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List Price : $18.95 Price :
Product Description
One of the best narrative histories ever written about the devastating fire has been reprinted in this oversized, illustrated edition. Over 150 photos and illustrations.
Product Description
One of the best narrative histories ever written about the devastating fire has been reprinted in this oversized, illustrated edition. Over 150 photos and illustrations.
The Great Chicago Fire (Illinois) Reviews
The Great Chicago Fire (Illinois) Reviews
| 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful  Tells the Full Story of the Fire, By This review is from: The Great Chicago Fire (Illinois) (Paperback) One interesting fact about the fire is that it was both the first and last of its kind of disaster. It was one of the first great calamities of the modern industrial age and yet Chicago was one of the last cities to burn down naturally without help from earthquakes or bombing. Although the catastrophe has been described countless times in many books and articles, few get beyond a basic account, saying merely that Chicago caught fire and burned in October of 1871. Cromie covers the entire fire from the first flames to the relief effort that began a few days later. He tells the story of Chicagoens both rich and poor who were caught up in the fast moving drama. The book is well illustrated and will appeal to most anyone, whether they have a serious interest in the subject or just want to see some good pictures and read the captions. In some ways this book is to the Great Chicago fire what 'A Night to Remember' is to the Titanic'. I doubt anyone will be dissapointed with it. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful  A good re-telling of the Chicago disaster, By Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Great Chicago Fire (Illinois) (Paperback) Cromie's book is a detailed account of the 1871 fire that destroyed much of Chicago (an even more devastating fire in terms of lives lost occurred on the very same day a few hundred miles north around Peshtigo, Wisconsin). He gives basically three reasons for the devastation: 1) the night before there was a major fire in the city that destroyed much property, knocked out fire-fighting equipment, and exhausted firefighters; 2) a relentless SW wind fanned the flames; and 3) Chicago was a city made of wood. Cromie relates quite a bit of the heroism that was displayed during the tragedy--also lots of bad behavior as well. A good historical account. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful The Garden City burns down., By This review is from: The Great Chicago Fire (Illinois) (Paperback) A nicely written book about the great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. This book has some nice illustrations and photographs, along with some human interest stories concerning the fire. The story is compelling in how it relates the burning of this city. Only 200-300 people died as a result of this disaster. The author relates how the fire occurred in Mrs. O'Leary's barn. With some early mistakes with personnel in the fire detection system, a small fire became large because of the tardy arrival of firefighters and the brisk wind. Since the city was mostly wood, the fire blew embers over the firefighters and lighted neighborhoods beyond the fire. The firefighters had fought a fierce fire the night before, and most were very tired as they started to fight this fire. The result was a burned area one mile wide by four miles deep. Most of the business district was burned out.This is a nice read for those with only a vague notion of the fire. Since I live in the suburbs... Read more |
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