The Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Treachery, Tragedy, and Extraordinary Heroism 

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

The Great Halifax Explosion by John U. Bacon delivers a gripping, meticulously detailed account of one of history’s most devastating yet inspiring disasters—the largest manmade explosion before the atomic bomb.

On December 1, 1917, the munitions ship Mont-Blanc departed New York City carrying nearly three thousand tons of TNT and explosives. As it reached Halifax, a tragic chain of events led to a cataclysmic blast that vaporized the ship, leveled the city, and unleashed a massive tsunami. Yet, out of the destruction came astounding stories of survival, courage, and human kindness.

Discover:

• The fateful decisions that led to the explosion
• The resilience and heroism of ordinary people amid unimaginable loss
• How Boston’s rapid aid forged lasting U.S.-Canadian ties
• The explosion’s lasting impact on medicine, science, and global history

Hailed as “riveting” (National Post) and “gripping” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), The Great Halifax Explosion combines masterful storytelling with historical depth to capture both the horror and the hope that emerged from this world-changing event.