Curse of the Narrows
The Halifax Explosion, 1917
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The events of the horrific Halifax explosion are well
documented: on December 6, 1917, the French munitions ship Mont Blanc and
the Belgian relief ship Imo collide in the Halifax harbour. Nearly 2,000
people are killed; over 9,000 more are injured. The story of one of the world’s
worst non-natural disasters has been told before, but never like this.
In a sweeping narrative, Curse of the Narrows tells
a tale of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation, retracing the steps of
survivors through the wreckage of a city destroyed. Laura M. Mac Donald weaves a
panoramic chronicle of the astonishing international response to the explosion,
telling of the generous donations of money and medical specialists made by the
city of Boston, of how the number of horrific injuries to Halifax’s children
inspired startling developments in pediatric medicine, and exploring the
disaster’s chilling link to the creation of the atomic bomb.
Filled with archival photos, defined by meticulous research and
infused with a storyteller’s sensibility, Curse of the Narrows is
a compelling and powerful book.
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Author Extras
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Critical Praise for
Curse of the Narrows
"It seems fitting that [Simon] Winchester praises her, as Mac Donald has many of the same qualities as a writer that make Winchester as readable as he is. She does her research and has a knack for bringing both past events and people to life... Probably the most complete account of the disaster so far and one in which duty, dignity, diligence and attention to detail figure into the story as much as sudden death. A very engaging history."
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Edmonton Journal
"....[a] powerful account....Mac Donald, a Halifax native, has crafted a fine account of the disaster, solidly balanced between the onrushing sweep of events and their growing impact on survivors and witnesses -- how 'bewilderment was followed by shock' until 'as the day wore on ... the mood grew somber.'"
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The Hamilton Spectator
"Laura Mac Donald has produced a powerful, moving book... Mac Donald writes with a quiet humanity that brings home the wretchedness of the victims and the generosity of the relief workers... Curse of the Narrows< is the definitive account of the Halifax Explosion, written with elegance and authority. It is also a gripping story."
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The Globe and Mail
"Mac Donald's dramatic reconstruction of the moments leading up to and the days following the Halifax Explosion makes for powerful writing and even more gripping reading. She skillfully weaves together the horror and the heroism of those days with the human details of how ordinary people coped with disaster and extraordinary people arrived to help them through the worst of it; the result is a first-rate page-turner."
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Stephen Kimber, author of Sailors, Slackers and Blind Pigs: Halifax at War
"This book is like an expensive Swiss watch, meticulously crafted, perfectly assembled, and relentlessly recording, second by dreadful second, the story of one of the greatest and most lethal explosions of all time. I have been fascinated by the Halifax disaster for many years, and have always wondered who might one day produce the definitive account. Well, to Laura Mac Donald go the laurels: she is a genius of a researcher and a demon of a writer, and the achievement of her marvellous book will last for as long as our memory of this most terrible event."
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Simon Winchester
"A rich and engrossing read that brings to life not only the spectacular and tragic event, but an entire world that was
also shifting, transforming and, yes, exploding."
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Ann-Marie MacDonald
"Curse of the Narrows is a fine hybrid of historical scholarship and terrific narrative pace. Macdonald's portrayal of the genesis of the collision and explosion is meticulous. But it's her portrayal of Halifax in crisis, and even more so the individual real-life stories of her citizens, that ultimately does justice to a disaster that remains unparalleled in Canadian history."
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Winnipeg Free Press
Reader Reviews from First Look
Laura Mac Donald's story was very compelling - I couldn't put it down. She tells a very terrifying story that is so hard to believe - but realizing that it's real life, it was fascinating. The disaster was made so real - the confusion in the shipping lanes, the wait for the explosion to occur, the enormity of the blast, the impact to individuals who we'd come to know, and the enormous effort to deal with the outcome. We lived them all with the author. Thanks for this excellent depiction of a chapter in Canada's history which we should all know and remember.
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Emily (Toronto, ON)
Laura Mac Donald's story was very compelling - I couldn't put it down. She tells a very terrifying story that is so hard to believe - but realizing that it's real life, it was fascinating. The disaster was made so real - the confusion in the shipping lanes, the wait for the explosion to occur, the enormity of the blast, the impact to individuals who we'd come to know, and the enormous effort to deal with the outcome. We lived them all with the author. Thanks for this excellent depiction of a chapter in Canada's history which we should all know and remember.
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Emily (Toronto, ON)
By focusing on the on the human element of the Halifax explosion, Mac Donald manages to evoke strong feelings in the reader. Her story demonstrates the beautiful spirit of humankind. Her book relates how the people of Halifax persevered through hardship and turmoil due to their resilience and the generosity of those who gave selflessly to help them.
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Deborah (Keswick, ON)
This is truly an important book for all Canadians. For it allows us to see a 360 degree view of all sides of a horrible tragedy, and brings to light the goodness in others who gave so much to help the injured and unfortunate in those dark days. Curse of the Narrows is a moving tribute to all who lived and died on that fateful day in December. This is a painstaking account of not only the explosion itself; but of human endurance and perseverance. This is the first account that I have read which describes the personal element in great detail, and tells of the stories of quiet courage and heroism.
It is a shame that we as Canadians do not realize the lasting impact that this accident has had on not only Nova Scotia but others who rushed to the aid of those in terrible need during the trying times of War (no less).
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Shannon (Willowdale, ON)
This book is introspective and thought provoking. I found it to be one of the most informative books on this part of Canadian history.
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Sarah (Winnipeg, MB)
Laura Mac Donald has done her homework. This book is an excellent read. A history lesson everyone will definitely enjoy!
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Kristine (Goulds, NF)
Mac Donald's book about the Halifax explosion brings light to a tragedy that was beginning to fade into the past. By telling the stories of the people who survived she has given a human face to cold statistics. Curse of the Narrows presents the facts of this disaster without embellishment and lets the survivors tell the story. It's a wonderful read.
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Michelle (Toronto, ON)
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