Includes bibliographical references (pages 432-450) and index.

Covers over 200 events, including "earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, riots, assassinations, blizzards, terrorist attacks, military crises, election deadlocks, scandals, health scares, tornadoes, rebellions, invasions, economic collapses, environmental disasters, explosions, and others." Hurricanes, tornados, storms, and blizzards -- Earthquakes, floods, and forest fires -- Other natural disasters -- Environmental disasters -- Riots and terrorist attacks -- Social disasters and crises -- Sensational crimes -- Military disasters -- Fires -- Ship and maritime accidents -- Rail, automobile, and air accidents -- Bridge and dam collapses, explosions, and industrial accidents -- Epidemics and health crises -- Economic, business, and labor crises -- Rebellions, uprisings, and revolts -- Political crises -- Military crises -- Presidential election crises and assassinations -- Accidents and mysteries -- Agencies and emergency relief -- Appendix A : Disaster movies -- Appendix B : "Worst of" lists : the worst disasters, accidents, and crises in American history* (only events included in this book are listed).