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When the surface cracks and seawater pours in, the world becomes a veritable hell. This is a tragedy that should never have happened, and a heartbreaking story that tears apart the delicate facade of Japanese society. Winner of the Forio Literary Award, "a future classic in disaster news writing" (reviewed by The Guardian) On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-Magnitude earthquake occurred in Japan, triggering a huge tsunami and a nuclear leak. It was the most severe disaster Japan has faced since World War II. When an earthquake occurs, schools are the safest places in Japan. They have solid teaching buildings, meticulous drills, accurate and timely warnings, and a complete disaster prevention system that gives people confidence in the school. But on March 11, almost all the teachers and students of Dachuan Elementary School were killed. The tragedy could have been avoided, but only because of trivial omissions, 84 teachers and students were buried under the huge waves, and the strict system and order became a monster that devoured lives. British journalist Parry spent six years following the investigation to restore the entire process of this heartbreaking disaster and unearthed the fatal flaw hidden under Japan's orderly appearance - the tsunami was not the problem, Japan itself was the problem. Once something unfortunate happens, the first reaction of some societies is to cover up the truth. For such societies, "Elementary School Under the Big Wave" is a thought-provoking lesson. You won't read a better nonfiction story this year than this one. --The Economist