Author(s): Larry Writer

Australian

The recent floods that ravaged Queensland saw three-quarters of the state declared a disaster zone - from the capital city on the Brisbane River to remote rural communities - and caused billions of dollars worth of damage, forcing thousands to abandon their homes. This latest assault by nature reminds us all that, despite its stark beauty, the Australian landscape has a deadly edge. The Australian Book of Disasters features enthralling stories of natural catastrophe - and survival in the face of enormous odds. With chapters covering every state and territory, it includes detailed accounts of the events burnt into Australia's national memory, from the 'Federation Drought' of 1901 to the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009, and finishing with an in-depth look at the Queensland floods and Tropical Cyclone Yasi. The World Meteorological Organization suggests that the number of extreme weather events affecting humans per year will rise as a result of global warming. Larry Writer captures both tragedy and triumph over adversity in an engaging and easy-to-follow narrative.