The Great Fire

The Great Fire--Jim Murphy

Summary--Jim Murphy takes you on an interesting and eyes witness journey through the Chicago fire. You get to be inside the heads of people from all different social statuses as well as characters with vastly differing ages. You get to see all the little slips the Chicago's brilliantly planned fire prevention plan, the fire fighter's desperate work, the people's panic as they try to flee and find themselves trapped in a wall of burning buildings. Through the eyes of one man you watch the fire do the impossible: jump a river. But most interestingly, it is shown that the O'Leary's (and their cow) were innocent of fault though that fact was never understood and they were forever ostracized.


Pro's--Gripping and easy to read this book takes you through one of the most amazing events in history. I loved how by switching perspectives I was able to get a very full and balanced view of what really happened during the conflagration, and afterwards.I appreciated understanding and being able to sympathize with the clashes between the classes and how this in some cases, foolishly allowed the fire to spread. This book was a big eye opener, reveling behind the scenes to a moment in history I usually only acknowledge with a small nod of recognition.

Con's--I read this book in early January so to be honest, I don't remember parts of it very well. If I am not mistaken there was a little bit of language but obviously not enough for me to have really been scandalized.

Ages 10 and up. Five stars.