November 1, 2017
Gr 4-6-A dramatic introduction sets the scene of each event, followed by short chapters that describe it from start to finish or to its current status, with an emphasis on its immediate and continuing human costs. Each book clearly states who or what was responsible for the disaster, and discusses restitution or lack thereof to victims, as well as the ongoing or long-term detrimental effects. "Fixing the Future" sections detail continuing cleanup efforts or measures to prevent future calamities. The texts are average and supplemented by numerous photos, most contemporaneous to the events; others are stock images that are poorly matched to the text, such as a description of a 1934 dust storm that coated the Statue of Liberty paired with a recent photo of a clean statue in Sick Soil. VERDICT This set will help readers understand the myriad large-scale ecological disasters that can happen and their lasting human and societal costs. A solid purchase.
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