PositiveShelf AwarenessSmith\'s description of the fire\'s race through the city is gripping. Though readers already know how the story ends, he creates narrative tension through a series of vignettes based on the memories of those who fled the fire — including the long-maligned Mrs. O\'Leary ... His discussion of why Chicago was vulnerable to fire and how it rebounded so quickly are equally fascinating ... Chicago\'s Great Fire is a colorful and careful account of the growth and regrowth of an American city.
Carl Smith
PositiveShelf AwarenessSmith\'s description of the fire\'s race through the city is gripping. Though readers already know how the story ends, he creates narrative tension through a series of vignettes based on the memories of those who fled the fire — including the long-maligned Mrs. O\'Leary ... His discussion of why Chicago was vulnerable to fire and how it rebounded so quickly are equally fascinating ... Chicago\'s Great Fire is a colorful and careful account of the growth and regrowth of an American city.
