Presents an account of the legendary hurricane to assess its destruction of Galveston, role in thousands of deaths, and influence on American history and culture. --Publisher's description.

Underwater -- They all had plans. Looking forward ; The storm: Africa ; A reasonable argument ; Storm watcher ; The storm: from Cuba to Texas -- Maelstrom. Galveston: Thursday, September 6 ; Friday: the waves ; Saturday morning: storm tide ; Saturday afternoon: "half the city underwater" ; The night of horrors -- The white city on the beach. Telegraph silence ; The pile ; "I can begin life again, as I entered it" ; "In pity's name, in America's name" ; No tongue can tell.