The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

Written by Timothy Egan

Narrated by Jacob York

In a tour de force of historical reportage, Timothy Egan’s National Book Award–winning story rescues an iconic chapter of American history from the shadows.
 
The dust storms that terrorized the High Plains in the darkest years of the Depression were like nothing ever seen before or since. Following a dozen families and their communities through the rise and fall of the region, Timothy Egan tells of their desperate attempts to carry on through blinding black dust blizzards, crop failure, and the death of loved ones. Brilliantly capturing the terrifying drama of catastrophe, he does equal justice to the human characters who become his heroes, “the stoic, long-suffering men and women whose lives he opens up with urgency and respect” (New York Times). In an era that promises ever-greater natural disasters, The Worst Hard Time is “arguably the best nonfiction book yet” (Austin Statesman Journal) on the greatest environmental disaster ever to be visited upon our land and a powerful reminder about the dangers of trifling with nature.
 
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780358718963

Timothy Egan

TIMOTHY EGAN is a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter and the author of eight other books, most recently The Immortal Irishman, a New York Times bestseller. His book on the Dust Bowl, The Worst Hard Time, won a National Book Award for nonfiction. His account of photographer Edward Curtis, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher, won the Carnegie Medal for nonfiction. He writes a biweekly opinion column for the New York Times.

Reviews for The Worst Hard Time

[G Barnes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My grandma was born on the plains of Indian territory before it was opened for settlement. Grew up with these stories along with her pictures. This book says a lot about the true history of Oklahoma and how government lead the settlers into destroying Oklahoma before it even had a chance. My family is one of the ones that stayed I loved the truth of this book it just makes you sit and cry.

[Christopher C · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I highly recommend this book. I vouch my integrity as a book reader that this book is of highest quality.

[Cheri Karr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was a look back on the great depression and how it affected families before and after. It was an easy listen. Highly recommend.

[Theron R Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Better than expected read. The author includes just enough statistics and government programs and puts his focus on the people going through this tragedy and on his own excellent descriptive writing skills.