The Storm of the Century

Al Roker

William Morrow Company

In this gripping narrative history, Al Roker from NBC's Today and the Weather Channel vividly examines the deadliest natural disaster in American history-a haunting and inspiring tale of tragedy, heroism, and resilience that is full of lessons for today's new age of extreme weather. On the afternoon of September 8, 1900, two-hundred-mile-per-hour winds and fifteen-foot waves slammed into Galveston, the booming port city on Texas's Gulf Coast. By dawn the next day, the city that hours earlier had stood as a symbol of America's growth and expansion was now gone. Shattered, grief-stricken survivors emerged to witness a level of destruction never before seen: Eight thousand corpses littered the streets and were buried under the massive wreckage. Rushing water had lifted buildings from their foundations, smashing them into pieces, while wind gusts had upended steel girders and trestles, driving them through house walls and into sidewalks. No race or class was spared its wrath. In less than twenty-four hours, a single storm had destroyed a major American metropolis-and awakened a nation to the terrifying power of nature. Blending an unforgettable cast of characters, accessible weather science, and deep historical research into a sweeping and dramatic narrative, The Storm of the Century brings this legendary hurricane and its aftermath into fresh focus. No other natural disaster has ever matched the havoc caused by the awesome mix of winds, rain, and flooding that devastated Galveston and shocked a young, optimistic nation on the cusp of modernity. Exploring the impact of the tragedy on a rising country's confidence-the trauma of the loss and the determination of the response-Al Roker illuminates the United States's character at the dawn of the "American Century," while also underlining the fact that no matter how mighty they may become, all nations must respect the ferocious potential of our natural environment.

The Storm of the Century: Tragedy, Heroism, Survival, and the Epic True Story of America's Deadliest Natural Disaster: The Great Gulf Hurricane of 1900 - Autographed Signed Copy

Ruthless Tide: The Heroes and Villains of the Johnstown Flood, America's Astonishing Gilded Age Disaster

William Morrow

SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, AL ROKER! A gripping narrative history of the 1889 Johnstown Flood--the deadliest flood in US history--from New York Times bestselling author, NBC Host, and legendary weather authority Al Roker. May 1889: After a deluge of rainfall--nearly a foot in less than twenty-four hours--swelled the Little Conemaugh River, panicked engineers watched helplessly as swiftly rising waters threatened to breach the South Fork Dam in central Pennsylvania. Though they telegraphed neighboring towns on this last morning in May, warning of the impending danger, residents, used to false alarms, remained in their homes. At 3:10 P.M., the dam gave way, releasing twenty million tons of water. Gathering speed as it flowed southwest, the deluge wiped out entire towns in its path and picked up debris--trees, houses, animals--before reaching Johnstown, fourteen miles downstream. Traveling forty miles an hour, with swells as high as sixty feet, the deadly floodwaters razed the mill town--home to 20,000 people--in minutes. The Great Flood, as it would come to be called, remains the deadliest in US history, killing more than 2,200 people and causing seventeen million dollars in damage. Al Roker tells the riveting story of this tragedy, which remains one of the worst weather-related disasters in American history. Ruthless Tide follows a compelling cast of characters whose fates converged because of that tragic day, including John Parke, the engineer whose heroic efforts failed to save the dam; Henry Clay Frick, the robber baron whose fancy sport fishing resort was responsible for modifications that weakened the structure; and Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, who spent five months in Johnstown leading one of the first organized disaster relief efforts. Weaving together their stories and those of many ordinary citizens whose lives were forever altered by the event, Roker creates a classic account of our natural world at its most terrifying.

Ruthless Tide - Signed/Autographed Copy

Beloved TV personality, trusted weathercaster, and all-around Renaissance man Al Roker continues his newest successful career with the thrilling sequel to his dynamite mystery debut, The Morning Show Murders. Professional chef turned amateur sleuth Billy Blessing once again finds himself in hot water, when a brutal killing cancels a TV show—and its host—during its debut. Billy has never liked going to the West Coast, but when he runs into high-energy comic Desmond O’Day, he reluctantly agrees to play second banana on the funnyman’s new late-night talk show. Los Angeles holds bad—and bloody—memories for Billy. Twenty years ago, he had suspected obnoxious chef Roger Charbonnet of murdering his ex-starlet girlfriend there, and told the cops. A tricked-up alibi freed Roger, who vowed vengeance. And now Billy might be on the verge of getting burned. After a horrifying explosion during a TV taping kills more than Desmond O’Day’s chance at high ratings, Billy believes that he was the intended target—and that Roger Charbonnet was somehow involved. And when politics, infidelity, and high finance are sprinkled in, the case turns out to have more ingredients than Billy could ever have imagined. Soon a beautiful female TV producer convinces Billy to find the culprit himself—on camera. And the table’s set for a conspiracy with too many cooks and far too many killers. Filled with the high-style hilarity, insider info, and surefire suspense that are Al Roker’s series trademark, The Midnight Show Murders is a four-star feast for any fan of top-flight mystery fiction. As James Patterson says, “Maybe Al Roker should quit his day job!”

The Midnight Show Murders (Unabridged Audio CDs)

Dick Lochte

BOOKS ON TAPE]

Sesame Street - Friends To The Rescue

Sesame Street

From Al Roker and friends, a new book in celebration of Dad, just in time for Father's Day! Bestselling author and beloved Today show personality Al Roker teams up with his celebrity friends to share personal thoughts, stories, and reflections on fathers and fatherhood in this heartwarming collection. A dad is always there to provide support and encouragement just when it's needed most, as well as help teach us some of life's most invaluable lessons--from how to fly a kite and pitch a tent to how to change a tire, negotiate a raise, or take on our first big home improvement project. Now it's time to say thank you! In Big Shoes, Al Roker and 45 other well-known personalities share personal stories about how their fathers have been there for them during times of both adversity and triumph, and the countless large and small ways they've shaped their lives throughout the years. These essays remind us of the important--and lasting--legacy of our dads, even as we've grown up and gone on to start families of our own. A stellar group of contributors reflects on the importance of fathers and fatherhood, including: <ul>
<li>Matt Lauer </li>
<li>Katie Couric </li>
<li>Beau Bridges </li>
<li>Bonnie Rait </li>
<li>Kris Kristofferson </li>
<li>Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) </li>
<li>Bradley Whitford </li>
<li>Robert Mondavi </li>
<li>Dr. Dean Ornish </li>
<li>B.D. Wong </li>
<li>and many more! </li>
</ul>

Big Shoes: In Celebration of Dads and Fatherhood

Parenting & Relationships

Rennert, Amy

Family Relationships

Legacy Lit

Now in trade paperback, a collection of thoughts on fathers and fatherhood by various celebrities with an introduction by bestselling Al Roker In Big Shoes, Al Roker and 37 other well-known personalities share personal stories about how their fathers have been there for them during times of both adversity and triumph, and the countless large and small ways theyve shaped their lives throughout the years. These essays remind us of the important--and lasting--legacy of our dads, even as weve grown up and gone on to start families of our own. As Al Roker says, "No matter who your father is or was, whether a great man or someone who left a lot to be desired, there is something in the man that you can learn from, something that will make you a better person." Contributors to Big Shoes include: <ul>
<li>Matt Lauer </li>
<li>Kelly Ripa </li>
<li>Jon Stewart </li>
<li>Bonnie Raitt </li>
<li>Kris Kristofferson </li>
<li>Donald Trump </li>
<li>Jimmy Buffett </li>
<li>Conan OBrien </li>
<li>Billie Jean King </li>
<li>Beau Bridges </li>
<li>Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) </li>
<li>Ashleigh Banfield</li>
</ul>

Al Roker's Hassle-Free Holiday Cookbook: More Than 125 Recipes for Family Celebrations All Year Long

Scribner

The Midnight Show Murders

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Books by Al Roker