This book will be a treasure for any history lover or for anybody that is interested in natural disasters and the history of those.
This disaster really comes to life on the pages from telling stories of survivors and weaving in well done research to show why things happened the way they did.
Fascinating book!

This was a fantastically well-researched book! I enjoyed the book, and the before and after look at San Francisco in the wake of the great earthquake and fire.

For those who enjoy history, this one is a great book. Davenport takes you through the events of the morning leading up to the earthquake, and we see some of this through the eyes of a police officer, who is walking his beat. There is also the history of what makes up the ground upon which many of the homes were built, and the composition of which, would not be a good long-term solution.

This was such a fascinating book to read and I learned quite a bit. The author clearly did lots of research for the book. I really enjoyed hearing from the survivors of the earthquake and the different perspectives. Very informative. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC.

The city of San Francisco was hit by a powerful earthquake on April 18, 1906. The city had been built somewhat piecemeal over many years, leading to a lack of oversight in building codes and safety. The fire departments of that time were just getting better equipment, but most of the water tanks had to be moved by horses over long distances. Hydrants were not that accessible yet. But, many lessons were learned as the city burned for the next three days, consuming street after street of homes as residents and firefighters tried in vain to fight the flames. What the earthquake didn't knock down, the fire may have burned to the ground. Many lessons were learned in this disaster.

The stories in this book approach the incident from many angles. The author did a lot of research and found the voices of many people to describe the events in their own voices. Accounts of survivors from all parts of the city are used to tell the story in a vivid way. We learn about how some places in the city were built on fill material, as the city grew and the need for more land led to people filling in wetlands and the bay to create "land" on which to build. The fill material didn't hold up to the earthquake, destroying entire sections of the city and killing many people that lived there. Through their accounts, the reader experiences the terror and horror of that day, along with the difficulty of evacuating so many people from the city with so much damage blocking roads and the raging fire preventing access.

We also learn about the decisions that led to the military occupying the streets to keep looters away, which led to misunderstandings and people being shot who were not looting. The water systems were damaged during the earthquake, leading to the water for fighting fires being non-existent at the hydrants because the mains broke and the water leaked out. Yet, there are bright spots too. The Navy commander who brought in boats to fight the fire at the wharves and the ferries that were able to carry people across the bay to safety. The people who stepped up to help each other and took people into their homes.

The aftermath, with some corrupt politicians profiting off the reconstruction, was upsetting. But, it's a part of history that isn't written about in the high school history books most of us read. Nor is the part about how the residents of Chinatown were not allowed out of their neighborhoods due to racist policies. This is a detailed and sweeping account of the disaster from multiple viewpoints, in multiple voices. I learned so much from reading this book. I had a great aunt who lived through the events in the city and our family still has the letter she wrote. It was interesting to see how others fared the same during this disaster. It may be upsetting to read some parts, but I think we can also learn from them. Learn from the negative parts of history that there are things we should never do again. This book is amazing for the scope and details it contains.

This was a good read -some slow areas that I struggled to get thru but overall it kept my attention and I was glad I persevered thru it.

I learned a lot about the Great San Francisco Earthquake and fire from this book! I thought I had read other books that cover the topic pretty well, but Davenport's extremely well researched and well written book tops the others by a large margin.
Some major positives: clear structure, lots of historical detail, easy to follow, easy to understand, and engaging.
If you have ever wondered about the historical event this work centers around, then don't miss this book!

When the Earth Moved

In April 1906 San Francisco was “the Queen City of the Pacific,” the largest city in California and the busiest port on North America’s Pacific Coast. It was a city of superlatives, most banks, best entertainment, richest rich, and greatest ethnic diversity. Then the earth moved and San Francisco lay in ruins.

“The Longest Minute: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906,” by Matthew J. Davenport, tell the story of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. It describes the pre-earthquake city and how it became what it was. It then recounts the events of the earthquake and what followed in the immediate aftermath.

Davenport takes readers into the ethnically-diverse streets of San Francisco of the late 1800s and the first half-decade of the 20th century. Readers visit Chinatown, the Italian, Russian, and Mexican enclaves in the city and the homes of the very rich and very poor. He shows how San Francisco grew from an obscure Mexican town to the economic dynamo of the West Coast. He shows how rapid growth created a town ripe for disaster. Poorly-built, crowded buildings were common. Infrastructure was neglected. Much of what existed was shoddy.

Then the earthquake struck. Davenport shows that while the earthquake caused substantial damage, the real destruction was caused by fires started after the earthquake. They raged for days before finally being controlled. He shows how the city fought the fires. They had first-rate fire-fighters, but he shows how the loss of infrastructure crippled firemen’s efforts to stop the fires.

He also describes the relief efforts, both in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and long afterwards. He shows how the US Army and Navy provided immediate assistance and how the city organized itself. He relates the experiences of the survivors and the fate of those killed during the disaster.

Davenport took a fresh look at the earthquake, conducting extensive research in writing this book. He reviewed existing public records prior to and after the earthquake. He made extensive use of previously un examined resources including letters, unpublished memoirs, and diaries from survivors to piece together his account. The result is a remarkable in both the breadth and depth of what Davenport relates.

“The Longest Minute” is a dramatic and fascinating account of the 1906 Earthquake. Readers feel they are actually in the San Francisco of the time. Exciting and fast-paced, it offers a human account of a natural disaster.

“The Longest Minute: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906,” by Matthew J. Davenport, St. Martin’s Press, October, 2023, 448 pages, $35.00 (Hardcover), $16.99 (Ebook), $35.00 (Audio and Audio CD)

This review was written by Mark Lardas, who writes at Ricochet as Seawriter. Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, historian, and model-maker, lives in League City, TX. His website is marklardas.com.

I only knew a teeny bit about this part of history and was really excited to read more about this time and all that happened during it. Much like the book I previously read this year about the Great Chicago Fire [and all the things that people, including what is taught in school, STILL get completely wrong], this definitely lays to rest many things that have been taught that were completely wrong.

Filled with meticulous research and stellar writing, this grabs you from page one and doesn't let go until the very end. I was angry, sad, and at one point, was ugly crying over the loss of life and the things that happened after the earthquake/fire that were both totally preventable and totally incomprehensible. It wasn't enough that so many lost their homes and loved ones to both the earthquake and the fire, but to be treated so badly by the insurance handlers [apparently insurance adjusters have sucked for a very long time], the authorities [and who thought the "shoot to kill" order was a good plan. IDIOTS!!], not to mention all the racists that tried to permanently eliminate the Chinese presence in San Francisco and treated the survivor's abominably [this was a point where ALL the emotions come into play] - well, lets just say that you will feel all the feels as the author navigates you through that post earthquake/fire world.

Also filled with geological information, it was interesting to really learn how earthquakes work and suprisingly, that the earthquake of 1906 was bigger than any other one that that area has experienced since.

If you have ever lived where there are earthquakes, ever learned about this particular earthquake, or are even remotely interested in geological phenomenon, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Matthew J. Davenport, and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Despite being vegan now, before In N Out was a favorite burger take out. Their french fries were not my favorite, but that is a different story. It was interesting to read about the history of the company and the hierachy of the founding family. I loved learning about "the secret menu."......

I did not look reading in depth about the abuse the author and her brother received from her uncle and father, who were later honored by the company for their successful business ideas. Plus a smattering of Bible quotes throughout that really do not make sense with the book. HOWEVER...

I kind of struggled reading this. I think if the author just stuck to how In N Out was founded, the early years and success and kept out the other extraneous stuff this would have been better (IMO). Definitely not a favorite biogrpahy this year but not the worse.

Some people will enjoy this, others will not. Cannot recommend it for my views.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lysni SYnder and Nelson Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available

“The Longest Minute” by Matthew Davenport tells the story behind the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire that devastated the city. He tells the story in aching detail, beginning with how people were going about their lives the day before the earthquake, what some were doing just minutes before the earthquake began, how residents reacted during the earthquake, and the confusion that followed minutes after it had ended. Davenport details some of the warning signs that a chief firefighter tried to tell the San Francisco council regarding fire dangers all around the city months before the quake, all to no avail. The book also covers the fires that raged around the city for three days just after the quake ended, how the fires were fought, how the military was called in to help, and how the corruption that began once the fires were put out and the task to rebuild the city ran rampant.

I had read a couple of other novels about the 1906 quake, but none had covered it so extensively as this one has. It is clear that the author researched painstakingly to get all the facts regarding this incident in the annals of San Francisco history correct. My only issue with the book is that the copy I had to read did not include any pictures, and pictures would help immensely when trying to imagine parts of the city that was burning, including a map of the area. This would help those not familiar with the city picture where everything is happening. Since I read a digital copy, perhaps the printed version would include pictures. Of that I am not sure.

Anyone interested in learning more about what happened before, during, and after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire should pick up this book first before reading any others.

At 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck San Francisco, catching most of the city asleep. For approximately 1 minute, the city shook. Buildings fell, fires started, and the city crumbled. For 3 days after fires raged across the city, trapping people and making any kind of rescue impossible. This is the story that has been forgotten of the struggle to rescue people and rebuild the city. Matthew Daveport delved into the first hand stories of survivors to tell this amazing story.

I had read Simon Winchester’s book on the Earthquake and fire of SanFrancisco in 1906 and thought it an incredible telling of what happened……until I read Matthew Davenport’s book The Longest Minute! Mr. Davenport’s telling of the earthquake and fire is an incredibly detailed historically accurate retelling of what occurred by minute and by life! I am in awe of his detailed research. What a horrifying morning in San Francisco in 1906. From lack of water to fight the fires to crumbling wooden buildings, this book details it all, even the children who were able to sleep through the horror of that day! Thousands of lives were taken and destroyed. Thousands of buildings were burned, SanFrancisco once again, as so previous many times, was burnt to the ground, and so many people along with that died. Horrific! Living on the San Andreas fault is not somewhere I would choose to live, but yet, so many remain…will it happen again? This book goes into the same genre as the Titanic, and other shocking things that happen in our world. May this beautiful city stay safe. Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Marten’s Press publishing for the ARC….this is a incredibly accurate story that all history buffs must read!

A well-researched accounting of the San Francisco earthquake and fires in 1906. Davenport does a great job captivating my attention through the stories from several survivors.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Longest Minute is a captivating and extremely detailed account of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Throughout the book you get the impression that the author left no stone unturned. Each page is filled to the brim with the stories of individual people from different walks of life. The final section of the book, which deals with the survivors and how the earthquake is remembered, was surprisingly touching. It was easily my favorite section.

My only complaint is that it was, at times, too detailed. Instead of focusing on a handful of people, Davenport pants a broader brush, seemingly bringing up a new person every few pages. The result is often overwhelming. Though the author began the book with an rundown of what different people were doing the day before the earthquake, he mentions so many different people that it was almost impossible to remember who was who. While I admire the commitment to ensure that these stories are told, I think it would have been more effective to select a handful of people in different parts of the city and really focus in on their experiences.

Wow! What an absolute catastrophe told so well by Matthew J Davenport. Of course I was aware of the earthquake in 1906 in San Francisco but never really knew much about it. I lived in Connecticut until I moved to California 6 years ago. We live right next to the San Andreas fault in southern CA. After joining the Emergency Preparedness Committee within our community I thought I was well versed in preparing for earthquakes (that I truly hope will never pass) until I immersed myself in this read.
Fighting fires with no water due to water main breaks, hearing screams of those injured and dying that you are unable to help, lack of food and potable water…all of these are nightmare situations along with setting up makeshift hospitals and “centers” for people who are literally stranded outside with nowhere to go.
San Francisco had an amazing system to report fires that only worked when the power worked. We have a similar situation, in spite of the technological advances in the last 100+ years. I shudder to think about “the big one” people have been foretelling for years.
Most upsetting to me was the graft, corruption, and politics that played a role in this catastrophe.
Many many thanks to Matthew Davenport for writing this meticulously researched and written chronicle of the 1906 earthquake and resulting fires which destroyed San Francisco, St. Martin’s Press for publishing it, and NetGalley for affording me the amazing opportunity to read an arc of this just published book.

On April 18 in 1906 citizens of San Francisco we’re waking up or were woke up by an earthquake some thought like the mayor that there was minimal damage and others who woke up buried under their house thought they were going to die and some didn’t wake up at all. Throughout the day many heros including first responders like firemen who had to carry their hose truck by hand because during the earthquake their horses got away there were nurses in medics who woke up surrounded by their own rubble in yet left to help the injured regular citizens who despite injuries help save others and most of them did it all day on no food or on just a few crackers. This book is packed full of information from that day from the earthquakes in the fire it cost with Lucky escapes and not so lucky catches this book is interesting and even talks about the bribes the politicians took an order to do what was best for its citizens that is get back to the business of normalcy. I love nonfiction books and this was a great one and absolutely awesome read! I love reading books about the best coming out in people and it seems to always happen during a disaster and this book was no exception I truly and thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommended. I want to thank Saint Martin’s press and net Galley for my free arc cup please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Until THE LONGEST MINUTE by Matthew J. Davenport, I was that East Coast person vaguely familiar with the horrific fire that roared through San Francisco in the early 1900s. Now? I feel like I have experienced the horror, the unbelievable work required to save lives, rescue survivors, and rebuild in utter devastation. His research was meticulous and turned into a gripping narrative about a long ago event that is so very relevant for our times. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

The 1906 San Fransisco earthquake has been written of many times. I've read several books on the subject but the synopsis of THE LONGEST MINUTE piqued my curiousity enough to start reading it. The story and the excellent writing kept me reading through to the end. Matthew J Davenport obviously did extensive research and spent time working the story in such a way that even though you have read of this event before.....this was a unique read. The story unwinds in such a manner that you can feel, hear and see the destruction as it's recorded for history. The scars were many, in 1906, the technology was many sets of hands working together. There was no technology so the stories are up close and personal. It's definitely worth your readig time to learn more of the history of this sugnificant event.

The Longest Minute by Matthew J. Davenport is a thoughtfully-written account of the horrors of the San Francisco earthquake which shook for about a minute but left lasting horrible repercussions for thousands and thousands of people. Many died and half the city was displaced. It is impossible to imagine the raw terror people felt as fire after fire spread after desperate attempts to contain them failed. However, the author writes with such clarity I could practically taste, smell, touch, hear and see the frightful chaos. The sheer power of earthquakes and their ability to destroy so much in mere seconds is chilling.

If you are keen to learn more about this catastrophe, this book is for you. Just know it is painstakingly detailed which is wonderful to history fans like myself but could be long for some with just a passing interest. Much of the writing is focused on before, during and after the ignited fires (including wood stoves) which destroyed over 80% of the city.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this outstanding book. I've read about this before but learned so much more here. Well worth reading.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC. However, I don't think I am cut out for nonfiction reading in a digital format. I was frustrated reading this because I always wanted to be flipping back and forth to resources like a map of San Francisco and the like, resources that were not provided as part of the ARC. This was obviously well researched but it felt like a slog, though that might be more a me problem than anything.