Uncovering the Tragic Tale of the Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Betrayal, Disaster, and Unparalleled Bravery

Steve Walker: This is a fascinating true story. Bacon ties together the real life, and terrifying death, stories leading up to then through the great Halifax explosion that destroyed most of Halifax, Nova Scotia in an instant on December 6, 1917.

The story as told is both horrifying and uplifting. Any reader should be prepared to be shocked at what happened while simultaneously having faith renewed in humanity’s ability to overcome tragedy beyond imagination.

This should be required reading at many school levels.

United States on Jan 09, 2024

David: Well researched and told with feeling, The Great Halifax Explosion brings to life a critical piece of not just Canadian history, but world history; it’s far-reaching implications touched international relations, disaster relief and preparedness and even what would become the Atomic Age. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

United States on Nov 19, 2023

Who Me?: I read a friends copy and liked it so much, I bought one to loan out to other friends.

They all loved it too.

The terrible history of the largest man made explosion before the atomic bomb.

United States on Oct 11, 2023

Gail Spell: If you’ve never heard of the Tragedy in Halifax, Nova Scotia,you must read this book. It’s one of the most fascinating accounts of how a city was leveled and everything in it. It also tells you much history of the people who survived and relations between Canada and the U.S. at that time. One of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read, and I’m an avid reader. Don’t miss it!

United States on Apr 13, 2023

Amazon Customer: I gained quite a lot from this book. My main interest was to learn about the explosion itself, partly because I am from Nova Scotia. The author puts the explosion in the context of the times in North America. In the War of 1812, the Americans were unsuccessful in gaining control of eastern Canada. Up until the early 20th century, American politicians in the Northeast expressed interest in absorbing eastern Canada. Boston was a large well established city. Halifax was, that that time, the Canadian equivalent. When the explosion occurred, Boston leadership immediately sent a large contingent of medical assistance to Halifax- the convoy and train left Boston even before they heard back from Halifax that their offer of assistance would be accepted. The local Halifax Medical system was stretched up to and beyond its limits but was doing an amazing job - the arrival of a fresh crew that were able to establish a largely independent effort was very much appreciated by all, including the politicians. This event cemented a relationship between the two cities that continues to this day and there was no more talk of absorbing the Maritime Provinces into the US.

As for the cause of the...

Canada on Jan 09, 2022

John: We visited Halifax NS in the summer and so wanted to find out more about the 1917 explosion. Considering it was the largest ever man-made explosion until the atomic bombs were dropped it has been surprisingly forgotten. The Penguin History of Canada for example doesn't even mention it. This book does a good job of recreating the events, although I'm not sure why treachery is mentioned In the title - it was all down to incompetence.

United Kingdom on Nov 20, 2019

Starfield: Amazing story of mistakes leading to devastation then bringing out the best of humanity in the aftermath. Reoomend to all history students

Australia on Mar 14, 2019

Amazon Customer: The only reason that I didn't award this five stars is the amount of repetition, but it is a riveting story of the desperate measures that were taken to supply munitions to the allied army in World War1 and the resulting tragedy. No treachery that I could see but a lot of heroism.
I am really glad to have read this book and am not likely tov forget about this awful disaster and the wonderful way in which people responded to it.

United Kingdom on Oct 31, 2018

Carolyn: This is a very well researched and authoritative account of the deadly and destructive Halifax explosion, the worst man made explosion prior to Hiroshima. I thought the first part of the book read too much like a textbook account of historic events. It covered not only the history of Halifax, but history of American/Canadian relations and Canadian history as these connected to Halifax. There was much about Canadians’ involvement in WW1 and descriptions of Halifax during wartime with sailors leaving there for Europe, and also the supply ships and convoys in the harbor. There was also a history of development of explosives which were to be used in wartime.
Then we get the details leading up to the massive explosion, but the ships do not collide until about page 140 in the book. From that point on we get vivid descriptions of a city in ruins, the horrible loss of life and terrible injuries. An entire section of Halifax was destroyed:homes, churches, schools, businesses collapsed. Immediately following the explosion a 35 foot tsunami swept away some who were still alive. Those who survived, many with injuries including blindness, burns, loss of limbs had no idea if any family...

Canada on Dec 24, 2017

Bill Emblom: We're coming up to the 100th anniversary of the explosion that rocked Halifax and the surrounding communities on December 6, 1917 and author John Bacon has done a marvelous job in relating the events that led up to the tragedy along with the suffering that took place, and people coming together to assist one another in times of urgent need. This is a story of people giving of themselves in whatever way they could and individuals contributing financially while doctors from many localities offered their services. The United States and Canada had an uneasy relationship due to America's desire to annex Canada but Boston, Massachusetts, came through big time to assist their neighbor to the north which created goodwill between the two countries. Even today the province of Nova Scotia provides Boston with a prime Christmas tree in a show of gratitude for their help 100 years ago.

Author Bacon sums up the book with the legal ramifications that took place as to which ship was to blame for the collision in the harbor at Halifax. This is a story of severe heartache with the towns of Halifax, Dartmouth, and Richmond being especially hard hit by the explosion. However, it is also the...

United States on Nov 25, 2017