The Great Chicago Fire and the Myth of Mrs. O'Leary's Cow

by Richard F. Bales (Author)

9 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0786414246

ISBN-10: 0786414243

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Uses rare land tract records and handwritten pages of transcript from the 1871 investigation, a detailed study focuses on the cause of the fire and the inquiry investigation by Chicago's Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ McFarland Publishing (October 9, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786414243
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786414246
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.74 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.75 x 10.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,641,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13,387 in United States History (Books)
- #16,405 in U.S. Civil War History
- #93,777 in U.S. State & Local History

Customer Reviews:
9 ratings

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2 star		8%
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DJ McEdwards

Myth-Buster!

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

The research seems thorough and the insights sensible. One wonders why these weren't advanced decades ago. It hurts to think Chicago politicians and newspaper people were corrupt even back in 1871-1873, but it becomes apparent. Kudos to the Chicago Historical Museum for its hand in getting this book published. Spoilers? Nope, but you'll be absorbed by the details. It's dry reading, but fascinating if you're anywhere near being interested in Chicago history.

5 people found this helpful

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Kathryn Page Camp

Good Research, Speculative Conclusions

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2016

Verified Purchase

This is a good summary of the myths surrounding the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and Mr. Bales has clearly done his research and given his conclusions a lot of thought. Although his conclusions may be true, however, they are still speculative. For someone looking for an in-depth discussion of the fire, "The Great Chicago Fire" by Robert Cromie is a better choice.

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BryanA

Excellent and informative

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Amazing book! Details, details, details...the author did a wonderful job researching for this book.

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William

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2014

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Important book on the mysteries surrounding the fire

2 people found this helpful

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completeviewCasey

Explodes myth

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2009

Verified Purchase

Finally an accurate narrative of what actually happened to cause the The Great
Chicago Fire. Its nice to see Mrs O'Leary vindicated from the false charges
that have hung over her all these years and the Cow too.

3 people found this helpful

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Just Me

One of the worst books I have ever read!

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2017

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This is truly one of the WORST books I have ever read. Completely uninteresting style of writing. I am so bored I just can't continue to read it even though honestly I'd love to find out who this author is claiming was responsible for the Great Chicago Fire. But, I will never know because I can't stand the boredom. Don't waste a single cent on this book.

2 people found this helpful

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kpp016

DID THE COW DO IT?

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2002

Verified Purchase

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE BARN LOCATED ON THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 137 DE KOVEN STREET IN CHICAGO ON THE EVENING OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1871? DID A POSSIBLY INTOXICATED IRISH WOMAN WITH THE COMPLICITY OF HER BOVINE CONFEDERATE START THE MOST DEVASTATING URBAN FIRE IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES? OR, DID SOME OTHER PERSON(S) GET AWAY WITH STARTING THE BLAZE AND LEAVE THE BLAME ON AN INNOCENT HARD WORKING IMMIGRANT WHO EMBODIES "THE CITY OF BIG SHOULDERS"? IF YOU LIKE REAL LIFE MYSTERIES, INVOLVING LIFE AND DEATH DRAMA, TALES OF HEROISM COMBINED WITH INCOMPETENT PUBLIC OFFICIALS CONDUCTING SHAM INVESTIGATIONS DESIGNED SOLELY TO COVER THEIR VERY EXPOSED BACKSIDES, YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK. WRITTEN IN A VERY READABLE STYLE, FILLED WITH GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS AND UNIQUE DIAGRAMS, THIS BOOK IS PERFECT FOR ANYONE FROM SCHOLAR TO CASUAL OBSERVER OF THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE AND ITS ORIGINS. ALTHOUGH THE WHO AND THE HOW OF THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRE ARE NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS THE EFFECT OF THE FIRE, AND THE RE-BUILDING WHICH FOLLOWED IT, THE STORY TOLD IN THIS BOOK FILLS A MUCH NEEDED GAP IN THE HISTORY OF THE FIRE, AND THE GROWTH OF CHICAGO POST 1871. THE BOOK IS FULLY ANNOTATED, SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO READ FURTHER ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THE FIRE AND ITS IMPACT, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT STARTING POINT. MR. BALES HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF GIVING US HIS TAKE ON THE MYSTERY OF THE START OF THE FIRE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING THE READER ALL THE EVIDENCE UPON WHICH TO FORM THEIR OWN OPINION. AS FASCINATING AS THE STORY OF THE GOINGS ON IN THE O'LEARY BARN ARE, THE PLAYING OUT OF THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION IS VERY INCITEFUL ON HOW THE SCRAMBLE TO AVOID BLAME LEFT MRS. O'LEARY AND THE "SCAPE COW" BEING THE MOST INFAMOUS CITIZENS OF CHICAGO AFTER AL CAPONE. ITS A GREAT READ BOUND UP IN A HANDSOME VOLUME, WELL WORTH THE PRICE.

9 people found this helpful

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Jon Zaley

FASCINATING!

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2004

Dick Bales has covered every possible base in getting to the bottom of The Great Chicago Fire. With this event happening 130+ years ago, most people don't realize the devastation that this fire caused. The illustrations, photos and other research documents bring it into perspective on what may have really happened. I am sure many have been taught in school the myth of Mrs. O'Leary and her cow, but this book blows that idea out of the water! This should become required reading in every school so the truth may finally be revealed. A++++++

10 people found this helpful

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