Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Guilford, Conn. : Lyons Press, c2006.
Description
History. Nonfiction. HTML: On September 1, 1894 two forest fires converged on the town of Hinckley, Minnesota, trapping over 2,000 people. Daniel J. Brown recounts the events surrounding the fire in the first and only book on to chronicle the dramatic story that unfolded. Whereas Oregon's famous "Biscuit" fire in 2002 burned 350,000 acres in one week, the Hinckley fire did the same damage in five hours. The fire created its own weather, including hurricane-strength winds, bubbles of plasma-like glowing gas, and 200-foot-tall flames. In some instances, "fire whirls," or tornadoes of fire, danced out from the main body of the fire to knock down buildings and carry flaming debris into the sky. Temperatures reached 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit�??the melting point of steel. As the fire surrounded the town, two railroads became the only means of escape. Two trains ran the gauntlet of fire. One train caught on fire from one end to the other. The heroic young African-American porter ran up and down the length of the train, reassuring the passengers even as the flames tore at their clothes. On the other train, the engineer refused to back his locomotive out of town until the last possible minute of escape. In all, more than 400 people died, leading to a revolution in forestry management practices and federal agencies that monitor and fight wildfires today. Author Daniel Brown has woven together numerous survivors' stories, historical sources, and interviews with forest fire experts in a gripping narrative that tells the fascinating story of one of North America's most devastating fires and how it changed the nation.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jtlauderdale
There are several accounts of this tragedy available but this is the most readable I've come across. The author's personal connection to the disaster (his grandfather survived it) allows him to bring the story home to the modern reader. I liked how he brought current-day Hinckley into the story.
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There is a good index. Don't miss the P. S. section at the end of the paperback version; it's easy to overlook. Show Less
LibraryThing member Schmerguls
The author's great-grandfather died in the horrendous fire which devastated Pine County, Minnesota on Sep 1, 1894. The book tells the story of the ordeal very well, and even though it is gruesome to read about the fire and the things that the persons caught in it went through I thought the book
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well done and well worth reading. In the Epilogue the author tells of his 2004 visit to Hinckley--and this brought the book to an inspiring end. Over 436 people died in the fire--and in that day the effort to get help to them and the survivors was so crude compared to the present time that one feels really frustrated as one reads the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bandings
Written as a mix of history and historical novel, "Under a Flaming Sky" tells the story of Hinckley, Minnesota and the surrounding area as it was destroyed by a fire storm on September 1, 1894.
The author of this book did immense research to include details found in many other sources, but brought
I have read this book at least four times. Each time I read it I think I will remember everything, yet the next time I read it I find things I'd forgotten. This is not due to any lack in the writing; rather, it is difficult for one's mind to comprehend the immensity of this tragedy.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the history of Minnesota, in the history of fire fighting, and for general factual reading.
The author of this book did immense research to include details found in many other sources, but brought
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together in this tome. To keep the story flowing, the author created some dialog but based it on quotations found in other sources. The book ends up feeling like a storytelling mixed with background facts (about what happens to a body that has suffered great burns, about the history of fire fighting, etc.)I have read this book at least four times. Each time I read it I think I will remember everything, yet the next time I read it I find things I'd forgotten. This is not due to any lack in the writing; rather, it is difficult for one's mind to comprehend the immensity of this tragedy.
I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the history of Minnesota, in the history of fire fighting, and for general factual reading.
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LibraryThing member stezton
I found this book to be a really good read. Even though he's recounting history it doesn't drag in any way. There is plenty of dialog which leaves me wondering how much is accurate, but it does help keep it interesting. To help the reader get a sense of the intensity and scope of the fire the
In all, I recommend this book to anyone that finds the description appealing. I definitely found it to be well-written and entertaining.
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author spends a page or two at various points explaining what was taking place scientifically. These passages are not too hard to grasp for the layman and help the reader understand better.In all, I recommend this book to anyone that finds the description appealing. I definitely found it to be well-written and entertaining.
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LibraryThing member ceddle
recalls Currie participation during the fire
LibraryThing member wholewatermelon
It was amazing to me that these events really happened. This fire terrorized so many people, and their stories are amazing. It was written so well, and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
LibraryThing member 2wonderY
Perhaps it was the subject matter, or maybe Brown has improved vastly. After reading (twice!) and loving The Boys in the Boat, I wanted all this author can write. This book was competent, but not nearly as skillful or engaging. I'm glad to have read it, mostly for the historical aspects. There is
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lots to contemplate in the story. Brown accomplishes a good balancing of on the spot re-creation and background information. But his characters in this book can't compare to Joe Rantz and George Pocock. Show Less
LibraryThing member Arkrayder
This was an well written hard rending account of the Hinckley firestorm of 1894. Each account of heroism and suffering are given respectful attention. It boggles the mind how anything like this tragedy could happen. Highly recommended read.
LibraryThing member Castlelass
“On September 1, 1894, two forest fires converged on the town of Hinckley, MN, trapping more than 2000 people. The fire created its own weather, including hurricane-strength winds, bubbles of plasma-like glowing gas, and 200-foot tall flames. As temperatures reached 1,600 degrees F, the firestorm
This book tells the true story of the 1894 Great Hinckley Firestorm, which burned 350,000 acres in 5 hours and killed over 400 people. It is the story of a logging town in Minnesota. Many of those logs provided additional fuel to the fire. The narrative provides a vivid sense of this disaster. It also presents the context and aftermath.
It is well-structured. The author builds suspense as the fire approaches the town. He portrays the panic people feel when they find themselves trapped. Brown has woven these stories together through researching diaries, letters, and news articles. It is filled with individual stories and acts of heroism.
“As she stepped outside an enormous blast of hot air slammed into the house, bowling mother and child over, tumbling them 25 or 30 feet into a nearby cornfield. Anderson ran to them and knelt beside the dazed mother, imploring her to let him take the baby. He’d save its life if he could save his own…She resisted at first, but then looked where Anderson was pointing at the wall of flame advancing toward them and thrust the baby into Anderson’s arms.”
Brown’s grandfather was a child when this fire hit town, so he had a personal interest in documenting this disaster. His grandfather survived but lost family members. It is scary, heart-wrenching, and sad, but also an excellent example of bringing a lesser-known piece of history to light.
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knocked down buildings and carried flaming debris high into the sky. Two trains—one with every single car on fire—became the only means of escape. In all, more than 400 people would die, leading to a revolution in forestry management and the birth of federal agencies that monitor and fight wildfires.”This book tells the true story of the 1894 Great Hinckley Firestorm, which burned 350,000 acres in 5 hours and killed over 400 people. It is the story of a logging town in Minnesota. Many of those logs provided additional fuel to the fire. The narrative provides a vivid sense of this disaster. It also presents the context and aftermath.
It is well-structured. The author builds suspense as the fire approaches the town. He portrays the panic people feel when they find themselves trapped. Brown has woven these stories together through researching diaries, letters, and news articles. It is filled with individual stories and acts of heroism.
“As she stepped outside an enormous blast of hot air slammed into the house, bowling mother and child over, tumbling them 25 or 30 feet into a nearby cornfield. Anderson ran to them and knelt beside the dazed mother, imploring her to let him take the baby. He’d save its life if he could save his own…She resisted at first, but then looked where Anderson was pointing at the wall of flame advancing toward them and thrust the baby into Anderson’s arms.”
Brown’s grandfather was a child when this fire hit town, so he had a personal interest in documenting this disaster. His grandfather survived but lost family members. It is scary, heart-wrenching, and sad, but also an excellent example of bringing a lesser-known piece of history to light.
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
What a wild piece of history! This nonfiction book tells of the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894. So many people died or lost everything they had. The author had a relative caught in the tragedy and it drew his interest. A heartbreaking piece of Minnesota history, but a testament to the heroic actions
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some people take in an emergency. Show Less
LibraryThing member la2bkk
Fascinating story and a well written account. I was previously only aware of the more infamous Peshtigo fire, yet this book this book makes clear the Hinckley tragedy was in many ways just as horrific.
My only minor criticisms are that there were a bit too many characters, making it hard to follow
Nonetheless, a very interesting read indeed.
My only minor criticisms are that there were a bit too many characters, making it hard to follow
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the storyline, and the myriad individual tragedies involved became almost repetitious after a while. Nonetheless, a very interesting read indeed.
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Awards
Washington State Book Award (Finalist — 2007)
Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (History — 2006)
Language
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