As a Caltech seismologist, for decades, Dr. Lucy Jones was the face of calm whenever an earthquake struck in Los Angeles. Her new book looks at disasters throughout history, from Mt. Vesuvius to Japan's devasting earthquake in 2011 and covers not just the incidents themselves but the recovery. The history lessons aren't just about the past, they are keys to how we can better prepare, adapt, and react in the future. As Jones points out, disasters will keep coming but we have the opportunity to improve how we handle them on a personal, local. and governmental level. There are a lot of sad and horrible stories in this book, but threaded through is optimism and hope that we can learn from them and improve. While we can't predict earthquakes, we can, through proper preparation, mitigate their impact. Jones is both an apt historian and a passionate student of human nature, both of which come through in this book.

Like many others out there, I have an interest in natural disasters. I find myself obsessively watching the Weather Channel during large scale events just to witness nature's fury. This interest was what made me take notice of this book.

The Big Ones takes a historical look into natural disasters of our past and how the results have shaped our environment, geology, and way of life. The information is presented in an engaging way that would allow enjoyment for any reader that has interest in natural disasters. The author presents scientific information on what to expect next in the foreseeable future of natural disasters, as well. I found this book intriguing and have requested a copy for my library. I can't wait to share it with my fellow weather enthusiasts!

THE BIG ONES by Lucy Jones is subtitled "How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us" and Jones, a U.S. Geological Survey seismologist for thirty years, discusses eleven natural disasters from volcanoes (Pompeii) to hurricanes (Katrina) to earthquakes and tsunamis (Indian Ocean in 2004 and Fukushima). Having devoted her working life to better preparedness (e.g., running early versions of the Great ShakeOut Drill which in 2016 involved over 53 million people around the world), Jones encourages readers to accept the inevitability of natural events while questioning the role of human response. Her final chapter deals with the likely earthquake event in Southern California (which is an eye-opening and scary read) where she offers several suggestions for local governments and private citizens. THE BIG ONES is an accessible book which will appeal to our students across a range of disciplines such as science, history, architecture and engineering, anthropology, civics, and even politics and journalism.

A history of disasters and a prediction of The Big Ones fill Dr. Jones' book.

Containing a wealth of information about the science underlying disasters, The Big Ones is written in an informal and non-technical manner. From Pompeii and Iceland’s volcanos, to California's 1861 floods, to earthquakes in 1775 Lisbon, 1923 Japan, 2004 Sumatra and 2005 Hurricane Katrina, floods are surprisingly the most dangerous threat. Many people live through an earthquake but the subsequent tsunami's flood waters kill them. Most victims of Hurricane Katrina died after the levees were overrun and broken from the resulting flood waters. The good news is if you live above 500 feet, there is no reason to worry about tsunamis even if you are on a cliff directly above the ocean.

Born and living my entire life in Los Angeles, Dr. Jones was a familiar face on television after each earthquake. The 1971 6.5 earthquake in the valley knocked down a nearby supermarket's roof while I watched from my bedroom window. The 1994 6.7 Northridge earthquake shook for only 7 seconds but felt like an hour. The Big One in the book is prophesied to be 7.8 to 8.2 and last 50 seconds. Since I drive literally over the San Andreas fault to work every day, the earthquake prediction was the most interesting to me. The fault slippage will leave a 20 to 30 foot trench between the Californian coast and the rest of the United States—for 250-350 miles close to parallel with the coast—adversely impacting rescue efforts.

Earthquake locations can be predicted but not their timing. However, some locations are still surprising like the New Madrid Missouri earthquake in 1811 that leveled the town. The Big Ones is recommended for all interested in natural disasters or for anyone wanting to learn from past disasters. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher, Doubleday, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.