A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyville's Engine 78 (IL) (Voices of America) (Paperback)

by Karen Kruse (Author) "History is best told by those who have lived it..." (more)
Key Phrases: Wrigley Field, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Landmark (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From its humble beginnings in 1884 as a one-story frame building with one bay to house Hose Company 4 and its team of horses, Engine Company 78 has been the firefighting sentinel at the end of Waveland Avenue, sitting in the shadow of Wrigley Field. Using vintage photographs and moving stories from firefighters themselves, Karen Kruse captures the spirit and heroism of this historic Chicago landmark. ÝÝCaptain Robert F. Kruse served the Chicago Fire Department for 30 years, half of those at Wrigleyvilleís Engine 78. Growing up within the tight-knit firefighting community, Ms. Kruse records the dramatic and touching stories from her fatherís and his peersí experiences, and combines them in this volume exploring the unique history of Lakeviewís firehouse, including a foreword by Mike Ditka and preface by Fire Commissioner James Joyce. With details about little known historic districts and a brief guide to Chicagoís cemeteries and their relations to firefighters, A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyvilleís Engine 78 relays in first-hand accounts some of Chicagoís most fiery tragedies, the brave men who battled them, and the diversity of the neighborhood that housed them.

About the Author
Author Karen Kruse, a descendant of three generations of Chicago firefighters, is a member of Mensa and the author of several articles on Chicago cemeteries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC) (April 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738518573
• ISBN-13: 978-0738518572
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #753,760 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars True American Heroes, September 28, 2001

By	Lane Bresticker "Irish Lane" (Elburn, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, all Americans developed an appreciation for true American heroes---fire fighters. Long before that day, Karen Kruse knew the character of fire fighters and what it takes to join their ranks. In her book "A Chicago Firehouse," she tells of the hearts and souls of all fire fighters. Yes, it's the tale of one firehouse, but that firehouse captures the spirit of firehouses across America and throughout our history. As Karen presents fire fighting, she defines familiar words and terms we thought we knew. The book is highlighted with dazzling photography from aged newspapers and Karen's own camera. Her unique perspective of growing up in a fire fighting family brings a loving touch to a moving story. Here's a tribute every fire fighter would love to own.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fireman's Daughter, July 7, 2001

By	Betty (Prospect Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews

I loved reading what to me was a love story from a proud daughter to her fireman father. The information that is packed into this small book knows no boundaries and Karen has made the stories come alive with her knowledge and her ability to put these words on paper. The reader is put in the midst of some of Chicago's worst fires through the use of pictures and words. To anyone who grew up in the Wrigleyville area, this book is priceless.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great piece of Chicago Fire Department history, April 28, 2004

By	Kevin O'Brien (So.Dartmouth, Ma USA) - See all my reviews

This was a well written book about a historic engine company of the Chicago Fire Department. The author's father was a member of that company during his career with the CFD. There are quite a few accounts of the fires and other incidents the firemen of Engine 78 responded to in that time frame. Not all the incidents are major but all were very interesting and detailed. Having read a large number of firematic books over the years , it compares very favorably to most if not all first efforts. Although Ms. Kruse was not a member of the fire service herself , she was able to convey the facts in a manner that both a novice and a veteran of fire departments could easily follow.