The Great Fire

Author Jim Murphy opens his story with the fire that began Sunday night in a barn adjacent to where the O’Leary family lived. He dispenses with the build up common in many disaster stories. Likewise, he doesn’t interrupt the power of the fire by toggling between timeframes and events - there’s little before and after framing. His straight-forward narration mirrors the fire’s fury: relentless, unstoppable and fueled by its own momentum. Murphy allows the fire to burn through this book just like it burned through the city of Chicago.I love Murphy’s abundant use of maps (there are six double-page maps that demonstrate the fire’s aggressive progression) and historical images (lots of drawings and photos) to create an indelible sense of place for readers. We are almost 150 years removed from this disaster, yet his pacing, documentation and eye for detail (the brass speaking trumpets fire fighters “used to make their voices carry over the roar of the fire”) put you right in the scene.This small fire was fueled by materials (hay, coal, timber), weather conditions (a hot, dry season and a prairie-fueled wind), overworked and undermanned firefighting crews and general mayhem (no established evacuation or sheltering plan). The growing panic and chaos are palatable on every single page. Sadly, many of the same factors were present in the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The past comes alive in the present.A gripping read for all ages – in both senses of the phrase.

My husband and I loved this book! We bought it for our 12 year old grandson who has begun showing an interest in history. We both previewed it and learned so much. Accessible reading! Well told! Great condition!

I liked all the history of the great fire of Chicago.I didn’t know a thing about it.I recommend this book because it is easy to read and you can learn a lot about this issue.I gave 5 stars because the book was very interesting.

The only down side to this book is, for me, the horrible narration. The reader seemed to feel the need to be overly dramatic. Extremely annoying.

This was a great book came in good condition, we needed to read for summer reading definitely enjoyed the history and so many unfortunate circumstances came because of this fire in 1871! Great read!

Although this book is one of the choices for in coming sixth graders, I think it could be read and enjoyed by all.

Great book for young school aged children. Easy to read and book captured the story of this tradegy in just enough detail without being to long. Kept the attention of my 12 year old.

Amazing book with details left and right. I like how it has people who were in the Fire and survived words in it

Non male. Un po' confusionario nell'intreccio delle testimonianze di chi ha vissuto l'incendio di Chicago del 1871. Un evento di storia Americana che ci rende meno ignoranti e che percio' non dispiace conoscere. L'ho acquistato per mia figlia che e' Americana ed ha 11 anni e a cui non fa male rinfrescare la seconda lingua.

This is a Winter read for 2023