Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Summer of Death:
This is why I get the AC serviced regularly.
Quick synopsis:
A look at the deadly heat wave summer of 1936.
Fact for Non-History People:
It is estimated that 5,000 people died from the summer heat.
Fact for History Nerds:
13 state heat records were set that summer.
My Take on The Summer of Death:
Listen, when talking about disaster books, it’s important to mention that enjoying said book does not mean I enjoyed the elevated death count. This is the case with Geoff Williams’s The Summer of Death. I was thoroughly entertained and educated by Williams, as I was awed by how deadly the summer of 1936 was. It can be both!
As you may have put together, 1936 was a really bad summer! It turns out, you can easily be killed or maimed by many things attributable to the heat. For instance, here is a sampling of things in this book which harmed or killed people:
1. Heatstroke (duh)
2. Heart attack (double duh)
3. Drowning (triple duh, because what else will you do when it’s hot)
4. Exploding tires
5. Falling asleep into your welding equipment
6. Passing out off of ladders
7. Crazed squirrels (I am not kidding)
Williams has to walk a very fine line. The death of a human being is never funny. To his immense credit, Williams never jokes about someone’s demise. Also to his credit, he wrings out laughs everywhere else. Since every chapter is a chronicle of news stories about the heat, a laugh is sorely needed amongst the tragedies. For example, it is utterly hilarious how tone-deaf the names of baseball teams used to be. It was like they were trying to be sued eventually. Most importantly, Williams takes the time to educate us on life in 1936. Don’t forget, this is still the Great Depression, and air conditioning exists but isn’t widely available. There is a real slice of Americana in this book alongside the catastrophe.
Admittedly, this narrative won’t be for everyone. Disaster books can do a number on you. However, Williams sets the perfect tone as far as I am concerned. I would definitely give this one a look if this sounds like your type of book.
(This book was provided as a review copy by Pegasus Books.)
Verdict:
A respectful and entertaining tome. Buy it here!
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