Books with title The Great Chicago Fire

Vivid storytelling brings American history to life and place readers in the shoes of people who experienced one of the worst fires in American history - the Great Chicago Fire. In October 1871 the Midwest was in the midst of one of the driest periods on record. A center of modern firefighting technology, all of Chicago's resources were put to the test by a fire that almost completely destroyed the city. Suspenseful, dramatic events unfold in chronological, interwoven stories from the different perspectives of people who experienced the event while it was happening. Narratives intertwine to create a breathless, "What's Next?" kind of read. Students gain a new perspective on historical figures as they learn about real people struggling to decide how best to act in a given moment.

For more than a century, poor Mrs. O'Leary and her cow have shouldered the blame for Chicago's infamous Great Fire of 1871. Now Murphy lays bare the facts concerning one of the biggest disasters in American history, in the process exculpating the maligned bovine and her owner. Murphy demonstrates that the fire could have been contained: he unfolds a tale of botched communication, class discrimination and plain old bad luck. Strategically quoting the written accounts of witnesses -- who include a 12-year-old girl and a newspaper editor -- Murphy both charts the 31-hour spread of the fire and conveys the atmosphere in the streets.