"Everything in Its Path" is a non-fiction book by Kai T. Erikson, first published in 1976. The book is an account of the devastating flood that hit the Buffalo Creek Valley in West Virginia in 1972, which killed 125 people and left over 4,000 homeless. Erikson examines the social and psychological impact of the disaster on the residents of the valley, many of whom lost their homes, their possessions, and their loved ones in the flood.
Through interviews with survivors, Erikson shows how the flood shattered the social fabric of the community, exposing deep-seated tensions and conflicts that had been simmering beneath the surface. He explores the ways in which the disaster affected people's sense of identity, their relationships with each other, and their ability to cope with the trauma of the experience.
"Everything in Its Path" is a powerful and moving work of sociology and journalism that offers a deeply humanistic perspective on the impact of natural disasters. Erikson's writing is clear and compassionate, and his account of the flood and its aftermath is both informative and emotionally resonant. The book remains a classic of disaster studies and a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.
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