The Great Chicago Fire (Illinois) (Paperback)

by Robert Cromie (Author) "THEY CALLED it the Garden City, or the Queen City of the West, or the Gem of the Prairie..." (more)
Key Phrases: courthouse bell, third alarm, courthouse tower, Michigan Avenue, State Street, South Division (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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 Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Revised edition (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155853265X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558532656
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #856,329 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 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)

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.

2 of 2 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

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

By	Kevin M Quigg (Carol Stream, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.