Pits the savage, unfathomable ferocity of the storm against the indomitable people affected. The authors made the courageous choice to include the foundational role survivors' faith played in this largely Christian community. Particularly effective were the transcripts of Pastors' remarks at various memorial services. Why do I focus on this aspect? Because increasingly, positive accounts of religion - & in particular Christianity, are often completely ignored or 'revised' in humanist terms. To have done so with the Joplin story would have been especially poor journalism. Instead, the authors provide a truthful account - an accurate profile of most - but certainly not all - Joplinites. Finally, the book was informative & often intensely personal. The victims speak best for themselves through poignant testimonies & obituaries and with their uplifting & staggering outpouring of love. This is not your typical "disaster porn."
5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado is available in both Kindle and paperback versions from Amazon.com and is available in Joplin at Always Buying Books, Changing Hands Book Shop, and Vintage Stock on the Mall.
5:41 and the other two books in the Joplin Tornado trilogy, Spirit of Hope and Scars from the Tornado will also be available for purchase at the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, signing for No Child Left Alive.
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