To Sleep With the Angels: The Story of a Fire (Illinois)

Rating:
Summary: A frightening book
Review: This is the most terrifying book I have ever read. As both a mother and a teacher, I found I could not put it down. I literally read all day until I finished it. It is a story of almost unbelievable sorrow and tragedy. Not for the faint of heart, or those easily distrubed. I found it to be a fair, well written account of a horrific event.

Rating:
Summary: Great book on a terrible tragedy
Review: This really is the only book about the Our Lady of the Angels fire (except Michele McBride's understandably bitter personal account), and it is quite well-written, fair, and reasonably complete. And extremely emotional. I can't remember ever reading a book which so saddened and touched me. I can't really add anything to what the other reviewers have said either, except that I wish the book had footnotes, sources and was a bit more in depth. I would also recommend the PBS documentary Angels Too Soon and www.olafire.com, an extremely detailed and valuable website.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, edge of your seat writing
Review: Well developed book which traces one of the most deadly fatality fires in America involving children. Identifies the possible political overtones and possible cover-ups of the investigation. Provides a human perspective from the view of firefighters, parents, neighbors, and all who came to help or view the fire scene. Some graphic, but real, descriptions of children who died and the firefighters who attempted to save them from the burning building. Shows the lack of preparation by both the fire department to respond to a school building and inadequate building codes and fire safety during that era. Raises concerns over current school and large public buildings that pre-date current life safety municipal codes.

Rating:
Summary: Must Read for Fire Investigators, Training Chiefs
Review: Well developed book which traces one of the most deadly fatality fires in America involving children. Identifies the possible political overtones and possible cover-ups of the investigation. Provides a human perspective from the view of firefighters, parents, neighbors, and all who came to help or view the fire scene. Some graphic, but real, descriptions of children who died and the firefighters who attempted to save them from the burning building. Shows the lack of preparation by both the fire department to respond to a school building and inadequate building codes and fire safety during that era. Raises concerns over current school and large public buildings that pre-date current life safety municipal codes.