Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1

On August 27, 1883, the volcano-island of Krakatoa erupted with such force that it was completely destroyed. The explosion could be heard from thousands of miles away, and triggered an immense tsunami that killed nearly 40,000 people. And that was just the beginning.

In this New York Times bestseller, Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman, explores the worldwide impact of the Krakatoa catastrophe. The effects of the tsunami were felt as far away as France. Barometers in Washington, D.C. went haywire. And dust from the volcano drifted into Earth's atmosphere, where it caused temperatures around the globe to plummet. Krakatoa gives us an entirely new historical and geological perspective on an unforgettable natural disaster.

Simon Winchester's many books include The Professor and the Madman, The Map That Changed the World, Krakatoa, and A Crack in the Edge of the World. Each has been a New York Times bestseller and has appeared on numerous "best" and "notable" lists. Mr. Winchester was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006. He lives in Western Massachusetts.

"Brilliant ... One of the best books ever written about the history and significance of a natural disaster." -- New York Times Book Review

--Chicago Sun-Times