Skip to footer

Reader recommendation: Krakatoa, The Day the World Exploded

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

  • By Mary Ellen Deckert, Houston, Tex.

In 1883, a developing new technology for news-gathering was transatlantic undersea cable telegraph transmission, exposing the concept of global village. This is just one of the many contextual elements Simon Winchester delves into in Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded, his riveting account of the gigantic Krakatoa eruption. Six cubic miles of matter were thrown as high as 24 miles. A 700-mph shock wave was sent around the Earth seven times. And a 125-foot-high tsunami wrought unspeakable devastation. Many thanks to my dad, for recommending such a sobering and interesting book. 

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
What is the Monitor difference? Tackling the tough headlines – with humanity. Listening to sources – with respect. Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. That’s Monitor reporting – news that changes how you see the world.
Subscribe
QR Code to Reader recommendation: Krakatoa, The Day the World Exploded
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Readers-Picks/2013/1015/Reader-recommendation-Krakatoa-The-Day-the-World-Exploded
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe