Out of the Night: A Story of Tragedy and Hope from a Survivor of the 1959 Montana-Yellowstone Earthquake

On the night of August 17, 1959, Irene Bennett Dunn was camped with her husband and four children on the banks of the Madison River near Yellowstone Park when an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude hit. The quake unsettled the mountainside above their camp with devastating results. A massive landslide swept over the campground, damming the Madison River and creating a new lake. Irene survived along with her 16-year-old son, Phil, but the rest of her family perished. The earthquake claimed 28 lives total.Out of the Night is about the tragedy that took four of her family members; moreover, it is about how she survived and managed to have the courage to rebuild her life. In this heartwrenching book, she describes her struggle to come to grips with the loss of her family. She talks about her decision to go to college and her determination to raise her son on her own. A recurring theme is the role faith played in coping. Her story is one of hope and encouragement, especially for anyone who has been through a disaster.