David Laskin's The Children's Blizzard masterfully combines meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling, recounting the 1888 prairie disaster. While praised for vivid descriptions and emotional depth, some critics find it occasionally bogged down by excessive detail. Laskin's powerful narrative remains a poignant tribute to the human spirit.

The ideal reader for David Laskin's The Children's Blizzard is someone who enjoys historical narratives and disaster stories, much like fans of Erik Larson's Isaac's Storm or Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken. They appreciate detailed storytelling that combines human experiences with meticulous research on historical events.

The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin recounts the catastrophic January 12, 1888, blizzard that swept through multiple Midwestern states, including Nebraska and South Dakota, tragically claiming many lives, especially those of children. The event highlighted the vulnerabilities of immigrant communities in the Great Plains and led to significant changes in the national weather prediction system. Descriptions include a natural disaster resulting in fatalities from exposure.

Dark / Unnerving / Melancholic / Mysterious / Contemplative

- David Laskin's The Children's Blizzard provides a vivid atmospheric backdrop to the 1888 blizzard by incorporating detailed meteorological insights that illustrate how such weather phenomena develop.
- The book delves into the immigrant experience in the Great Plains, providing historical context about the lives and struggles of Norwegian and German settlers during that era.
- The Children's Blizzard not only explores the storm's impact on the land but also touches on its influence on future weather prediction methods and safety protocols, which have evolved significantly since then.

**David Laskin**  
An author and historian known for his meticulous research, particularly regarding immigrant experiences during significant historical events, such as the expansion of the Homestead Act.

**Lieutenant Thomas Mayhew Woodruff**  
A weather reporter for the Signal Corps, stationed in St. Paul, Minnesota; he faced challenges predicting weather patterns during critical events, including the Children’s Blizzard.

**Brigadier General Adolphus Greely**  
The commander of the Signal Corps known for his efforts to organize the department and deal with political pressures impacting weather reporting during events like the Children's Blizzard.

**Etta Shattuck**  
A 19-year-old Methodist schoolteacher who survived the Children’s Blizzard by ingeniously using a haystack for shelter while trying to navigate through the storm.

David Laskin

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Prologue-Chapter 2

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Chapters 3-4

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Chapters 5-6

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Chapters 7-8

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Chapters 9-10

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Chapters 11-12

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The Children's Blizzard

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