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Walk Through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America
The first book to examine the rarely-acknowledged Waverly Train Disaster of 1978 – the catastrophic accident that changed America forever and led to the formation of FEMA. Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the event, WALK THROUGH FIRE is a tribute to the first responders, as well as an examination of the strengths and vulnerabilities in rural America.
On the night of February 22, 1978, a devastating freight train derailment drastically altered Waverly, Tennessee, and its place in history. This was one of the worst train explosions of the twentieth century, killing 16 people, injuring hundreds more, and causing millions of dollars in damage.
What could have been dismissed as a single community’s terrible misfortune instead became the catalyst for radical change, including the formation of FEMA, much-needed reforms in emergency response training, and the creation and enforcement of national and state safety regulations. Response to the disaster reshaped American infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the future of emergency management and disaster relief . . . and yet most Americans have never heard of Waverly.
Dr. Yasmine S. Ali, an award-winning medical writer and Waverly native, sets out to change this in WALK THROUGH FIRE, drawing from over a decade of meticulous research and interviews with survivors, first responders, and other firsthand accounts, including those of her own parents, first-generation Americans who were on call at the local hospital that treated the victims. Ali weaves a compelling narrative of small-town tragedy set against the broader backdrop of U.S. railroad history, rural healthcare, and other elements of American infrastructure that played a part in the creation—and the aftermath—of the Disaster.
A tribute to resiliency and a call to action, WALK THROUGH FIRE tells the harrowing story of the Waverly Train Disaster from the perspectives of those who survived it, and those who still feel its impact today, illuminating how much a nation still has to learn from one small town in Tennessee.
“The Waverly Train Disaster which happened just minutes away from where I live, was one of the worst events ever to happen to the people of Waverly, many of whom I have been honored to know, and this amazing story of how they dealt with it has important lessons for all of us. Like me, Dr. Yasmine Ali is from this part of the world and this book shows her dedication to sharing and honoring the history of her hometown.” — Country Music legend LORETTA LYNN
On the night of February 22, 1978, a devastating freight train derailment drastically altered Waverly, Tennessee, and its place in history. This was one of the worst train explosions of the twentieth century, killing 16 people, injuring hundreds more, and causing millions of dollars in damage.
What could have been dismissed as a single community’s terrible misfortune instead became the catalyst for radical change, including the formation of FEMA, much-needed reforms in emergency response training, and the creation and enforcement of national and state safety regulations. Response to the disaster reshaped American infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the future of emergency management and disaster relief . . . and yet most Americans have never heard of Waverly.
Dr. Yasmine S. Ali, an award-winning medical writer and Waverly native, sets out to change this in WALK THROUGH FIRE, drawing from over a decade of meticulous research and interviews with survivors, first responders, and other firsthand accounts, including those of her own parents, first-generation Americans who were on call at the local hospital that treated the victims. Ali weaves a compelling narrative of small-town tragedy set against the broader backdrop of U.S. railroad history, rural healthcare, and other elements of American infrastructure that played a part in the creation—and the aftermath—of the Disaster.
A tribute to resiliency and a call to action, WALK THROUGH FIRE tells the harrowing story of the Waverly Train Disaster from the perspectives of those who survived it, and those who still feel its impact today, illuminating how much a nation still has to learn from one small town in Tennessee.
“The Waverly Train Disaster which happened just minutes away from where I live, was one of the worst events ever to happen to the people of Waverly, many of whom I have been honored to know, and this amazing story of how they dealt with it has important lessons for all of us. Like me, Dr. Yasmine Ali is from this part of the world and this book shows her dedication to sharing and honoring the history of her hometown.” — Country Music legend LORETTA LYNN
272 pages, Hardcover
Published February 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 30, 2022
Publication: February 21, 2023.
Walk Through Fire: The Train Disaster That Changed America is a riveting narrative about one of the pivotal train disasters in America - a freight train derailment in Waverly, Tennessee, on February 22, 1978.
The derailment started a chain of events that would result in 16 deaths and the establishment of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) as well as the passage of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. On February 24, 1978, when the cleanup operation was in full swing, propane in one of the damaged tankers exploded.
Yasmine Ali, a local whose parents, doctors, were saving lives on that fateful day, got mesmerized by the quirks of fate. As with all major catastrophes, the difference between life and death lay in seemingly insignificant details. Combining interviews with archival research, the author reconstructed the minute-by-minute movements of everybody involved in the accident. For a broader overview, the author added chapters about the history of the city, railroad construction, and a hospital Nautilus Memorial that had initially treated the injured.
The book's part, directly connected with the disaster, deserves the highest praise. Due to the personal stories that can't leave the reader unmoved, I can see the book turned into a documentary or serving as a background for a drama movie about love and loss. In contrast, the following chapters focusing on the legal changes after the explosion look inferior in their ability to captivate the reader. Though important, academic style and statistical data do not allow one to immerse in the reading.
Walk through Fire will be a perfect book for those who like to travel and make discoveries in America's small towns. Waverly, Tennessee, has a museum dedicated to the events. For history buffs, the book offers the roots of today's handling of disasters, whether natural catastrophes or man-made.
I obtained an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Walk Through Fire: The Train Disaster That Changed America is a riveting narrative about one of the pivotal train disasters in America - a freight train derailment in Waverly, Tennessee, on February 22, 1978.
The derailment started a chain of events that would result in 16 deaths and the establishment of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) as well as the passage of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. On February 24, 1978, when the cleanup operation was in full swing, propane in one of the damaged tankers exploded.
Yasmine Ali, a local whose parents, doctors, were saving lives on that fateful day, got mesmerized by the quirks of fate. As with all major catastrophes, the difference between life and death lay in seemingly insignificant details. Combining interviews with archival research, the author reconstructed the minute-by-minute movements of everybody involved in the accident. For a broader overview, the author added chapters about the history of the city, railroad construction, and a hospital Nautilus Memorial that had initially treated the injured.
The book's part, directly connected with the disaster, deserves the highest praise. Due to the personal stories that can't leave the reader unmoved, I can see the book turned into a documentary or serving as a background for a drama movie about love and loss. In contrast, the following chapters focusing on the legal changes after the explosion look inferior in their ability to captivate the reader. Though important, academic style and statistical data do not allow one to immerse in the reading.
Walk through Fire will be a perfect book for those who like to travel and make discoveries in America's small towns. Waverly, Tennessee, has a museum dedicated to the events. For history buffs, the book offers the roots of today's handling of disasters, whether natural catastrophes or man-made.
I obtained an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 27, 2023
This is an excellent look at the Waverly train disaster and is told through the eyes of people who were actually there. The author is from Waverly and her care and attention to detail are excellent. In light of the fact that so many train disasters have occurred lately, this is an important read.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
August 18, 2023
Very good prologue, disappointing book. Okay enough in spots and without glaring weaknesses but missing something. Like an unseasoned meal perhaps?
As much as I appreciated and related to the author's love for her hometown I needed more. While I was reading this book a close friend from high school recommended a podcast by Zak Levitt called The Set (https://www.audacy.com/podcast/the-se...). [There's a point to this tangent.] We went to HS in Providence, RI and were both working in the same field in NYC during the 1990s. The Set is about corruption in the NYPD during a specific period in 1993. Neither my friend or I had anything to do with the subject of the podcast but we had looser connections and I had a direct connection with one of the subjects of the podcast at the very time the story took place. So we both loved the podcast because it was, I believe, very well done and generally very interesting. But maybe we loved it just a bit more because we had a connection to the place, the time, and for a few extra reasons.
I think if I had any connections to Waverly or train disasters I would have at least liked the book for its relatability. Its flatness made one aspect particularly irritating though. In the prologue and Coda the author freely mentioned that her parents are physicians and played a central role in caring for the victims of the explosion. In the book, however, she referred to them as doctors Ali and Maysoon and referred to herself as an unnamed "daughter." She may have done this because in the book she elevated both to mythically heroic status and perhaps she wanted to create a sense of distance and objectivity. I didn't suddenly forget the relationship as I read the book so for whatever reason it was done that way it didn't work.
The recent catastrophe in East Palestine, OH (and lesser known accidents in the daily news) is a stark reminder that railway disasters are still a problem everywhere. I suspect there's a better book about the subject out there somewhere.
As much as I appreciated and related to the author's love for her hometown I needed more. While I was reading this book a close friend from high school recommended a podcast by Zak Levitt called The Set (https://www.audacy.com/podcast/the-se...). [There's a point to this tangent.] We went to HS in Providence, RI and were both working in the same field in NYC during the 1990s. The Set is about corruption in the NYPD during a specific period in 1993. Neither my friend or I had anything to do with the subject of the podcast but we had looser connections and I had a direct connection with one of the subjects of the podcast at the very time the story took place. So we both loved the podcast because it was, I believe, very well done and generally very interesting. But maybe we loved it just a bit more because we had a connection to the place, the time, and for a few extra reasons.
I think if I had any connections to Waverly or train disasters I would have at least liked the book for its relatability. Its flatness made one aspect particularly irritating though. In the prologue and Coda the author freely mentioned that her parents are physicians and played a central role in caring for the victims of the explosion. In the book, however, she referred to them as doctors Ali and Maysoon and referred to herself as an unnamed "daughter." She may have done this because in the book she elevated both to mythically heroic status and perhaps she wanted to create a sense of distance and objectivity. I didn't suddenly forget the relationship as I read the book so for whatever reason it was done that way it didn't work.
The recent catastrophe in East Palestine, OH (and lesser known accidents in the daily news) is a stark reminder that railway disasters are still a problem everywhere. I suspect there's a better book about the subject out there somewhere.
October 16, 2023
The story of a train derailment in the small Tennessee town of Waverly, in 1978. The disastrous results of the accident led to the formation of FEMA.
All in all the book was OK. I found the authors writing lacking and could not connect to her. Also, she seemed to jump all the place. The beginning, though slow, was a good introduction to the victims and their families. We do not get to the actual event until nearly mid book. After that there are pages and pages about the politics, the lack of disaster coordination and then we jump back to the survivors and their injuries and their treatment.
I think it would have been a much better book if all the information about the railroad company and government were at the end of the book.
All in all the book was OK. I found the authors writing lacking and could not connect to her. Also, she seemed to jump all the place. The beginning, though slow, was a good introduction to the victims and their families. We do not get to the actual event until nearly mid book. After that there are pages and pages about the politics, the lack of disaster coordination and then we jump back to the survivors and their injuries and their treatment.
I think it would have been a much better book if all the information about the railroad company and government were at the end of the book.
February 25, 2024
A frustrating read. You’re over 60% of the way through the book before you learn the cause of the accident.
Everything prior to that is a narrative of the local hospital, where the author’s parents were doctors at the time, from the leadup to the aftermath of the incident at Waverley. People who aren’t direct relatives are introduced at a rapid pace, given varying levels of background, and sometimes reappear after several chapters without any refresher.
A bit less than a third of the book is a short, scattershot history of the investigation into the accident by the NTSB, the creation of FEMA and local disaster response agencies, the changes in transportation of hazardous materials, and the modern struggles facing rural hospitals. These topics are covered at a breathless pace because of the scope.
Over a tenth of the book is the epilogue, coda, in memoriam, and acknowledgements. I’m exasperated enough to skip those and mark this as finished.
Everything prior to that is a narrative of the local hospital, where the author’s parents were doctors at the time, from the leadup to the aftermath of the incident at Waverley. People who aren’t direct relatives are introduced at a rapid pace, given varying levels of background, and sometimes reappear after several chapters without any refresher.
A bit less than a third of the book is a short, scattershot history of the investigation into the accident by the NTSB, the creation of FEMA and local disaster response agencies, the changes in transportation of hazardous materials, and the modern struggles facing rural hospitals. These topics are covered at a breathless pace because of the scope.
Over a tenth of the book is the epilogue, coda, in memoriam, and acknowledgements. I’m exasperated enough to skip those and mark this as finished.
April 2, 2023
A combination history about a man made catastrophe (e.g. Johnstown Flood), a short history of American healthcare and “rural” hospitals, lessons from regulations of trains (timely) and government catastrophe management (the birth and death and rebirth of FEMA). I hope this book does not get overlooked. Touching, compelling, and thoughtful. The author is the daughter of the Pakistani surgeon who saved the lives of a dozen critically injured burn victims.
January 6, 2024
Factual book about the horrible fire in WaverlyTn.in 1978 that attributed to 16 deaths and many injured.
Parts of the town were devastated.
This was caused by a train derailment that was carrying 2 tanks of explosives.
This caught a lot of people off guard & caused tremendous grief.
FEMA was formed as a by product of this catastrophe by President Jimmy Carter.
This disaster was supposedly seen World Wide but I don't remember it,but owing too my youth & three small children,I didn't watch much news in those days.
I was,however very much aware of the devastating flood,that occurred in 2021 in Waverly,as it also
took 16 lives & caused millions in damages & was in the news for days.
This book was written by the daughter of two Drs.that were on staff at the small Hospital,during the train wreck & has memorable stories & events that happened.
If interested in Tennessee happenings,this book is a very good source.
Parts of the town were devastated.
This was caused by a train derailment that was carrying 2 tanks of explosives.
This caught a lot of people off guard & caused tremendous grief.
FEMA was formed as a by product of this catastrophe by President Jimmy Carter.
This disaster was supposedly seen World Wide but I don't remember it,but owing too my youth & three small children,I didn't watch much news in those days.
I was,however very much aware of the devastating flood,that occurred in 2021 in Waverly,as it also
took 16 lives & caused millions in damages & was in the news for days.
This book was written by the daughter of two Drs.that were on staff at the small Hospital,during the train wreck & has memorable stories & events that happened.
If interested in Tennessee happenings,this book is a very good source.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2023
This is an excellent book. I was a volunteer firefighter on and off from 1976 to 2021. I have taught Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) courses for 30 years. I have read many books about disasters, both natural and manmade. This is one of the best. This book has no agenda other than to tell the story of the accident and its aftermath. It details the suffering of the victims and theheroic efforts of the doctors and nurses, including the author's parents to provide care for the burn victims. I have never read a book for general audiences that describes the pain and anguish that burn victims go through as well as this one does.
If you are interested in any aspect of emergency response, this book is a must read.
If you are interested in any aspect of emergency response, this book is a must read.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
June 5, 2023I was looking forward to this book, especially after reading the spectacular opening scene, but after that the plot grinds to a halt. We learn about the background of everything - the lives of the police officers, the training of the doctors and nurses at the hospital, even the history of the town going back a couple of hundred years. Then, when we finally get to the incident at the center of the book, we see many of these people come to the hospital, each describing the same horrors over and over. It's not working for me, so I'm out after 103 pages.
June 19, 2023
Such a personal telling of this terrible thing that happened in 1978 80 miles from where I grew up, and don't remember ever hearing about it. My aunt, who lived in Nashville at the time, does remember the helicopters (from Ft Campbell?) flying over their house enroute to help. This is part disaster story, history of Tennessee and government disaster services and state of rural hospitals (theirs which played a big part in this event), and tribute to the excellent doctors (her parents were two of them) and nurses and the city of Waverly itself.
July 18, 2024
The pacing was a major issue for me (and for other readers, it seems). The amount of unnecessary (and sometimes seemingly unrelated) information unfortunately made this really difficult to get through.
November 11, 2022
Ever heard of the Waverly Train Disaster of 1978? No, I hadn't either. However, I am glad Yasmine Ali rectified that situation.
Ali, who grew up in Waverly, TN and whose parents feature prominently in the narrative, tells the story of a train derailment which turned into a massive explosion well after the crash. The explosion would leave hundreds injured and 16 dead. The aftermath would lead to the creation of FEMA in the U.S.
The good parts of this book are very good. Ali writes about Waverly in a very loving manner and her familiarity with the people of the town makes her prose that much more effective. She does not dwell too long on any one person or event and the increasing tension is palpable before the explosion. Ali's medical training also adds to the story but she never gets too deep into "doctor speak." When Ali is focused on the people and the train disaster, this book is excellent.
I have some minor quibbles. The section on legislation and the creation of FEMA slows down the book overall. Other disaster books usually need to talk about long, drawn out court battles but there wasn't much to speak of after Waverly. FEMA just sort of seemed inevitable as opposed to a true call to action over insurmountable odds.
The only other criticism is the explosion is not explained in depth. There are recollections from people in Waverly when it happened, but there is no cohesive section explaining exactly what happened when everything finally ignited. Again, this is a very minor detail and did not inhibit my enjoyment of the book. I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys books of people or towns overcoming tragedy.
(This book was provided to me as an advance copy by Netgalley and Kensington Books. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 2/23/2023.)
Ali, who grew up in Waverly, TN and whose parents feature prominently in the narrative, tells the story of a train derailment which turned into a massive explosion well after the crash. The explosion would leave hundreds injured and 16 dead. The aftermath would lead to the creation of FEMA in the U.S.
The good parts of this book are very good. Ali writes about Waverly in a very loving manner and her familiarity with the people of the town makes her prose that much more effective. She does not dwell too long on any one person or event and the increasing tension is palpable before the explosion. Ali's medical training also adds to the story but she never gets too deep into "doctor speak." When Ali is focused on the people and the train disaster, this book is excellent.
I have some minor quibbles. The section on legislation and the creation of FEMA slows down the book overall. Other disaster books usually need to talk about long, drawn out court battles but there wasn't much to speak of after Waverly. FEMA just sort of seemed inevitable as opposed to a true call to action over insurmountable odds.
The only other criticism is the explosion is not explained in depth. There are recollections from people in Waverly when it happened, but there is no cohesive section explaining exactly what happened when everything finally ignited. Again, this is a very minor detail and did not inhibit my enjoyment of the book. I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys books of people or towns overcoming tragedy.
(This book was provided to me as an advance copy by Netgalley and Kensington Books. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 2/23/2023.)
February 17, 2023
What an absolutely fascinating book! I was vaguely aware of the Waverly train disaster since my husband is a train buff. He also was on a FEMA task force that went to NYC after September 11th 2001. so knew the history of FEMA more thoroughly than I. We both have a background in emergency services and had discussed disaster management and when it began. This book filled in so many blanks in my understanding.
I was on the edge of my seat many times as Dr. Ali was counting down to the time of the disaster. Knowing this was a true story, I didn't want to get to know the people who would ultimately lose their lives. I enjoyed the narrative and how the author took remembrances from those who were actually there, and brought their memories to life.
The scenes of the hospital emergency room and how the authors parents, both doctors, worked to try to save lives was riveting. I wanted to yell my encouragement to her father when he jumped on a table and told everyone he was in charge! What a fabulous man.
The portion of the book that spoke about the changes that took place after the disaster, was needed, but for me dragged a bit. I am still a bit angry about all of the bureaucracy that played a part in this disaster, and getting help to those in need. I shed a few tears at the end of the book reading about those who perished and those who's lives changed in a split second. Where they were then and where they are now.
A fine historical account of a train derailment in a small town, that had national significance in the way we handle disasters, domestically and abroad.
I was on the edge of my seat many times as Dr. Ali was counting down to the time of the disaster. Knowing this was a true story, I didn't want to get to know the people who would ultimately lose their lives. I enjoyed the narrative and how the author took remembrances from those who were actually there, and brought their memories to life.
The scenes of the hospital emergency room and how the authors parents, both doctors, worked to try to save lives was riveting. I wanted to yell my encouragement to her father when he jumped on a table and told everyone he was in charge! What a fabulous man.
The portion of the book that spoke about the changes that took place after the disaster, was needed, but for me dragged a bit. I am still a bit angry about all of the bureaucracy that played a part in this disaster, and getting help to those in need. I shed a few tears at the end of the book reading about those who perished and those who's lives changed in a split second. Where they were then and where they are now.
A fine historical account of a train derailment in a small town, that had national significance in the way we handle disasters, domestically and abroad.
February 24, 2023
Current headlines unfortunately prove that Dr. Yasmine Ali's absorbing real-life drama here could not be more timely or alarming, an astonishing 45 years later. We are drawn into a minute-by-minute playback of the events of February 1978 in tiny Waverly, Tennessee, when a freight train derailed and the subsequent rupture of two cars filled with propane set off a killing, maiming inferno of epic proportions. Because Dr. Ali's parents lived in Waverly with their very young daughters and worked at the town's hospital, Nautilus (her father being the sole surgeon on staff), she grew up knowing many of the town's public servants, health personnel, and community and business leaders who had all been impacted in big and small ways by this catastrophe. No one had a more intimate relationship with the plight of the explosion victims in the aftermath than Dr. Ali's surgeon dad, through whose hands passed countless burn victims, many unrecognizable. His courageous, unstinting service on that day, bolstered by his wife, the nursing staff, and a host of unsung heroes from the workaday Waverly community, saved many, many lives. Equally important, the Waverly disaster was the catalyst for major legislative changes to regulate railway safety measures that could have prevented this and other similar tragedies for many, many years, and it also became the impetus for the founding of one centralized federal agency, FEMA, to replace the piecemeal patchwork of agencies tasked with handling previous disasters of this magnitude, both natural and manmade. Dr. Yasmine Ali writes with compassion, precision, and appreciation for every town character she brings into her spotlight from that fateful weekend, and her first-hand history lessons shine because of the personalities she infuses them all with. As hard as it must have been for her to listen to her family and neighbors relive the terrible events of 1978 for her research, we are all the better for it, and fortunate to witness the courage and resolve of small-town America at its best, and the common good for the whole country that arose from these ashes. Compelling journalistic nonfiction at its best.
October 14, 2023
Since I live in a railroad town and I can hear the trains go by my house, I was interested in Walk Through Fire. I was in high school when the Waverly Train Disaster happened, and even though my parents are both from Tennessee, I don’t remember hearing anything about it.
Ali was a child in Waverly when the disaster happened. Her parents are physicians who emigrated from the Middle East to Waverly and played critical roles in the one bright spot during the disaster – the triage work that took place in the small local hospital after the explosion. Ali is justifiably proud of them and interested in the disaster, and her personal interest is reflected in the book.
Ali covers a lot of ground. Some of the information did not add much to the story for me as a reader. For example, there is a long part about Union Forces in Tennessee during the Civil War and the laying of tracks by Black laborers, and the information about what caused the disaster was very detailed. But Ali really cares about the town and its people, and she knows many of the survivors, and her empathy for the people of Waverly really shines through. I can tell she did a lot of research and conducted a lot of interviews. She describes the terrible burns that people suffered with compassion and her own medical knowledge as a doctor.
I actually feel better about the unknown cargo on trains coming through Galesburg each night after reading this book. A lot of mistakes were made that led to the Waverly explosion, by the railroad and by local law enforcement because they had no idea how dangerous the situation is. A full investigation led to a number of changes to regulations and standards and to the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
I listened to the author read much of the book. She’s not a professional reader, and some of her phrasing was a little odd. However, her own passion for the subject kept me going.
If you live near trains or are interested in how disasters shaped our lives for the better by prompting safety changes, you might want to read Walk Through Fire.
Ali was a child in Waverly when the disaster happened. Her parents are physicians who emigrated from the Middle East to Waverly and played critical roles in the one bright spot during the disaster – the triage work that took place in the small local hospital after the explosion. Ali is justifiably proud of them and interested in the disaster, and her personal interest is reflected in the book.
Ali covers a lot of ground. Some of the information did not add much to the story for me as a reader. For example, there is a long part about Union Forces in Tennessee during the Civil War and the laying of tracks by Black laborers, and the information about what caused the disaster was very detailed. But Ali really cares about the town and its people, and she knows many of the survivors, and her empathy for the people of Waverly really shines through. I can tell she did a lot of research and conducted a lot of interviews. She describes the terrible burns that people suffered with compassion and her own medical knowledge as a doctor.
I actually feel better about the unknown cargo on trains coming through Galesburg each night after reading this book. A lot of mistakes were made that led to the Waverly explosion, by the railroad and by local law enforcement because they had no idea how dangerous the situation is. A full investigation led to a number of changes to regulations and standards and to the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
I listened to the author read much of the book. She’s not a professional reader, and some of her phrasing was a little odd. However, her own passion for the subject kept me going.
If you live near trains or are interested in how disasters shaped our lives for the better by prompting safety changes, you might want to read Walk Through Fire.
March 3, 2023
I Recommend This Modern American History Recounting
In February, 1978, the small town of Waverly, Tennessee, came to the world's attention when a train derailment and subsequent liquid propane explosion was the worst train disaster known. The small town was able to quickly come together and save many of the people injured in the explosion, although 16 died either instantly or after in hospitals due to extensive injuries.
Dr. Ali, who grew up in Waverly, was captured by the drama when she met one of the survivors when she was an adult. For a decade or more she started gathering stories from the survivors and researching not only what happened in Waverly, but also the long term effects on governmental policies and the handling of disasters. FEMA was one of many improvements that were made after the lessons learned that tragic day.
Although the topic is devastating, Ali gives the book an optimistic feel. Her writing shows the heart of the topic and the people involved, not just the overall facts. There weren't 16 casualties that day - there were 16 living, vibrant people who died due to the disaster. Ali is able to bring a few of their stories to life as well as honoring those still living who were involved or injured that day.
Ali tells Waverly's story with history behind the scenes as well. The reader learns about the important set of tracks that go through Waverly. Medical procedures leading up to that time are highlighted, and the knowledge of the time was quickly applied, saving lives and limbs that could have been lost under different circumstances. This history is interwoven with the events of the derailment through the disaster and after. The last section of the book is devoted to the ways laws started changing, the creation of different disaster protocols and agencies (including FEMA) and the continuation of the changes.
In February, 1978, the small town of Waverly, Tennessee, came to the world's attention when a train derailment and subsequent liquid propane explosion was the worst train disaster known. The small town was able to quickly come together and save many of the people injured in the explosion, although 16 died either instantly or after in hospitals due to extensive injuries.
Dr. Ali, who grew up in Waverly, was captured by the drama when she met one of the survivors when she was an adult. For a decade or more she started gathering stories from the survivors and researching not only what happened in Waverly, but also the long term effects on governmental policies and the handling of disasters. FEMA was one of many improvements that were made after the lessons learned that tragic day.
Although the topic is devastating, Ali gives the book an optimistic feel. Her writing shows the heart of the topic and the people involved, not just the overall facts. There weren't 16 casualties that day - there were 16 living, vibrant people who died due to the disaster. Ali is able to bring a few of their stories to life as well as honoring those still living who were involved or injured that day.
Ali tells Waverly's story with history behind the scenes as well. The reader learns about the important set of tracks that go through Waverly. Medical procedures leading up to that time are highlighted, and the knowledge of the time was quickly applied, saving lives and limbs that could have been lost under different circumstances. This history is interwoven with the events of the derailment through the disaster and after. The last section of the book is devoted to the ways laws started changing, the creation of different disaster protocols and agencies (including FEMA) and the continuation of the changes.
July 15, 2024
Tale of two books. I enjoyed the first half (probably a little more than half). There are some interesting historical tidbits about Waverly, Tennessee and the author’s family, and the descriptions of the accident itself and those it affected are compelling. The description of the people and their injuries is raw and heartbreaking, and the description of how little ol’ Waverly handled the immediate aftermath of the explosion is uplifting. That’s where the author is at her best, and it’s good stuff. The second half (little less) about the regulatory response could have used some editing. The description of the changes to the railroad industry was particularly dry. The description of the creation of FEMA is interesting, but it needed to lose some of the minutiae. I’m a native Tennessean, and I didn’t know anything about this event even though it occurred after I was born. I generally enjoy this kind of story, learning about something that I would have thought I’d heard of before now. And the connection to the creation of FEMA is truly fascinating. It’s written in a mostly matter-of-fact style, and as I said, could have used some editing in parts. All in all, 3 stars.
March 24, 2023
This is the best nonfiction book I've ever read
And I've been an avid reader for over 60 years.
The episode at the center of this book is illuminated and enriched by the incredible depth of research and interviews done with all the survivors. Dr. Ali's writing brings every personal story to vivid life. Her explanations of each aspect of Waverly's town, history, wonderful people, technical findings of the cause of the disaster, technical and historical evolution of laws to deal with disasters and prevent them, and the hospital environment are clear, compelling, and totally understandable.
I've never had a "history" book grab and hold my attention so thoroughly. This book is a treasure as a remarkable memorial to those sadly lost and an honor to all the large and small heroes of Waverly who survived. Dr. Ali may be a doctor, but she is also an engaging, empathic, and talented TEACHER. I hope she will continue to share her astute insights in more books in the future.
And I've been an avid reader for over 60 years.
The episode at the center of this book is illuminated and enriched by the incredible depth of research and interviews done with all the survivors. Dr. Ali's writing brings every personal story to vivid life. Her explanations of each aspect of Waverly's town, history, wonderful people, technical findings of the cause of the disaster, technical and historical evolution of laws to deal with disasters and prevent them, and the hospital environment are clear, compelling, and totally understandable.
I've never had a "history" book grab and hold my attention so thoroughly. This book is a treasure as a remarkable memorial to those sadly lost and an honor to all the large and small heroes of Waverly who survived. Dr. Ali may be a doctor, but she is also an engaging, empathic, and talented TEACHER. I hope she will continue to share her astute insights in more books in the future.
July 29, 2023
Due to my background in healthcare, I picked up this book after seeing the author's posts on social media. I was curious to read a book written by a physician on a topic other than clinical practice and medical diseases. It is very well-written with a large amount of research behind it. The story of the train derailment and subsequent explosion was told through the eyes of local residents who were interviewed by the author. Dr. Ali's parents were physicians working in Waverly, Tennessee at the time of the incident. They and area nurses provided stories of the injured, and details of how a small hospital quickly triaged and treated the influx of patients. Then Dr. Ali writes of a number of misteps, that when combined, caused the train derailment and explosion. She also tells of legislation and measures taken to improve safety in the railroad industry. The author's clear and interesting storytelling allowed me to come away with a good understanding of these topics despite having no particular interest or prior knowledge of them.
March 8, 2023
WALK THROUGH FIRE by Dr. Yasmine Ali tells the story of the 1978 train derailment and subsequent propane tanker explosion that killed 16 and scarred my sweet hometown of Waverly, Tennessee.
This is a story many of us Waverly natives know by heart, but even I have learned facts from this book I didn't previously know.
Yasmine's parents, both physicians, had moved to Waverly not long before the explosion. It was their diligence and fortitude that kept the death count no more than it was. And from this disaster came the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
Yasmine relied both on case documents and local interviews to write the first and only book to detail the disaster.
I'm so thankful for her hard work. And y'all, the woman can write a damn book. The prologue alone left me gasping!
This is a story many of us Waverly natives know by heart, but even I have learned facts from this book I didn't previously know.
Yasmine's parents, both physicians, had moved to Waverly not long before the explosion. It was their diligence and fortitude that kept the death count no more than it was. And from this disaster came the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
Yasmine relied both on case documents and local interviews to write the first and only book to detail the disaster.
I'm so thankful for her hard work. And y'all, the woman can write a damn book. The prologue alone left me gasping!
March 5, 2023
This was an excellent history of the LPG gas explosion in Waverly, TN of 2/24/1978, an event that led to the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).In addition to the historical events surrounding the explosion, Dr. Ali explored diverse related topics, including the L&N Railroad, founding of Waverly, rail safety and the conditions affecting rural health care, both at the time of the explosion and now. Walk Through Fire is highly recommended as history and warning. As the current events in Ohio demonstrate, ever longer trains are transporting hazardous materials throughout the country using minimal train staff and self-monitoring of safety procedures. Thanks to Dr. Ali, forewarned is forearmed.
November 9, 2022
stars
Walk through Fire
Yasmine Ali
Wow! This is an absolutely fascinating and in-depth look at the train wreck/explosion that happened in Waverly Tn in 1978. The author, a lifelong resident of Waverly and daughter of two of the small town doctors who treated the patients, has extensively researched what happened and talked as many people as possible. This is a true must-read book. Ms. Ali makes the reader feel as though they are right there in the midst of things as the events are unfolding.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
Walk through Fire
Yasmine Ali
Wow! This is an absolutely fascinating and in-depth look at the train wreck/explosion that happened in Waverly Tn in 1978. The author, a lifelong resident of Waverly and daughter of two of the small town doctors who treated the patients, has extensively researched what happened and talked as many people as possible. This is a true must-read book. Ms. Ali makes the reader feel as though they are right there in the midst of things as the events are unfolding.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
December 28, 2022
This is top notch narrative non-fiction about a train wreck of epic proportions and the disaster that followed. It also shows how a small town in Tennessee, navigated this ramifications of the train wreck, especially the doctors and nurses of a small, local hospital, who valiantly tried to save the survivors. Ultimately, this disaster led to the creation of FEMA. But most of all, this is the author's love letter to her parents and her home town. For readers of Lizzie Johnson, Kirk Wallace Johnson and Patrick Radden Keefe.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
July 31, 2023
The author's prose really pops during the chapters discussing the medical personnel and the hospital's response during the catastrophe. Two derailed tankers were labelled anhydrous ammonia actually contained liquid propane. :O
"By 1976...the term "standing derailment"--used to describe how otherwise stationary rail cars would simply fall off tracks that were so poorly maintained the cars could no longer stand upright on them--became commonplace."
An educational, interesting nonfiction book.
"By 1976...the term "standing derailment"--used to describe how otherwise stationary rail cars would simply fall off tracks that were so poorly maintained the cars could no longer stand upright on them--became commonplace."
An educational, interesting nonfiction book.
January 13, 2024
Ali did an excellent job putting together all of the stories which she compiled into a single, interesting and easy to read narrative. I could tell she is a medical professional due to some of the detail she goes into as well as the attention paid to the hospital and medical staff. A couple of later chapters do read more like a report, but this demonstrates how thoroughly Ali covers this incident. It is a fascinating book to read while also being able to serve as a reference for others in the future.
February 19, 2023
A very thorough and well written account of the 1978 rain disaster in Waverly, Tennessee. The book is filled with first person accounts that bring the derailing and the subsequent explosion into vivid detail. Although 16 persons lost their lives, quick, professional work by the doctors and nurses at the nearby local hospital saved many. As I was reading about this disaster, the train derailment and fire in Ohio happened.
May 30, 2023
Dang this was good, and I am so glad I won it on a Goodreads Give Away. Ali does a great job of humanizing a horrible event, the 1978 train derailment and subsequent explosion; showcasing the heroics of regular people, showing the resilience of a community, and real toughness. This book is hard to put down, and you have to see it through to the end. A big salute to the people of Waverly Tennessee, stay strong. Check it out.
March 18, 2023
This book was good but very slow to read, it does give decent insight to rural first response as I am from the state of Tn and also a first responder it was interesting to learn about the disaster more in depth as I had only heard about it vaguely. And also to learn that it lead to the formation of FEMA. I would recommend this book if you are very interested in trains
May 1, 2023
This was an amazing story based in Tennessee. Very scary and very tragic.
Some of the writing about the government agencies was a bit tedious at times, but considering
all they had to sift through after this accident was incredible. If it wasn't for the actions of the surviving townspeople, more lives would have been lost.
Some of the writing about the government agencies was a bit tedious at times, but considering
all they had to sift through after this accident was incredible. If it wasn't for the actions of the surviving townspeople, more lives would have been lost.
May 7, 2023
This disaster was discussed in my HAZMAT technician training. When I saw the book at my local library I had to read it. I'm glad I did. It is well written and the author is good at writing and telling a story. The details are thorough, and gives a really good understanding of what happened, and the people involved.
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