Tsunami : Seven Hours that Shook the World

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. The \'angry\' sea. 2. The \'mountain of water\'. 3. Another killer wave. 4. The queen of the sea. 5. \'CNN full force\'. 6. \'Competitive compassion\'. 7. Baby 81. 8. The evil that men do. 9. The shrine. 10. \'The miracle\'.

"This is a story about two waves. The first, a killer wave; the second, a wave of compassion.

On 26 December 2004, a massive tsunami, triggered by the second most powerful earthquake in recorded history, struck twelve countries across Asia and Africa, leaving almost 220,000 dead, millions homeless, and an entire world shaken. Though it destroyed families, homes, livelihoods and dreams in a matter of minutes, what endure are the spirit of the survivors and the humanity of the world.

Drawing upon CNN\'s extensive coverage of this horrific calamity, and backed by a team of international correspondents, seasoned journalist Satinder Bindra recounts the incredible scenes of destruction he witnessed and brings alive the heartrending stories of those who lived to tell the tale: a small-time business contractor who lost nine members of his family; a forensic pathologist who worked tirelessly day and night to identify the dead; and Baby 81 who symbolized nee hope in the midst of wide-scale devastation. These stories, of real people, savaged by nature\'s fury, found a worldwide audience. The power of live TV instantly globalized grief, initiating the largest-ever relief operation launched in the world.

A compelling account of the tsunami and its terrible aftermath, this timely book shows how ordinary people cope with a disaster - the scale of which we cannot even begin to fathom - and in its inspiring portrayal of their resilience, helps to reaffirm faith in humankind, even as nature betrayed it." (jacket)