The 1888 blizzard altered life in the northeastern United States as people dealt with problems provoked by the storm. Murphy's book reveals how people can behave kindly and generously during a disaster. The blizzard forced people into life-and-death situations in which they acted expeditiously and heroically to save people, animals, and property. Self-sacrifice and sharing were important as people invited strangers into homes, restaurants, and buildings for shelter, warmth, and food. Realtor P. M. Wilson offered free coal to poor New Yorkers. A Good Samaritan pulled May Morrow's cape over her freezing ears to prevent her losing them to frostbite. Humanitarian responses to the blizzard tended to predominate.

Unfortunately, the storm also revealed societal dilemmas and some people's propensity for greediness. The poor and many immigrants suffered during the blizzard because of the inferior housing they could afford with low wages. Some people charged exorbitant fees to...