Advance Praise for And Hell Followed With It
“I’ve covered many a tornado over the years, but after reading these chapters, it’s the first time I’ve ever been in one. Great writing.”
Wes Lyle
Award-winning Missouri-Kansas photojournalist
Member, Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame
“Bonar Menninger has written a gripping yarn about a fateful day more than 40 years ago when thousands of Kansas residents going about their daily business were caught unaware by a freakish weather event. The narrative focuses on ordinary people caught up in the literal maelstrom of one of the most monstrous tornadoes ever to hit the continental United States, depicting the extraordinary confusion — and, in some instances, heroism — engendered by that singular event. Combining vivid character portraits with an impressive command of the science behind tornadoes, Menninger has penned a page-turner worthy of the best narrative nonfiction books produced in recent years.”
Dan Margolies
Former reporter, Reuters
“A beautifully written account of ordinary people under extraordinary duress. Menninger not only conjures the random chaos and violence of an EF-5 tornado, but also captures immensely human stories of endurance.”
Joan Dean, Ph.D.
Professor of English
University of Missouri-Kansas City
“So many of us that spent our careers in weather and severe storms are primarily focused on research, prediction and concerns about the next scientific or public safety challenge. As a result, we are perhaps not as aware as we could be of the tragedy and suffering these storms cause. This book takes that awareness to a whole different level for us. It is a powerful story that should be read by everyone involved in severe storm prediction and public safety. It also provides insight into the aftermath of these events and human beings’ remarkable determination to carry on.”
Phil Shideler
Retired Meteorologist-in-Charge
National Weather Service
Topeka, Kansas
“The 1966 Topeka tornado was a seminal event for tornado preparedness. The real-life narratives about the many people who survived this devastating storm reinforce the idea that there are things a person can do to increase the likelihood of survival, even when nature throws her most extreme storm at us.”
Joseph T. Schaefer, Ph.D., CCM
Retired Director, Storm Prediction Center
National Weather Service
Norman, Oklahoma