The 1989 Bay Area Earthquake: The Story of San Francisco's Second Deadliest Earthquake

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Kat Marlowe

"I'll tell you what - we're having an earth - " (Al Michaels broadcasting the World Series on ABC as the earthquake struck and before the feed went out

"Well folks, that's the greatest open in the history of television, bar none!" (Al Michaels after the ABC feed was restored)

On October 17, 1989, millions of Americans tuning in to watch the Oakland Athletics face the San Francisco Giants in the World Series watched the cameras suddenly start to shake violently for several seconds. The national broadcast had just caught an earthquake registering a 6.9 on the Richter scale striking the Bay Area. By the time the earthquake and the resulting fires were over and dealt with, over 60 people were dead, making it San Francisco's deadliest earthquake since the 1906 earthquake and fire.

The damage and devastation across the Bay Area was widespread despite the precautions and changes the region had made in the wake of the 1906 calamity. After that disaster San Francisco began the process of reinforcing buildings to help structures brace for earthquakes. But even in the 1980s, they were still more concerned about potential fires resulting from an earthquake.

After the earthquake in 1906, San Francisco created an Auxiliary Water Supply System that could distribute water to any section of the city, and the city built it with stringent codes in the event of an earthquake. In fact just a few years before 1989, San Francisco created a portable water-supply system and upgraded the fire departments.

©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors

Very informative...

Which scene was your favorite?

I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator and how she told the story. Kat Marlowe always holds my attention. She speaks clearly and with emotion.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This was a very horrible account of what Mother Nature can do. Anytime where there are casualties saddens me very much.

Any additional comments?

This was the second documentary I have listened and found it just as intriguing and informative as The 1906 Earthquake Kat Marlowe also narrated. I learned a lot reading this book since I didn't know much about the subject.

Wow

Kat did a great job narrating this book. I learned a lot about the Bay Area earthquake . She was able to bring it to life for me . Great job Kat

Rebuilding a great city

Would you consider the audio edition of The 1989 Bay Area Earthquake: The Story of San Francisco's Second Deadliest Earthquake to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version, but I thoroughly enjoyed the audio.

What did you like best about this story?

The shared stories and hearing of all the civilians and public servants that worked tirelessly to help.

What does Kat Marlowe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Inflections in the stories being told and, in some cases, emotion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Rising From the Rubble

Any additional comments?

Loved the book and narrator.

Times change but disasters still happen

What made the experience of listening to The 1989 Bay Area Earthquake: The Story of San Francisco's Second Deadliest Earthquake the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed listening to all the "rememberances" of that earthquake. The variety of first hand accounts was fasinating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The 1989 Bay Area Earthquake: The Story of San Francisco's Second Deadliest Earthquake?

The account of the man trying to save the woman fatally injured in the bridge collapse.

What about Kat Marlowe’s performance did you like?

All the devistation that occured with this second deadliest earthquake, it couldn't have been an easy story to narrate. I like that Kat had a soothing, calm voice for the reading.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Because of the nature of the book, and that it's all from real-life events, it would be almost impossible to not have an extreme reaction.