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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: $2.95
You Save: $22.00 (88%)
New (36) Used (16) Collectible (1) from $2.58
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 329478
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
Condition: New.
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| Editorial Reviews:
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 4 more reviews...
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!
Truly Appalling Tale of True Crime and Presumed Guilt January 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Before I read this book, I had no idea that the Great Flood of '93 was attributed entirely to the doings of one single man. Having grown up in Missouri, I grew accustomed to hearing about various floods, but it had not occurred to me that there was such an amazing story behind this particular flood.
The law against "Causing a Catastrophe" is alive and well in Missouri, and a Class A felony.
Missouri Revised Statutes 569.070.
1. A person commits the crime of causing catastrophe if he knowingly causes a catastrophe by explosion, fire, flood, collapse of a building, release of poison, radioactive material, bacteria, virus or other dangerous and difficult to confine force or substance.
The problem with Mr. Scott's trial was just how was the prosecution able to know that Jimmy "knowingly" caused a catastrophe? This book gives you the opportunity to be the judge.
"Damned to Eternity" could have been written to tell the story from a non-personal viewpoint and still have been a good non-fiction book. What sets this book so much apart from its non-fiction counterparts is the way it brings you to the events that happened. You literally get into the mind of Jimmy Scott and learn about the things that caused law enforcement to go out and practically hang this guy before even being benefited the "luxury" of a trial. Mr. Scott's trial afforded him no "luxuries", however. Had this trial and flood occurred today, no doubt it would have been all over Court T.V. Had the public been more informed about this trial, perhaps the outcome would have been different as well. Pitluk's work certainly brings that question to light.
This book reminded me of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" because of the intense relationship you develop with Jimmy Scott as you read. Having a legal background, I am appalled at the events surrounding the trial and the course of events that took place in convicting and sentencing Mr. Scott. The way the prosecution established Mr. Scott's "intent" and motive is unbelievable.
Pitluk's research, investigating, and writing are guilty of "Intentionally Causing the Writing of a Good Book". A+++++!
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