Analysis of The Johnstown Flood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analysis of The Johnstown Flood - Essay Example McCullough focuses on various characters including the white-collar populace, the wealthy Pittsburgh steel barons, reporters, railway operators and rescuers, who jammed the scene after the disaster. The whole narration of the disaster resulted in the development of the story of post-flood mania, which was spectacular as the flood itself. Therefore, analyzing the book of McCullough, â€Å"The Johnstown Flood†, brings the novice reader to an overwhelming position, though the disaster story needs matching to the history of America. In about 60 pages, McCullough exposes the pre-flood, which leads to massive disaster. That was just before the narration reaches the night before the flood. A critical analysis of the book brings the idea that McCullough incorporates different characters and scenes from the Johnstown people to those of the railway and the building of the dam. Consequently, it led to the founding of hunting club and the south fork fishing. There is mingling of many them es of the late 19th century into the whole story with the full blare of them leading to disaster. The abandoning of the canal project and selling of the dam by Pennsylvania State resulted in the fact that professionals did not inspect them. That was due to the changing from the canals to the railroads. McCullough noted that some signs of trouble began when there was a division between the manufacturing employees and the Gilded Age millionaires. In fact, many in Johnstown feared the annual spring flood. However, the reader will be astonished to find that the dam broke in 1862 due to the fact there was mismanagement and neglect. The concrete narrative of the flood and the immediate consequences covers the majority of McCullough’s book. He epitomizes the event-based point of view. Chronologically, events are perfectly flowing, through the examination of several accounts happens at once, probably due to the amount of information. This also involves the commentaries and the post-s torm interviews. Furthermore, McCullough employs revisiting the most significant and detailed stories. Therefore, â€Å"The Johnstown Flood† book has a wealth of context and analysis, which indeed makes it an outstanding disaster book. McCullough's book highlights numerous events of the floods. A critical analysis of the book shows that McCullough places the whole event in a detailing and perspective situation; he describes how the water took its journey to Johnstown. He even tells of the speed and the height at varying times, even describing the Black Death Mist before it1. McCullough describes another highlight involving the swift organization of the people of Johnstown immediately after the disaster. In the book, the people immediately organized for meetings, recovery, cleanups, and the election of leaders. This was after their realization that the arriving of help would not be that easy because of the washing of the railroads. The leadership skills were quite visible in t he people due to their lack of lawlessness, looting, and epidemics. Afterwards, help was in, including several reporters. This led to the cleanup becoming the issue at hand, especially with the Clara Barton’s Red Cross, which later gained legitimacy.