Wisconsin: A Captivating Guide to the History of Wisconsin and Peshtigo Fire of 1871

by Captivating History

If you want to discover the captivating history of Wisconsin and the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, then keep reading... Two captivating manuscripts in one History of A Captivating Guide to the History of the Badger State, Starting from the Arrival of Jean Nicolet through the Fox Wars, War of 1812, and Gilded Age to the PresentThe Peshtigo Fire of 1871: A Captivating Guide to the Deadliest Wildfire in the History of the United States of America That Occurred in Northeastern WisconsinThe pristine lakes, towering forests, and breathtaking views of Wisconsin are well-known sights that attract large numbers of tourists every year. Thousands of people flock to Wisconsin each year to hunt in its woods, fish in its waters, or kayak along its many rivers. There are plenty of museums to walk through, too, and much to see within them, from the tragic stories in the Peshtigo Fire Museum to the awe-inspiring sight of the fossilized Boaz mastodon at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, the history of Wisconsin is so much more than just exhibits in museums. The 30th state has a long, rich story behind its modern-day facade. Thousands of years ago, ancient peoples hunted giant beasts on the frozen glaciers that have now given way to rivers and lakes. Rich cultures populated the frigid early forests of Wisconsin, eventually giving way to the arrival of French explorers. Soon, the British took over, ushering in an era of booming colonization, and Wisconsin saw its first recorded war. With the American Revolution, Wisconsin became free, and that brought a whole new set of challenges for its people to face. Wisconsin’s history is as richly detailed and relentlessly interesting as its glorious landscapes. Its history has always paralleled that of the United States, giving a fascinating deeper glimpse into a story we all know so well. Wisconsin saw the effects of colonialism, stood up for the rights of all people during the Civil War, and endured the wrath of fire. And in this book, you'll discover its story. Some of the topics covered in part 1 of this book Wild WisconsinFrench ColonizationBritish ColonizationWisconsin as a United States TerritoryWisconsin as a StateWisconsin BurnsAnd much, much more!Some of the topics covered in part 2 of this book Before the BlazeLife in PeshtigoAsh Like SnowNature Lifted up Its VoiceA Holocaust of FireAmong the AshesFlickers of HopeComposed of Wind and FireWildfires through American HistoryAnd much, much more!So if you want to learn more about the history of Wisconsin, then scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

Genres: History

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2020

Reviews

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both parts of this book are well-worth a reader's time, but I was absolutely enthralled by the 'Peshtigo Fire of 1871.' It is one of the best books I've read this year. The word pictures are amazing.

WISCONSIN SECTION --
Cheese and the Peshtigo Fire were the only two attributes I knew about Wisconsin before reading this book. I really liked how the author tied the prehistory of Wisconsin with the mastodon remains found by four rambunctious Dosch boys in 1897. The author doesn't get too bogged down in explaining the Clovis people and the people who followed; I liked the gentle overview of the salient facts.

It's interesting to note that 4/5 of the indigenous peoples of America have common DNA with the Clovis people. The author makes the point that the French were the people who interacted most kindly with the indigenous folks. This is a well-written, interesting story of a state that few of us know well. There is also a generous list of sources at the end, for further study.

PESHTIGO FIRE OF 1871 --
Wow! This isn't just another fire story; it is a fascinating read about a serious American history event that few of us remember. One of the most important reasons for this absence of memory is because, on the same night, Chicago also burned. However, the Peshtigo caused more death; but Chicago is a bigger town. Peshtigo's fire was 'the deadliest wildfire event in American history.'

Today, Peshtigo is best known (with a population of only about 4000) for the fire that almost obliterated it. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I felt like I were there, watching the trees explode and the hot ashes "snowing" over everything. The reason this story is so poignant is that the author told the story through the eyes of several of the citizens of Peshtigo. The author wrote word pictures of the aftermath: Father Pernin found a pool of metal on the ground; it was all that was left of the church's new bell. This book is well worth a reader's time and interest.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an extremely thoughtful Secret Santa gift from a Wisconsin raised work colleague. It is effectively two separate but very related books in a series of Captivating History Books, designed to make history interesting. The first is a state history which also serves as a history of the US itself; the second, and the reason it was of particular interest, is the story of the Peshtigo Fire of 1871 – the deadliest wildfire in US history. What made this especially fascinating was that I received the gift when I was part way through the Baillie Gifford winning “Fire Weather” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and the Peshtigo Fire was in essence the same Fire-Tornado discussed at length there (this one caused by slash-and-burn logging techniques at a time of drought).

[Kamie Betterley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always nice to see a family member in a history book!