Death Rides the Sky: The Story of the 1925 Tri-State Tornado by Angela Mason is the most comprehensive account of the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Featuring survivor testimonies, this powerful book brings the tragedy to life, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Southern Illinois history.

Approaching the 100th Anniversary

On March 18, 1925, an F5 tornado ripped through Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Southwest Indiana, traveling 219 miles in just 3.5 hours. With winds exceeding 300 mph, it devastated entire communities. Southern Illinois suffered the most, with Murphysboro alone losing 234 lives, De Soto’s school lost 33 children, 15,000 homes were destroyed, 2,027 people were injured, and 695 lives were lost.

Get Your Copy Locally

Support local businesses while picking up your copy of Death Rides the Sky! Available at shops, historic sites, and bookstores across Southern Illinois:

• Anna – Annabelle Market
• Benton – The Buzz, County Seat Antique Mall, Franklin County Historic Jail Museum, Mach 1
• Carmi – Higginson Farm Mercantile
• Carbondale – Confluence Books
• Carterville – Cricket & Red Brick Antique Mall
• Charleston – Pensees Book Store
• Eldorado – Beck’s Drug and Home Health Care Products Inc
• Elizabethtown – E’town RiverPort Express (Sinclair), Riverside Mercantile, Rose Hotel
• Equality – Ohio River Byway Center
• Harrisburg – Book Emporium, Mitchellsville Country Store
• Herod – Harbison’s Country Market
• Johnston City – Pickers Outlet Mall
• Karbers Ridge – Garden of the Gods Outpost
• Makanda – Giant City Lodge, Makanda Trading Co.
• Marion – Mach 1 (both locations), Southern Illinois Mercantile Company (website only), Warehouse Antique Mall
• Mt. Carmel – Wabash County Museum
• Mt. Vernon – Finders Pickers Treasure Seekers, Mach 1
• Pocahontas – Pocahontas Mercantile
• Vienna – Vienna Town Square Mall
• Virden – The Sly Fox
• West Frankfort – Mach 1