In the Path of Destruction: Eyewitness Chronicles of Mount St. Helens Paperback – January 15, 2015

I was there and this is an accurate and factual record of what happened. It took 30 years for the author to collect, verify and re-verify all these witnesses' statements, for the most part in their own words, and the narrative is written for the non-scientist in a clear and easy-to-read format. It provides a first-hand look at the first modern documented volcanic eruption in the continental United States and is a fascinating read. Remember Harry Truman and Spirit Lake Lodge? He's there, in his own salty words; Governor Dixie Lee Ray's lack of actions before the eruption are analyzed; the local military's reactions to the disaster are discussed; a great deal of the United States' modern disaster response can be seen here in its infancy. Satellite communications came into its own at Mt. St. Helens.Volcanic eruptions were really unpredictable back in 1980. The sense of impending doom came and went with scientists' declarations, but we on the ground knew something would happen fairly soon. How bad, how far-reaching, how many lives impacted...no one knew. We made our best guesses and did what we thought was prudent. And then we waited. Waitt has recorded this tension and suspense so that reading it I was suddenly back over that table planning the extent of the Red Zone and wondering if it was enough. Or too much.The author has taken extraordinary pains to ensure that the book is true and accurate, something that's hard to come by these days. Did I really call that National Guard Sergeant "Sonny"? The event was exciting at the time and Richard Waitt has captured that sense in this book. What an accomplishment.

For the professional geologists, naturalists and lovers of the outdoors, Richard Waitt's "In the Path of Destruction, Eyewittness Chronicles of Mount St. Helens" reads quickly and smoothly. Waitt writes exceedingly well and his many decades of experience with the USGS studying Mount St. Helens allows him scientific insights that few could master. What sets this book apart are the author's interviews with hundreds of eye witnesses to the catastrophic eruption that wiped out major parts of the volcano's flank, as well as the historic Spirit Lake Lodge, a well-known local hot spot prior to the explosive event. The post-eruption interviews the author had with hundreds of witnesses as well as inspection of recovered camera film taken by those who perished in the blast are detailed in the book. From his detective work which started around 1980 to when the book was published in 2014, Waitt accurately weaves a minute-by-minute account of an explosive eruption, with some of the best observations of active volcanic processes that can be found anywhere in the geologic literature.

The event of the May 18, 1980 eruption is a fascinating to learn about and to go visit in person.

A comprehensive account of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. The author interviewed hundreds of people who experienced the eruption in various ways: hikers, campers, rescue personnel, geologists,law enforcement, local politicians, news people, pilots, etc. My only criticism is that after a while, the accounts pretty much sound the same and it becomes very repetitive. As a result, I skipped some pages when it became repetitive. But this is definitely a thorough job of examining all the aspects of this historic eruption and makes you wonder if we are ready for the next big natural catastrophe (like the earthquake predicted for the Cascadia Subduction Zone.)

Detailed analysis and retrospective view of the eruption and aftermath of 1980 Mt. Saint Helens compiled by a participant USGS geologist. Precise details and interviews cross-checked and confirmed with maps, GPS locations, key photos and further notes. This volume will sit on my shelf as a key reference about crisis management and the impacts of volcanic activity.

Great book and fast delivery.

This book was full of data, personal stories, and information. Clearly laid out so that I thought I was there! My hands were shaking in frustration when reading about the events leading up to the catastrophe knowing what was to come. And it shows how a single misguided person can detrimentally affect so many. Of course hindsight is 20/20. The search and rescue was equally gripping. I still can't believe that the repercussions for those with political and economic interests over safety was not greater. And the battle of the age old ethical dilemma of personal rights VS the safety of the community still persists. Nothing has been learned on that plane.

It was a Shakespearean tragedy. It began with a single shaking originating from beneath the north flank of Mount St. Helens. The seismic activity grew in intensity for six weeks as the north flank of the volcano crept forward. Then the cataclysmic explosions. Many lives were changed forever.In the Path of Destruction are the stories of those who witnessed the buildup and the cataclysmic event. It is told in their own words.Richard Waitt has done a remarkable job in gathering these interviews, a task that took 30 years to complete. He frames the stories so that the reader can follow the multiple story lines: the loggers, the tourists, the residents, the employees of the National Forest Service and of the Geological Survey.This is the story of the Titanic as told with a volcano: We know the ending. But, until now, few knew the personal stories.Waitt has done a great service to those who are interested in the dynamic Earth and in history. This book is destined to be a classic.