The Great Chicago Fire [Hardcover]

Robert Cromie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1993

Now in paperback, The Great Chicago Fire presents a complete narrative history of the 1871 fire that destroyed 73,000 miles of streets and 17,500 buildings, and which left 100,000 people homeless. More than 150 photographs and illustrations help tell the inspiring story of a heroic American city.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 223 pages
• Publisher: Rutledge Hill Pr (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558532641
• ISBN-13: 978-1558532649
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,807,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells the Full Story of the Fire, December 25, 2002

By 

Severin Olson (Hyattsville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good re-telling of the Chicago disaster, March 4, 2005

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:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Garden City burns down., December 17, 2005

By 

Kevin M Quigg (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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 of Chicago, it was with interest when I read the streets where the fire occurred. The book also has some nice photographs and illustrations.