Discusses why the earth quakes, how earthquakes kill and destroy, and how to predict and prepare for earthquakes.

Explains the causes of one of the most destructive natural phenomenons, listing some disastrous floods and explaining protective measures which should be taken.

Discusses how tornadoes are formed, how they kill and destroy, and how to predict and prepare for them. Also describes some famous tornadoes, including the ones that struck Vernon and Wichita Falls, Texas, in April, 1979.

Discusses the worst of disasters, famine, focusing on that problem in several African countries in the 1980s and mentioning some major famines in history, such as China's in the 1870s, Ireland's of mid-nineteenth century, and Russia's of the 1920s.

Presents a historical, partly fictional, account of the Great Fire of London in 1666, describing the origins, fire fighting methods, effects on people, and rebuilding efforts. Contrasts London then and the city now in the areas of population, housing and world trade.

A ship officer's account of the Titanic's last hours.

An account of the attack and sinking of the passenger liner, the Lusitania, by the German torpedo during World War I.

Discusses the disastrous drought in the United States during the 1930s which made a "dust bowl" out of a part of the Great Plains, causing great hardship to farmers.

An account of the earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco, during which fires began which raged unchecked over the city, virtually destroying it.

Examines the Challenger disaster from a scientific and historic perspective and discusses its effect on the space shuttle program.