From earthquakes and epidemics, to human errors that have devastated entire countries, disasters have as much of a place in history as war and politics. Here we take a look at six of the worst disasters ever, the reasons behind them, and the aftershocks that still resonate today.
• The acts of nature and human error that resulted in tragedy •
Only the scathing wit and searching intelligence of Jessica Mitford could turn an exposé of the American funeral industry into a book that is at once deadly serious and side-splittingly funny. When first published in 1963 this landmark of investigative journalism became a runaway bestseller and resulted in legislation to protect grieving families from the unscrupulous sales practices of those in "the dismal trade."
Nelson Mandela became the first president of South Africa elected by a fully representative democratic vote. His efforts to end the segregation that paralyzed his country resulted in his being awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.
This book traces the childhood and young adult years of the renowned French microbiologist whose interest in chemistry resulted in the process called pasteurization.
Dr. Elizabeth Barnes has devoted her heart and soul to medical research...at the expense of love. Until a detective contacts her about a recent wave of homicides, which may have resulted from her new anti-depressant. Now, this intense, driven cop may be the only one who can stop the killings-and save her from the dark side.
