The Year Without Summer: 1816 and the Volcano That Darkened the World and Changed History
In April 1815, two giant eruptions from Tamboro, a supposedly latent volcano east of Java, pumped millions of tons of ash and sulfuric acid into the atmosphere. The immediate results were catastrophic, as the blast, lava, poisonous gases, and a tsunami destroyed entire villages. But the long-term effects, felt the following year, were more far-reaching and devastating. The massive expulsion of gas and dust formed clouds that circled the globe, deflected sunlight, and resulted in a significant lowering of temperatures, especially in the northern hemisphere. This cooling caused crop failures, famine, and social turmoil. The Klingamans lay out the scientific details of the disaster in a lucid, easily digestible manner. They also effectively integrate the natural calamities into a narrative that includes the political and social milieu of Europe and North America. This is an engrossing work that illustrates the fragility of societies when confronted with sudden and severe disruption of weather patterns. --Jay Freeman