The Circus Fire: An American Tragedy
Category: the awasomen digital circus
The acclaimed author of "Emily, Alone" and "Henry, Himself" brings all his narrative gifts to bear on this gripping account of tragedy and heroism—the great Hartford circus fire of 1944. Steward O'Nan skillfully re-creates the horrific events and illuminates the psychological oddities of human behavior under stress: the mad scramble for the exits; the perilous effort to maneuver animals out of danger; the hero who tossed dozens of children to safety before being trampled to death. Drawing on interviews with hundreds of survivors, O'Nan's account of the great Hartford circus fire is brilliantly constructed and exceptionally moving, making it history at its most compelling.
It was a midsummer afternoon, halfway through a Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus performance, when the big top caught fire. The tent had been waterproofed with a mixture of paraffin and gasoline; in seconds it was burning out of control. More than 8,000 people were trapped inside, and the ensuing disaster would eventually take 167 lives.
Brilliantly constructed and exceptionally moving, "The Circus Fire" is a gripping account of tragedy and heroism that showcases the author's narrative gifts. O'Nan's skillful re-creation of the horrific events illuminates the psychological oddities of human behavior under stress, from the mad scramble for the exits to the perilous effort to maneuver animals out of danger, and the heartbreaking story of the hero who tossed dozens of children to safety before being trampled to death. Drawing on interviews with hundreds of survivors, this work of history is truly compelling.
product information:
Attribute | Value | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
publisher | Anchor; Illustrated edition (June 12, 2001) | ||||
language | English | ||||
paperback | 384 pages | ||||
isbn_10 | 0385496850 | ||||
isbn_13 | 978-0385496858 | ||||
item_weight | 12.8 ounces | ||||
dimensions | 5.21 x 1 x 7.9 inches | ||||
best_sellers_rank | #331,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #20 in Circus Performing Arts #970 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences #4,485 in U.S. State & Local History | ||||
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