A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565 [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Don Massey (Author), Rick Davey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2001

A Matter of Degree is a true story and the definitive account of a renowned fire investigator and the nine-year mission of the heart that led to the discovery of arson and political conspiracy in the 1944 Ringling circus fire, an American tragedy equal in scope to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. LT. RICK DAVEY's internationally publicized re-investigation of the celebrated case resolved all of the mysteries swirling around the suspicious blaze that destroyed the Ringling circus and killed 168 people--including a beautiful but unknown 8-year-old girl who was known for 50 years as "Little Miss 1565."

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A MATTER OF DEGREE is now the subject of a major operatic theater piece entitled The History Lesson, which had its premiere at the CSUS Festival of New American Music in San Francisco. Composed by Howard Hersh, with a libretto by Francesca Hersh, the piece presents the facts surrounding the Hartford Circus Fire in a context intended to demonstrate the impact of human suffering and the redemptive power of forgiveness.

Howard Hersh is also the composer of Sketches from Life, Shrapnel in the Heart, and Earthly Prayers, a 52-minute piece that premiered on National Public Radio.

A MATTER OF DEGREE has been chosen as a finalist in ForeWord Magazine's BOOK OF THE YEAR Awards in the history category for 2001.

From the Author

I'm proud to have written what I believe is an important work about a little-known event in modern history. The Ringling circus fire of July 6, 1944 in Hartford was a devastating tragedy, but far too few American citizens--far too few people around the world--have been properly informed about a disaster of such emotional magnitude, a catastrophe that claimed 168 lives. Three times as many children died in Hartford in 1944 than died in Oklahoma City in 1995. There were no video cameras, satellites or cable news networks at that time. Had there been a way to transmit images of human sacrifice as they were captured, the impact of that sad summer afternoon would be indelibly imprinted on our nation's memory. In my own way, I have attempted to provide the facts that would bring the story of the Ringling circus fire to life, and I'm grateful to those who have shared the creative journey with me.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Willow Brook Pr; 1st edition (September 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930601247
• ISBN-13: 978-1930601246
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars REVISIONIST HISTORY OF THE WORST KIND, September 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565 (Hardcover)

This book is poorly written, yet the subject is fascinating. The love Rick Davey has for himself often brings the narrative to an abrupt halt. But the worst part is that Mr. Davey is so intent on finding a solution to the mystery of Little Miss 1565 and proving himself to be a wonderful investigator that he twists the facts to make them fit his theory. I didn't discover this until I read another book on the Hartford Fire. Mr. Davey pronounces the identity of the the mysterious little girl. What he doesn't mention is that dental records disprove his identification. This really is revisionist history of the worst kind because a family was caused to suffer to assauge Mr. Davey's ego. If you are interested in this story, I recommend reading The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan. It is better investigated, written and much more comprehensive. It also has the merits of being much more factual than this book.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, but..., March 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565 (Hardcover)

I hope no one was paid to EDIT this book (I can't believe anyone did.) Facts mentioned in passing in the first half, are "astonishing" when discovered by investigator Davey in the second half. And author Massey is WAY too attached to the word "ironically" (and he bats around .500 when it comes to applying it correctly.) But I'm glad I read it, as I've been interested in the story since seeing a reproduction of a newspaper front page showing Emmett Kelly helping to fight the fire.
I wonder if another book will someday deal with another "lost victim" who's mentioned briefly... the one supposedly carried into a hospital by his uncle... (I think I'll go get "The Circus Fire" for now.)

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Classic 15 minutes of fame, April 3, 2005

By 

BioReader (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565 (Hardcover)

for non writers who manipulate everything to suit their conceptions. the FACTS completely debunk this book. Thankfully, these men will fade; the true mysteries remain unanswered waiting, perhaps, for someone without personal gain to cull through, define and present. What a nasty book.