This is Chance! by Jon Mooallem

If I had my life a little more together I should’ve read this book before my trip to Alaska in June but that obviously did not happen. So here I am reading it over a month later. I’ll try and remember that for future books but no promises. Hard to keep up with sometimes.

This is Chance is a true story of what happened in Anchorage, Alaska on Good Friday in the year 1964 when a 9.2 earthquake hit and completely turned this new city upside down. Just before sundown on Friday March 27, the city was shook with the largest earthquake ever recorded in American history of this time and still to this day. Where shock waves were felt all the way down to New Orleans, Louisiana and waves created were carried all the way down to the southern coast of Chile. In a time where phones weren’t very popular and radio was the main way of communication, there were people all across the state and country waiting to hear any news possible from this far away city.

Genie Chance was a part time radio reporter who was on her way home that Friday afternoon when the world shook. She drove to the station and became the voice that everyone needed during this time and helped bring the community and the country back together. Her three days of nonstop broadcast included sharing information from the police, national guard, politicians, etc as well as daily announcements about who was safe and who was still missing for those listening. Though she did not receive nearly as much credit and recognition, those who were there would always remember the voice of Genie Chance.

For an event that was so major in American History it is rarely discussed or talked about. Until I went to Alaska I had no idea it happened and even the author of the book acknowledged that even he, who was born a few years after the earthquake, knew little to none about this event until he started his research. And I was right about my comment about Anchorage looking like it was built when Alaska became a state. Just off by a few years. Most of what you see in Anchorage today was built right after the earthquake in 1964. That being said, unless you live in Alaska/Pacific Northwest or are really into American History then I think this book is ok to pass. However, if you do find yourself going to Anchorage or Alaska in general, I would recommend reading this book.

Until Next Time, The Library Abroad

Photo Credit: ‘This Is Chance!’ Review: Grover’s Corners, Alaska – WSJ