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Geoff Williams

@geoffwill.bsky.social
912 followers 1.9K following 138 posts

Ohio-based journalist and author of the books, "The Summer of Death," "Washed Away" and "C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race." Also have a neglected classic TV blog called "The TV Professor." (Bookshop.org link leading to my new book: tinyurl.com/uzd49hkc)

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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This weekend I visited William Henry Harrison's memorial and decided to turn it into a social media post. My book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH, @pegasus-books.bsky.social is about America's worst heat wave (in 1936), and has nothing to do with our ninth president, but what the heck. #BookSky #weatherhistory
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
So an author walks into a bar… and tries to create a social media post out of it. THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, is about America’s worst heat wave (in 1936), and, geez, I look a little sauced, don't I? But, honest, I had just imbibed a lot of Diet Coke. #BookSky #weatherhistory
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
If you haven’t read THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, please check out your local bookstore or local library. I’m hoping if everybody does, and if some of you share this post, I can create a little more awareness, and my book will sell like… well, you know. #BookSky #weatherhistory
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Lots of talk in the media about how 1936 is no longer the hottest summer, that 2026 is. True but also misleading. As the author of THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, I'd like to point out that there are still many 1936 unbroken heat records. But give it time. #BookSky #climatechange
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Over the weekend, an engine light alerted me that my car was getting hot. Naturally, I turned it into a social media post for my book, which is about America's worst heat wave. Sigh. I don't want to think of how many books I'll have to sell to pay for a mechanic. #BookSky #nonfiction #weatherhistory
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I went to The Book Loft of German Village in Columbus, Ohio, today, and the staff asked me to sign copies of THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. OK, it was one copy. That's all they had. But still, if you are in the area and want a signed copy... #BookSky #nonfiction #weatherhistory
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
A bridge in Chicago is currently stuck slightly upright, causing delays and backups for cars on the highway. I can't help but bring it up -- this happened a lot in the 1936 heat wave: the topic of my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social #BookSky #weatherhistory
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
It's still hot outside, and so it's fitting that The History Channel has a new story about the 1936 heat wave. I was interviewed for the article, and there's a big mention of my new book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/3sh6nusp #BookSky #nonfiction #weatherhistory
tinyurl.com
The Deadly 1936 Heat Wave Helped Popularize Shorts in the US | HISTORY
During the 1936 North American heat wave, extreme heat plagued the United States and Canada. Thousands of people died...
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Thanks, Lorna (@authorlsuzuki.bsky.social) for the repost!
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
When one of your pals is David Cain, world-renowned juggler, and he's at your book signing for THE SUMMER OF DEATH, about America's worst heat wave in 1936 @pegasus-books.bsky.social at Blue Dog Books in Springboro, OH, you are naturally going to ask him to show off his talents. #BookSky #nonfiction
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Didn't know it was up until just now, but I had a great time talking about the 1936 heat wave and my new book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social on the "History Unplugged" podcast: tinyurl.com/y33nc7e9 #BookSky #nonfiction #climatechange #weatherhistory
tinyurl.com
Summer of Death: America’s Heat Wave of 1936 That Killed 12,000
Podcast Episode · History Unplugged Podcast · August 20 · 45m
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Yes, I know I should clean out my bird feeder more often... but, um, well, this is what may happen if you don't... #nature #birds
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Lately, especially in the south and western states, it's been as hot as the inside of a... well, you know. But if you really want to experience a broiling summer, crack open my book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, a nonfiction narrative about the 1936 heat wave. #BookSky #nonfiction
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Figured I'd take a break from all of the posts about my new book and put up this photo of tall ironweed, a plant growing in my backyard right now (in Ohio). It's a native, a perennial, and monarch butterflies and swallowtail butterflies like it. #nature #butterfliles
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Why is my book wearing a backwards baseball cap? Because it's trying to look... cool. See, it's a book about a heat wave, and I thought it would be funny if, uh... well, never mind. @pegasus-books.bsky.social #BookSky #nonfiction
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
CBS Sunday Morning (@cbssundaymorning.bsky.social) just posted an updated article written by Mo Rocca about the history of shorts, which mentions my new book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, so naturally I'm going to share that :) tinyurl.com/y34e8tc8 #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
tinyurl.com
Short pants: The long and the short of it
The summer of 1936 saw a heat wave so dangerous at least five thousand people died. It also saw the popularization of a cooler fashion alternative – shorts – which, in some jurisdictions, were illegal...
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
CBS Morning News ran a segment about the history of short pants, and we talked about my book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. I don't know if book sales are up, but brands are offering to pay me not to wear their shorts on national TV: tinyurl.com/56k2utzr #BookSky #nonfiction
cbsnews.com
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
So I had the thrill of being interviewed on @cbssundaymorning.bsky.social, dicussing the history of shorts (as in pants) and my book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social got a nice shoutout. Here's the link if you're curious: www.cbsnews.com/video/short-... #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
cbsnews.com
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
So I had the thrill of being interviewed on @cbssundaymorning.bsky.social, dicussing the history of shorts (as in pants,) and my book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social gets a nice shoutout. Here's the link if you're curious: www.cbsnews.com/video/short-... #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
cbsnews.com
Short pants: The long and the short of it
The summer of 1936 saw a heat wave so dangerous at least five thousand people died. It also saw the popularization of a cooler fashion alternative: shorts. Correspondent Mo Rocca looks at the long his...
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
@stevosnovelideas.bsky.social Thanks for the repost!
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
CBS SUNDAY MORNING @cbssundaymorning.bsky.social posted an excerpt from my book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social today! Here's the link: tinyurl.com/ydm2zrv2 I'll be talking to Mo Rocca about how the 1936 heat wave affected fashion this Sunday. #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
tinyurl.com
Book excerpt: Modesty on the line in "The Summer of Death"
Geoff Williams' account of the deadly heat wave of 1936 includes one Kentucky city's efforts to arrest young women whose warm-weather attire was considered too revealing.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
So why the photo of my shorts and my book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social? I'm going to be on CBS SUNDAY MORNING @cbsmornings.bsky.social talking with Mo Rocca about the history of shorts! (My book is about the 1936 heat wave, but -- well, you'll just have to tune in...) #BookSky
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Wow, this was nice to see... Thanks for the shout-out, @angldst13thsin.bsky.social!
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Over the weekend, the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library (in Kansas, which was clobbered by the 1936 heat wave) recommended THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social For anyone who wants to check out the mini-review: tinyurl.com/4yfens6s
tinyurl.com
Lost in the Stacks: The Summer of Death
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Earlier, I mentioned that I'm featured on "Blue Dot" a show from North State Public Radio in Chico, CA, an @npr.org station. We discussed my new book. Well, I wish I had mentioned the great timing: in Chico, it's been 100+ degrees this week! tinyurl.com/3ujyjrmm #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
tinyurl.com
Blue Dot: The great heat wave of 1936 with author Geoff Williams
Host Dave Schlom is joined by Geoff Williams, author of the new book, The Summer of Death: The Great Heat Wave of 1936 and the Making of Modern America.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Thank you (!!!) to "Blue Dot" a show produced by North State Public Radio in California, an @npr.org member station. They had me on to discuss my book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social and the 1936 heat wave! tinyurl.com/3ujyjrmm #BookSky #nonfiction #history #climatechange
tinyurl.com
Blue Dot: The great heat wave of 1936 with author Geoff Williams
Host Dave Schlom is joined by Geoff Williams, author of the new book, The Summer of Death: The Great Heat Wave of 1936 and the Making of Modern America.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
"The Saturday Evening Post" mentioned my book! A mini-review and a really nice one, too! That would be THE SUMMER OF DEATH (@pegasus-books.bsky.social), a nonfiction narrative about America's worst heat wave (in 1936). tinyurl.com/ye27bkaj #BookSky #nonfiction #climatechange
tinyurl.com
News of the Week: New Books, Summer School, and the People Addicted to Coffee Yogurt | The Saturday Evening Post
In the news for the week ending August 7, 2026, are new book recommendations, a new school year, robot teachers, zucchini recipes, and more.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Today, @theassociatedpress.bsky.social released a poll in which 90% of Americans say extreme heat has impacted them: tinyurl.com/3x5zcymb And that gives me an opening to plug my nonfiction book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. It's about America's worst heat wave, in 1936. #BookSky
apnews.com
How extreme heat is changing Americans' lives, according to a new AP-NORC poll
A new AP-NORC poll finds that Americans are increasingly noticing the impact of extreme heat on their lives, and they say much of that shift is happening in the West and Midwest.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Sharing a photo of (I think) a cup plant, in my backyard. It's more pleasant to look at than the dead raccoon, about 20 yards away. Second animal in a few months to die in my backyard (a groundhog was the first). Unsure what -- a hawk? an owl? -- is terrorizing my subdivision's wildlife. #nature
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
So why is my book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH (Pegasus Books), surrounded by corn? It's a reminder that there is also an audio book about America’s deadliest heat wave! And… well, ears of corn… and we listen to audio books with our, you know. (Yeah... sigh... this a corny post.) #BookSky
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Reposted by Geoff Williams
danothygrimm.bsky.social @danothygrimm.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Geoff Williams talks about his new book: The Summer of Death - The Great heat Wave of 1936 and The Making of Modern Day America. Join us "Behind the Curtain" and be eligible to win a copy. www.patreon.com/DanothyGrimm...
patreon.com
Behind the Curtain 31 - Geoff Williams | Danothy Grimm - Writers Block Party
Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist and the author of ten nonfiction books. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, includ
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
During the 1936 heat wave, which is the topic of my new book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, there were a LOT of tire blowouts. Heat increases the pressure inside tires. So be careful out there, especially if where you live is being hammered by the heat. #BookSky #nonfiction
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
During the 1936 heat wave, the topic of my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH (Pegasus Books), there were many dry creek and river beds, and fish were dying, just as they have been lately in Minnesota, and… well, yeah, that's a photo of my book on my bed. I don't have much of a marketing budget. #BookSky
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
If you've seen my BlueSky posts, you may have seen me post about the groundhog that lived underneath my back patio. Well, it inspired an article that I wrote for USA TODAY. The article ran June 30, but I just discovered today that it ran: tinyurl.com/59bxszf2 #groundhogs #nature
tinyurl.com
Groundhogs are invading my yard. Now what?
For some homeowners, every day is Groundhog Day. Here's what to do if you have a woodchuck resident, according to wildlife experts.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Oh, I see that AOL ran a "Kansas City Star" article that was written about my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social -- just highlighting for anyone who wants to check it out: tinyurl.com/muw76jjm #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
tinyurl.com
Think Kansas City is hot now? 1936 ‘Summer of Death’ was even worse — by far - AOL
A new book details that year’s heat wave and its horrific effects here and nationwide.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
If you can’t find a copy of THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social, maybe it’s hiding in your refrigerator. Get it? Because my nonfiction book is about a killer 1936 heat wave, and the inside of a refrigerator is… um, cold… (OK, I'm still workshopping this post) #BookSky #nonfiction #weather
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I was interviewed recently by @mprnews.org about the 1936 heat wave, and got a great shoutout to my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. They also interviewed a 99-year-old survivor of the heat wave. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0... #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
mprnews.org
Learning from deadliest disaster in Minnesota history
All week, Minnesotans have been sweating through one of the worst heat waves in recent memory. But what the state is experiencing doesn’t compare to the deadliest weather event in state history.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Trump is always saying that we’re “the hottest country in the world." During the 1936 heat wave, the topic of my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH (Pegasus Books), we actually WERE the hottest country in the world (weeks of 100+ temps). Of course, if nothing is done about the climate crisis... #BookSky
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
@wgntv.com ran a story yesterday about the 1936 heat wave and my book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. The reporter @mikelowereports.bsky.social who interviewed me did a phenomenal job in putting this together. #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave tinyurl.com/5aprnx55
tinyurl.com
Author recalls deadly 1936 heat wave in new book amid Chicago’s current swelter
Chicago is in the middle of its second heat wave in the last three weeks, but if you think it's been hot so far this summer, it doesn't compare to the conditions Chicago faced exactly 90 years ago dur...
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Reuters' climate change newsletter, SUSTAINABLE SWITCH, mentioned THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social today! (The book is about the 1936 heat wave.) The reporter who writes SS said, "It's worth a read for the lessons it offers from the past." #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave #climatechange
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I am honored that I was a guest on the Morbidly Curious Book Club Podcast, talking about my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. They've interviewed some amazing authors! (also, me). You can listen to it here: tinyurl.com/4jjuw7bm #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
tinyurl.com
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
If anybody is near a TV in about an hour, at 10:40 a.m., EST, July 14, I'm scheduled to be interviewed on The Weather Channel -- about the 1936 heat wave. My new book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social is about said heat wave. #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Just found a book review from the Shepherd Express, Milwaukee's alternative news source, calling THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social "a vital beach-read for our times." #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave #climatechange shepherdexpress.com/culture/book...
shepherdexpress.com
The Summer of Death: The Great Heat Wave of 1936 and the Making of Modern Day America, by Geoff Williams
The Summer of Death chronicles the freakish meteorological events of 1936 but couldn’t feel timelier in light of this summer’s heatwave.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
THE KANSAS CITY STAR wrote a terrific (front page!) article today about the 1936 heat wave and THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social. (Behind a paywall but reporters need to eat, too...) #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave #climatechange www.kansascity.com/entertainmen...
kansascity.com
Think Kansas City is hot now? 1936 ‘Summer of Death’ was even worse — by far
A new book details that year’s heat wave and its horrific effects here and nationwide.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Day #4 of trying to fry an egg on the sidewalk, or Part 4 of Running a Slightly Amusing Gag into the Ground. My brother suggested my mistake yesterday in trying to fry an egg on a skillet on the sidewalk was that my skillet was too light. I needed to use a black one. Alas... #BookSky #heatwave
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
A couple days ago in Cincinnati, I was interviewed about the 1936 heat wave and my new book, THE SUMMER OF DEATH (Pegasus Books). Hmmm. I wonder if meteorologists would be upset if I dropped in unannounced on their newscast, with book in hand? What if I also brought doughnuts? #BookSky #heatwave
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
One of the neighborhood deer visited my front yard yesterday evening, to dine out. If I could charge deer for eating at Chez Williams, I would make a fortune and wouldn't have to bombard the world with my gratituous book marketing posts. #BookSky #nature #deer
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Day #3 of failing to fry an egg on the sidewalk (in a shameless attempt to get attention to my book). This time, I brought out my banged up skillet. It still didn’t work. Tomorrow, it’ll be a cooler, but on the next super hot day, I think I may bring out my oven... #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
If I'm asleep, don't wake me up! My article, on the same topic as my book THE SUMMER OF DEATH @pegasus-books.bsky.social , is out today in "National Geographic." #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
nationalgeographic.com
The heat wave that made America legalize shorts
Forced to sweat and suffer under the weight of clothes and societal norms, a broiling summer that killed thousands of Americans finally got us to consider the wonders of shorts and t-shirts.
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Geoff Williams @geoffwill.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Day #2 of attempting to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Once again, it didn't go well (I'm glad the price of eggs came down). I even had some bread ready, for my sandwich. Dang. The high is 95 degrees in this part of Ohio. Well, maybe I'll try again tomorrow. #BookSky #nonfiction #heatwave
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