Bound To Stay Bound

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Booklist - 06/01/2015 *Starred Review* Most kids have never heard of Charles Mallory Hatfield, but this fascinating biography will help remedy that. Hatfield was a rainmaker, or, as he preferred, a rain “coaxer.” Using a top-secret mix of chemicals, Hatfield traveled the country at the turn of the last century, drawing rain from the skies with remarkable success. In 1915, he received a telegram from the San Diego city council. They needed a consistent source of water, but rainfall levels were only about 10 inches a year. Enter Hatfield, who was promised $10,000 if he could fill the Morena Reservoir. Most of the book is devoted to this particular job, a good news–bad news affair. The rains came and came, but flooding caused a fortune in damages. Because Hatfield was secretive, the book is more about events and results than the man and his methods—but with such noteworthy results, this works very well. The book’s design is a standout, with intriguing historical photos filling the pages and a typeface that makes this invitingly easy to read. The only disappointment is never learning whether Hatfield’s success came from secret formulas or serendipity, as the controversy rages on. Budding scientists may well take this as a challenge to find out more. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2015 Gr 8 Up—In the early 1900s, California sewing machine salesman Charles Mallory Hatfield claimed he had developed a "scientific" method for producing rain. Dramatic newspaper accounts publicized his successes. Brimner now tells the enigmatic Hatfield's story, placing it into the context of an era defined both by widespread belief that science would conquer all problems, even the weather, and flimflam men who exploited a credulous public for fame and fortune. He discusses Hatfield's lifelong obsession with rain and efforts to control it and his contentious relationships with weather service scientists. In 1915, the city of San Diego hired Hatfield to produce enough rain to fill its reservoirs. As he began blowing his chemicals into the atmosphere in early 1916, the entire region was hit with record rainfall that destroyed dams, flooded the city, and caused considerable loss of life. Hatfield spent years battling with San Diego officials about his payment. He never divulged his methods, and when 20th-century flood and water projects provided stable water supplies, he eventually faded into obscurity. Brimner allows readers to decide if Hatfield was a miracle worker or a fraud. This well-written and attractive book, with its many double-page period photos includes much detail and explores a figure who might otherwise be a regional footnote to 20th-century history. VERDICT A well-designed, impeccably researched work.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Public Schools, MO - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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