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Press Release: July 7, 2004
Sam Penny's Novel, Memphis
7.9,
Endorsed by Dr. David Stewart
Marble Hill, Missouri -- Sam
Penny announced today that he has received an endorsement for
his novel, Memphis 7.9, from Dr. David Stewart, former Director
of the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and Center for Earthquake
Studies.
Dr. Stewart says, "Memphis
7.9 is a gripping novel you can’t put down. The characters,
who seem real, are fiction, but the account, which may seem like
fiction, is all too real."
He continues, "Based on
solid science and the projections of many seismologists, Sam
Penny has created the scenario of a major earthquake on the New
Madrid Fault and its impact on the Midwest and its people. Sam’s
earthquake will happen some day and it could be in your lifetime.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare for it than to
read and experience Sam’s excellent, well-written account.
It could save your life."
Penny says, "I am very pleased
and honored that Dr. Stewart has offered these words in support
of my work. His work from the 1980s and 1990s broke much new
ground to introduce the public to the dangers of a massive earthquake
along the New Madrid Fault."
David Stewart is the author of
"The Earthquake America Forgot,"
"Damages and Losses from Future New Madrid Earthquakes,"
and several other books on the New Madrid Fault.
Penny says, "It was his
report on anticipated damages on a county by county basis, published
for FEMA by SE Missouri State University, that inspired me to
begin the studies that have become The 7.9 Scenario.
"I spoke with Dr. Stewart
in May, and I asked why no one had published the summation of
what the nationwide impact would be of a great earthquake. He
said that he too was surprised that no one had carried the issue
forward. This lack of awareness and exposure is disturbing to
both of us."
Penny's 7.9 Scenario is a first-approximation
calculation that shows that the property, economic, and personal
damage that could result from a magnitude 7.9 earthquake on the
New Madrid could be as much as 80,000 killed, 350,000 injured,
6 million homeless, and 10% of the United States Gross Domestic
Product lost.
Dr. Stewart added, "I understand
Memphis 7.9 is part one of a series. I look forward to Sam’s
next book and intend to read it with interest. I also look forward
to the time when this story becomes a movie." |
