Book Talk: Thomas Dresser’s Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard

Local author Thomas Dresser will discuss his newly released book, Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free and open to the public.

“My new book, Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard chronicles the worst storms in recorded Vineyard history.  As we learn about major storms, we appreciate the good weather when it is here.   

I’m looking forward to sharing stories I’ve found in the history of Vineyard storms. The worst of the worst happened in 1635, before the first white man set foot on the Vineyard. I trace the chronology of storms through the years, taking note of the year without a summer, the devastating Portland gale, and August gales (before they were called hurricanes).    

In the more recent era, I spoke with a fellow who was in the 1938 Hurricane. I also have a letter recounting the devastation wrought in that storm and an amusing tale from Hurricane Edna in 1954.  Many Islanders shared their memories of Hurricane Bob in 1991. I welcome audience recollections as we discuss these cataclysmic storms.”