Damned to Eternity: The Story of the Man Who They Said Caused the Flood | 
 enlarge | Author: Adam Pitluk
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $7.44
You Save: $17.51 (70%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 115577
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 328
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 0306815273
Dewey Decimal Number: 364
EAN: 9780306815270
ASIN: 0306815273
Publication Date: December 17, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
James Scott was twenty-four years old when he was first convicted in 1994-and then again in 1998-of intentionally causing a catastrophe. His alleged crime was causing a levee to break, which flooded over 14,000 acres of farmland during the Great Midwestern Floods of ’93. Though no one died, he was the first and only person in Missouri history convicted under this obscure 1979 law and is now serving a life sentence. He won’t be eligible for his first parole hearing until 2023, when he will be fifty-five years old. In Damned to Eternity, Adam Pitluk contends that James Scott was a victim of a federal agency, a town, and law enforcement hell-bent on blaming him for something he maintains he didn’t do.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
Where was the evidence? July 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The story of the arrest, trial and imprisonment of James Scott for "intentionally causing a catastrophe" is a large, black mark on the American justice system. Adam Pitluk, in his recent work, "Damned to Eternity", has masterfully woven a story that reviews the many aspects of Scott's life... one that could only be described as misfortunate from the time he was a child growing up in Quincy, Illinois. The author makes no excuses for the lawlessness and harm that Scott caused, but the focus of this book, the great midwestern flood of 1993, is told in a riveting fashion by Pitluk, and given new facts that arose at the time of his second trial, it's a wonder that Scott remains is jail.
Pitluk has a terrific narrative style, which makes the book hard to put down for even a minute. He's a natural storyteller in the best possible sense and if one hadn't had much empathy for young Scott in the beginning, one can only come away with a new feeling as the years progress. Injustice is all around us, but it takes a good writer like Adam Pitluk to expose it. I highly recommend "Damned to Eternity".
Eye-opening and revealing May 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
DAMNED TO ETERNITY: THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO THEY SAID CAUSED THE FLOOD tells of a young volunteer twenty-four-year-old who tried to help protect a small town's levee during flooding - and was charged with causing the break intentionally when it failed. His conviction resulted in farmers collecting from insurance when otherwise they wouldn't - and resulted in a life sentence despite the fact no one died during the flood. His story is eye-opening and revealing - and he proclaims his innocence to this day.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
AWESOME BOOK January 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I LIVE IN QUINCY, IL WHERE THIS BOOK IS BASED. IT BROUGHT BACK SO MANY MEMORIES. IT IS VERY WELL WRITTEN AND EXPLAINS THE EVENTS IN GRAPHIC DETAIL. IT MADE ME WANT TO CRY AGAIN WHEN I RECALLED THE HORRIBLE REALITY OF THOSE EVENTS. THUMBS UP!!!!!
A Great Book! You determine if he is guilty or not guilty January 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I live in Quincy Illinois, which is directly across the river from West Quincy.I was 13 back in 1993. I put many hours into filling sandbags that summer. Even through I wasn't directly affected by the flood, it hit home when the levee broke that night. The great fight to hold back the flood waters was defeated in a matter of moments.
This book mainly describes James trouble childhood, and continues into his ever troublesome life. Its a must read if you were affected by the Great Flood of 1993.
It also goes into great detail about the ever so infamous Webster School Fire. I'm firefighter and paramedic now. I have heard many stories and tales regarding the Webster School Fire. I've seen pictures from that day.
An awesome book that lets the reader decide whether he is guilty or not guilty!
Unbelievable story - a great read! January 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Pitluk is an amazing story-teller who offers incredible insight about a life changing event that ripped apart a small town. I had a hard time putting this book down! It is remarkable how much research this book must have taken, and the amount of detail that is covered -- yet it feels like a quick read that is easy to follow and digest. I found myself truly sympathizing with Scott, while at the same time, I kept wishing he would have done a few things differently to change his own fate. Pitluk brought to life a storm that will forever impact the people who lived through it. Thanks for sharing the story!
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