This Gulf of Fire: The Great Lisbon Earthquake, or Apocalypse in the Age of Science and Reason Paperback – October 18, 2016

I have known Professor Molesky since college, and he is the most fascinating historian with whom I have spoken. Professor Molesky has exceptional, nuanced perspectives on modern intellectual, cultural, and political history that will be of significant benefit to every reader. A particularly wonderful aspect of "This Gulf of Fire," is it provides critical specific knowledge of the Lisbon earthquake, while simultaneously addressing a substantially broader array of concepts germane to modern intellectual, cultural, and political history. Professor Molesky is an absolute pleasure to speak with, and all of his delightful insights are manifested in "This Gulf of Fire". If you are a college student and desire a stronger foundation in sophisticated historical thought processes and research methodologies, this is the most effective book to utilize as a reference. If you are a graduate student and want to make enduring, longer term contributions to intellectual, cultural, and political history, "This Gulf of Fire" is an invaluable resource. If you are simply interested in modern intellectual, cultural, and political history, Professor Molesky's book will stand strong as a tremendously valuable aspect of your reading. Many congratulations to Professor Molesky on writing a book that will profoundly influence and shape historical scholarship in invaluable ways for many years to come.

This book is a cautionary tale for the West Coast and especially California about how a natural disaster can change the course of a nation’s history. I had wondered for years how the Portuguese empire collapsed, and I found the answer in the destruction of the city and the social and political structures of the country as well as the strong man who rose to fill the vacuum. It could happen here, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle. This is strong academic book that is well written for the most part. I learned some Portuguese history, some economics, and some Portuguese culture. The plate techtonics and earthquake science is up to date and flows smoothly in and out of the story line. My only suggestion is that when he makes the damage lists, they should be shorted to the most important buildings. The rest of the list could be placed in an appendix.

A very good look at the Lisbon earthquake, the author uses lots of primary sources and provides a great deal of documentation. The author has a fine writing style and it reads like a novel, he has produced a well put together product. He discusses the earthquake, resultant tsunami and subsequent fire. He discusses how the "settled science" at that time did not explain earthquakes and the Pombal inspired descent into a dictatorship basically destroyed the Portuguese economy and set the stage for the troubles later during the Napoleonic times (and retreat to Brazil).All in all a very good though provoking look at the events of the Lisbon quake and afterward perhaps lessons for today when we "dont want to waste a catastrophe". I especially liked the story of Agnes Surriage Franklin and her rags to riches story.

"Sparkling" is the best word for Molesky's prose which is in the very best tradition of historical writing. His archival research is amazingly extensive, and his other sources are impeccable. This will be the standard book on the subject for a very long time. A pleasure to read.

Modesty strives to bring to light one of the defining, yet largely forgotten moments in European and world history. The Lisbon Earthquake realigned the politics and history of Europe.

Great book about an amazing catastrophe in world history. I liked the detail though at times, the story got bogged down by it. Must read for those interested in the European transition to modernity.

I first heard about this historical tragedy on the author's NPR interview about his book a couple of years ago. The review fascinated me and stayed with me until I bought the book. Mark Molesky's vivid and wrenching descriptions of the quake, from its geological beginning through its violent worldwide course, kept me turning the pages. Mankind is so at the mercy of capricious events of nature! Even more interesting were the author's descriptions and analysis of the survivors' reactions, from contemporary religious accounts to the political machinations of the day. Perhaps most fascinating to me were, 1) dated accounts that showed how the news of this event travelled throughout the world, and 2) accounts of multiple relief efforts. Then as now, people came together in times of turmoil to help each other.

If you plan to go to Portugal, especially Lisbon, this is a must-read about a major tragedy almost completely forgotten, but which changed the course of history in Western Europe. Incredibly good research into the destruction of Lisbon and why the city is the way it is today.

This was a really annoying book, not because of the subject, but because of the swarm of details that the author chose to include. I really could not see the direction (the forest) of the book because of the sheer mass of details, names, and anecdotes (the trees) that would frequently circle back and reappear. I suspect that the author is academically inclined and therefore feels a strong need to prove that he has done a heap of research. Most of these details - lists of casualties, for example - belong in appendices or footnotes, not in the main text. It makes for a largely unreadable book. I did manage to finish it, but was not satisfied.

Sometimes the details are too much, but there are lots of good information. I recommend reading this book for the whole

An excellent book , a page turner, about the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and its impact on all of Europe.It is truly a masterpiece. I bought several copies to give as gifts.

Good book. A lot like Simon Winchesters books on Krakatoa and the San Fransisco Earthquake.