William Elliott Hazelgrove to Chronicle Camp Mystic Flood Disaster in New Bloomsbury Book

Award-winning author and historian William Elliott Hazelgrove has signed a publishing agreement with Bloomsbury Publishing for a major nonfiction work chronicling the devastating Camp Mystic flood, one of the most shocking and little-understood natural disasters in American history. The forthcoming book will tell the dramatic true story of the catastrophic flood that struck the beloved Camp Mystic in Texas, sweeping through a summer retreat and forever altering the lives of campers, families, and the surrounding Hill Country community.

Drawing from survivor accounts, archival research, government records, and new reporting, Hazelgrove will explore the human toll, the extraordinary acts of courage, the role of nature's fury, and how the disaster continues to echo through time. The author described the event as a once-in-a-century occurrence that unfolded in moments yet left generations changed, emphasizing that his work will bring to light the voices, heroism, heartbreak, and lessons that history nearly forgot.

Hazelgrove brings significant credentials to this project as the author of more than twenty books, including acclaimed works of narrative nonfiction such as Evil on the Roof of the World, Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America, and Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson. His extensive research experience and narrative skill position him uniquely to handle this complex historical subject with the sensitivity and depth it requires.

The publication of this book carries significant implications for historical understanding and disaster preparedness. By documenting the Camp Mystic flood through comprehensive research and personal accounts, the work will contribute to the historical record of American natural disasters and provide valuable insights into community resilience and emergency response. The timing of this publication coincides with increasing concerns about climate-related disasters and their impact on recreational facilities and summer camps nationwide.

For readers and historians, this book promises to fill a crucial gap in the understanding of American disaster history. The Camp Mystic flood represents not just a historical event but a case study in how communities respond to sudden tragedy and rebuild in its aftermath. The scheduled 2027 publication by Bloomsbury ensures that this important story will reach a wide audience through one of the world's most respected publishing houses.

Hazelgrove's previous work has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, NPR, CBS, and PBS, indicating the potential reach and impact of this new project. His website at https://www.williamhazelgrove.com provides additional information about his literary career and previous publications. The Camp Mystic book joins his other forthcoming titles, Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America and Hemingway's Attic: Hell and Glory in Cuba and the Writing of The Old Man and the Sea, continuing his focus on significant historical events and figures.