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Why I chose to read this book:
1. several years ago, I read The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant where the MC indirectly experienced this massive molasses flood. It intrigued me so much, that upon joining GR, I began searching for any books published about it. I found this one, the first nonfiction book giving a full account of this horrific tragedy which spanned a decade. Needless to say, I bought a copy; and,
2. April 2024 is my self-appointed "Aqueous Titles" Month.

Praises:
1. incredibly well-researched, author Stephen Puleo breaks this piece of microhistory into 3 sections:
- pertinent background information leading up to the January 15, 1919 disaster, including the political, economic, and social climate of the day;
- the actual disaster and how it affected the local people, infrastructure, and natural area; and,
- a focus on the people involved in the following class action lawsuit;
2. several maps and captioned black-and-white photos were included, as well as a "List of the Deceased", "Bibliographic Essay", and an "Updated Afterword". Originally published in 2003, a special "100th Anniversary Edition" was released in 2019; and,
3. Puleo dispels some myths about this unusual tragedy.

Overall Thoughts:
I will never think of the phrase "... as slow as molasses in January" the same way ever again!
Was this destructive explosion a case of corporate greed or an anarchist bomb? Puleo's work clears up any questions I had. I learned everything I wanted to know, and more, from reading this easy-to-follow narrative nonfiction.

On p. 236, it states that this event "served as a catalyst for government to impose new safety regulations on industry to protect the public."

Or has it?

History seems to be repeating itself time and time again, especially with instances like the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, the toxic derailment near East Palestine, Ohio from a train owned by Norfolk Southern railway company, to the ongoing issues with Boeing aircraft, especially since its merger with McDonnell Douglas, just to name a few.

Highly recommend for readers who enjoy American history, or unusual historical events!