161 people dead in Joplin in the worst tornado in the United States in six decadesMoments after the high school graduation, an EF5 tornado ripped through the heart of this city of 50,000 destroying the high school, homes and businesses and changing Joplin forever.Gripped in fear- Joplin residents offer first-person accounts of how they survived the natural disaster and mourn for those who did not.Rising from the rubble- First person accounts from Joplin residents and reporting from authors Randy Turner and John Hacker, tell the remarkable story of how Joplin fought back through the first year after the tornado with a volunteer spirit and courage that captured the heart of the nation.Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado tells the story of the people of Joplin and the people from across the nation and the world who helped with the recovery process.Spirit of Hope brings you to tears and then lifts your spirit as you join the people of Joplin on their journey back from disaster.