Was unable to provide a review based on personal family issues...my apologies to the publishing firm.

***** I have received and read an e - ARC from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

The Waverly disaster is one that seems most people haven’t heard of, but it might be one of the most important disasters in US history since it led to the creation of FEMA.

While at times the story would drag a bit, it was never for long and I probably felt that way since I couldn’t wait to get to the next part,

An excellent book and one i’ll easily recommend to others.

This is an excellent look at the Waverly train disaster and is told through the eyes of people who were actually there. The author is from Waverly and her care and attention to detail are excellent. In light of the fact that so many train disasters have occurred lately, this is an important read.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

What an absolutely fascinating book! I was vaguely aware of the Waverly train disaster since my husband is a train buff. He also was on a FEMA task force that went to NYC after September 11th 2001. so knew the history of FEMA more thoroughly than I. We both have a background in emergency services and had discussed disaster management and when it began. This book filled in so many blanks in my understanding.

I was on the edge of my seat many times as Dr. Ali was counting down to the time of the disaster. Knowing this was a true story, I didn't want to get to know the people who would ultimately lose their lives. I enjoyed the narrative and how the author took remembrances from those who were actually there, and brought their memories to life.

The scenes of the hospital emergency room and how the authors parents, both doctors, worked to try to save lives was riveting. I wanted to yell my encouragement to her father when he jumped on a table and told everyone he was in charge! What a fabulous man.

The portion of the book that spoke about the changes that took place after the disaster, was needed, but for me dragged a bit. I am still a bit angry about all of the bureaucracy that played a part in this disaster, and getting help to those in need. I shed a few tears at the end of the book reading about those who perished and those who's lives changed in a split second. Where they were then and where they are now.

A fine historical account of a train derailment in a small town, that had national significance in the way we handle disasters, domestically and abroad.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. This was well written and heartbreaking as well. I had never heard about this crash before reading this story.

Ever heard of the Waverly Train Disaster of 1978? No, I hadn't either. However, I am glad Yasmine Ali rectified that situation.

Ali, who grew up in Waverly, TN and whose parents feature prominently in the narrative, tells the story of a train derailment which turned into a massive explosion well after the crash. The explosion would leave hundreds injured and 16 dead. The aftermath would lead to the creation of FEMA in the U.S.

The good parts of this book are very good. Ali writes about Waverly in a very loving manner and her familiarity with the people of the town makes her prose that much more effective. She does not dwell too long on any one person or event and the increasing tension is palpable before the explosion. Ali's medical training also adds to the story but she never gets too deep into "doctor speak." When Ali is focused on the people and the train disaster, this book is excellent.

I have some minor quibbles. The section on legislation and the creation of FEMA slows down the book overall. Other disaster books usually need to talk about long, drawn out court battles but there wasn't much to speak of after Waverly. FEMA just sort of seemed inevitable as opposed to a true call to action over insurmountable odds.

The only other criticism is the explosion is not explained in depth. There are recollections from people in Waverly when it happened, but there is no cohesive section explaining exactly what happened when everything finally ignited. Again, this is a very minor detail and did not inhibit my enjoyment of the book. I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys books of people or towns overcoming tragedy.

(This book was provided to me as an advance copy by Netgalley and Kensington Books. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 2/23/2023.)

4 stars
Walk through Fire
Yasmine Ali
Wow! This is an absolutely fascinating and in-depth look at the train wreck/explosion that happened in Waverly Tn in 1978. The author, a lifelong resident of Waverly and daughter of two of the small town doctors who treated the patients, has extensively researched what happened and talked as many people as possible. This is a true must-read book. Ms. Ali makes the reader feel as though they are right there in the midst of things as the events are unfolding.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

'Walk through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America' is a riveting narrative about one of the pivotal train disasters in America - a freight train derailment in Waverly, Tennessee, on February 22, 1978.

The derailment started a chain of events that would result in 16 deaths and the establishment of FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) as well as the passage of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. On February 24, 1978, when the cleanup operation was in full swing, propane in one of the damaged tankers exploded.

Yasmine Ali, a local whose parents, doctors, were saving lives on that fateful day, got mesmerized by the quirks of fate. As with all major catastrophes, the difference between life and death lay in seemingly insignificant details. Combining interviews with the remaining witnesses and victims' relatives with archival research, the author reconstructed the minute-by-minute movements of everybody involved in the accident. For a broader overview, the author added chapters about the history of the city, railroad construction, and a hospital Nautilus Memorial that had initially treated the injured.

The book's part, directly connected with the disaster, deserves the highest praise. Due to the personal stories that can't leave the reader unmoved, I can see the book turned into a documentary or serving as a background for a drama movie about love and loss. In contrast, the following chapters focusing on the legal changes after the explosion look inferior in their ability to captivate the reader. Though important, academic style and statistical data do not allow one to immerse in the reading.

'Walk through Fire' will be a perfect book for those who like to travel and make discoveries in America's small towns. Waverly, Tennessee, has a museum dedicated to the events. For history buffs, the book offers the roots of today's handling of disasters, whether natural catastrophes or man-made.

I obtained an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.