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Author Berg, Scott W., author.

Title The burning of the world : the Great Chicago Fire and the war for a city's soul / Scott W. Berg.

Publication Info. New York : Pantheon Books, [2023]
©2023
1 hold on first copy returned of 9 copies

Copies

Location Call No. Status
 Berlin-Peck Memorial Library - New Materials  977.311 BERG    Check Shelf
 Colchester, Cragin Memorial Library - New Materials  977.311 BERG, SCOTT W.    Check Shelf
 Cromwell-Belden Public Library - New Materials  977.311 BER    DUE 04-04-24
 Glastonbury, Welles-Turner Memorial Library - New Materials  977.311 BERG    Check Shelf
 Manchester, Main Library - New Materials  977.311 BERG    Check Shelf
 New Britain, Main Library - New Materials  977.3 BER    Check Shelf
 Newington, Lucy Robbins Welles Library - New Materials  977.311 BERG    Check Shelf
 West Hartford, Noah Webster Library - Adult New Materials  977.311 BERG    Check Shelf
 Wethersfield Public Library - New Books  NEW 977.311 BERG    Check Shelf
Edition First edition.
Description xx, 432 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 389-409) and index.
Contents Prologue -- Fire -- Flight -- Aftermath -- Election -- Inquest -- Soup -- Beer -- Fire.
Summary "The enthralling story of the Great Chicago Fire and the power struggle over the city's reconstruction in the wake of the tragedy In October of 1871, Chicagoans knew they were due for the "big one"--a massive, uncontrollable fire that would decimate the city. There hadn't been a meaningful rain since July, and several big blazes had nearly outstripped the fire department's scant resources. On October 8, when Kate Leary's barn caught fire, so began a catastrophe that would forever change the soul of the city. Leary was a diligent, hardworking Irish woman, no more responsible for the fire than anyone else in the city at that time. But the conflagration that spread from her property quickly overtook the neighborhood, and before too long the floating embers had spread to the far reaches of the city. Families took to the streets with everything they could carry. Grain towers threatened to blow. The Chicago River boiled. Over the course of the next forty-eight hours, Chicago saw the biggest and most destructive disaster the United States had ever endured, and Leary would be its scapegoat. Out of the ashes rose not just new skyscrapers, tenements, and homes, but also a new political order. The city's elite saw an opportunity to rebuild on their terms, cracking down on crime and licentiousness and fortifying a business-friendly environment. But the city's working class recognized a naked power grab that would challenge their traditions, hurt their chances of rebuilding, and move power out of elected officials' hands and into private interests. As quickly as the firefight ended, another battle for the future of the city began between the town's business elites and the poor and immigrant working class. An enrapturing account of the fire's devastating path and an eye-opening look at its aftermath, The Burning of the World tells the story of one of the most infamous calamities in history and the powerful transformation that followed"-- Provided by publisher.
Subject Fires -- Illinois -- Chicago.
Great Fire, Chicago, Ill., 1871.
Chicago (Ill.) -- History -- To 1875.
Chicago (Ill.) -- Politics and government -- To 1950.
Fires. (OCoLC)fst00925697
Politics and government. (OCoLC)fst01919741
Illinois -- Chicago. (OCoLC)fst01204048
Great Fire (Chicago, Illinois : 1871) (OCoLC)fst01404987
Chronological Term To 1950
Genre/Form History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
Informational works.
Added Title Great Chicago Fire and the war for a city's soul
Other Form: Online version: Berg, Scott W. Burning of the world First edition New York : Pantheon Books, 2023 9780804197854 (DLC) 2023000508
ISBN 9780804197847 (hardcover)
0804197849 (hardcover)
9780804197854 (ebk)
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