and finally amazement at the strength and optimism of so many of the townspeople. I thought that I knew a lot about Katrina, until I read this book - it gave me new insight and compassion for the people in the Gulf Coast who are still rebuilding their towns and lives in the aftermath of this horrible disaster.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Kathleen Koch presents Rising from Katrina: How My Mississippi Hometown Lost It All and Found What Mattered, a testimony of the devastation that the notorious 2005 hurricane wreaked upon the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Katrina's own home, as well as many others and entire communities were literally leveled in the wake of Katrina's destruction. Yet Rising from Katrina is about more than the fury of the storm; it is about the struggle to rebuild, to make sense of disaster and tragedy, and the heartwarming random acts of kindness that human beings are capable of even in the most dire circumstances. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrates this inspirational, compelling and powerful blend of judicious reporting and heartfelt sympathy.

Rising from Katrina is a powerful narrative. First you are in the storm experiencing the terror, helplessness, and roar of the wind and water. The aftermath brings out humor, courage, and compelling humanity.

Rising From Katrina is written with the same frank and matter of fact straight forwardness that made Kathleen Koch such a trusted journalist. In this assignment she is speaking from the heart as well as her journalistic center. It is a good combination to tell this story the way it was meant to be told. She observes the scene of aftermath with the questioning eye for detail of a journalist but also as a native of the town. She writes as a professional observer looking for answers and as a devoted native of the demolished town looking for answers. This book is a stark reminder that Katrina was not just about New Orleans. The storm itself did more damage to the Missisippi Gulf Coast and the residents who survived the storm than any other region in it's path. How do you begin to pick up the pieces after your home town is virtually wiped from the map? Rising from Katrina answers that question.

CNN Correspondent Katherine Koch takes you into the homes and lives of the residents of her former home town, Bay St Louis after Hurricane Katrina. The raw emotions of the shock and grief are etched in the details. This is a very personal account of town that was lost and then rebuilt. You meet and feel the pain of each resident as they live thru the largest crisis of their life, as their town is devastated with no relief in sight. Their personal loss of life becomes real with each story she relates. These are very real people who have to decide if they will stay to rebuild or move away. While you feel her personal distress, Ms. Koch tells the story of the forgotten coast with clarity. While most of the media focused on the damage to New Orleans, Katherine covered the story in MIssissippi. She knew each resident and walks their road of pain and watches them recover. The writer stays to watch the recovery. This is story of self determination to recover and to heal, as well as a Reporter's Notebook on the many stories that did not make air. The book has a very conversational style that is easy to read, but also will cause the reader to shed a few tears.

I have two things to say 1st: If you are from Louisiana do not read this book 2nd Ms Koch could have brought attention to the Mississippi Gulf Coast without putting down the people of Louisiana

Kathleen Koch's personal experiences with the aftermath of Katrina brings tears to the reader's eyes. With the advantage of growing up in Bay St. Louis, she provides anecdotes that bring the tragedy into sharp focus. With her years of experience in broadcasting, Mrs. Koch writing style is sharp and readable creating a page-turner of the highest quality.