The Children's Blizzard is the foreboding title that came to rest upon the blizzard that raged through the American Dakotas on the evening of January 12, 1888. The next morning, Friday the 13th as luck would have it, brought terrible news to many families. Scores of children across the prairies had not been able to make it home from school, nor to safety anywhere. The storm had caught them unaware and unprepared.
This book was a fascinating look into harsh pioneer winters. From the background on why immigration was so high (hello, propoganda) to the living conditions and weather conditions, Laskin provides a clear look at the 1880s prairie. As somehow who grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder, and finding The Long Winter (1881) so very, very long, I enjoyed the trip back to those days, gaining a deeper and more thorough appreciation for the trials they faced.
History is not the only topic discussed, meteorology and hypothermia are also addressed. My eyes glazed over during the chapters about barometers, isobars, cyclostyles, and whaaa???? {blink} But I found the stages of hypothermia quite interesting—how the body fights for life without one's conscious thought or effort is fascinating to me.
Of course, this book is full of sad stories...but I think the title is enough to make you expect that. Any time innocent people die it is a tragedy. But topic aside, I did have a few issues with the construction of the book. The writing is inconsistent: at times poignant, at others overly complicated or vague. Also, organization—vital in nonfiction—was not strong. There were in-depth portions about people or things that mattered little, and fascinating points only touched upon, which resulted in an unbalanced feel. The good news is that the 270-odd pages go by pretty quickly, even if you do read the boring parts. If you have a passing fancy in immigrant or prairie life, this book is worth a passing glance.
