The Great Fire, Jim Murphy
The Great Fire, Jim Murphy
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The Great Fire

Author: Jim Murphy

Narrator: John McDonough

Unabridged: 2 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 03/06/2009

Synopsis

Award-winning author Jim Murphy whisks you back in time to witness the disastrous 1871 Chicago Fire. He depicts the tragedy so vividly, you can almost feel the scorching heat and hear the roar of the blaze as it reduces the bustling city to a smoldering wasteland. On a warm Sunday evening, a fire breaks out in a barn. No one worries about it-fires are common in Chicago. But soon a sea of flames is sweeping up and down the streets, devouring everything in its path. People pour into the roads, hoping to outrun the raging inferno. Their shouts ring through the night as wind carries crackling tongues of fire ahead of them, blocking their chance of escape. Weaving together accounts of actual survivors and historical writings, the author creates a thrilling book that reads like an exciting adventure story. Narrator John McDonough keeps you on the edge of your chair from the first flickering flame to the trying aftermath when Chicago rises from the ashes.

About Jim Murphy

Jim Murphy has written two Newbery Honor books: An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (which was also a National Book Award finalist) and The Great Fire. He lives in New Jersey. Visit his Web site at www.jimmurphybooks.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jim on December 20, 2018

This was a good, short book on the Great Chicago fire of 1871. Murphy describes the area, construction, & weather leading up to the disaster. While he uses many personal accounts, newspaper articles, & historical references, he follows 4 disparate people who lived through the fire. One was a 12 year......more

Goodreads review by Sunday on May 17, 2022

The Great Fire (Murphy, 1995) is a Newbery Honor Book. Filled with black and white photos and illustrations, this isn’t a book that is immediately appealing like some other titles. If you can get kids to start the book, though, they will be pulled into the gripping narrative Murphy has created descr......more

Goodreads review by Jay on January 23, 2020

QUICK read. 8th graders read it this year and I was curious to see what they were learning about. quite informative. crazy how 1 family caused the destruction of an entire city.......more

Goodreads review by Barb on September 21, 2019

A fascinating look at the Chicago great fire from several perspectives.......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on November 23, 2014

This is a non-fiction, award winning account of the Great Chicago Fire. Being a Chicagoan and a history undergraduate major, I found this topic most interesting. Most people are aware of the legend that the fire was started when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a bucket, but Murphy unravels the histor......more

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