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Fighting the Flames: A Tale of the London Fire Brigade
Frank Wilders is a bright, shining young star rising to distinguished heroism in the London Fire Brigade. No one is more proud of his accomplishments than his younger brother, Willie. As Frank battles the flames, Willie learns what the heart of a hero is made of. Through daring rescues, valiant hard work, plots of arson, attempted murder and winning the worthy hearts of virtuous young women, the best and worst of mid-19th century London is exposed. Fighting the Flames: A Tale of the London Fire Brigade is a masterpiece of fiction; a beautiful tapestry woven of adventure, heroism and the broad spectrum of human nature. R.M. Ballantyne expertly maneuvers his extensive and intricate cast of characters through a series of crossed paths, creating lively interplay between the wide varieties of human personalities and foibles that create the diversity of city life--all in the shadow of the great nightly battle with the flames.
399 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1867
8 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Ballantyne
600 books120 followersR. M. Ballantyne was a Scottish writer of juvenile fiction.
Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and where he served for six years with the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.
Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and where he served for six years with the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 12, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
By: R.M. Ballantyne
Ages: 13 and up (an attempted murder, the subject of fires, a death, etc.)
I've waited quite a while to review this book (I read it in May of this year). But during the months after having read it, I would periodically think of it and I'd just get happy inside (or tell my sister that she had to read it, of course). Fighting the Flames was really the most enjoyable book by Ballantyne that I've read to date.
Willie Wilders. He was my favorite character, by far. At first he seems like just a mischievous boy, but as the story progresses you see more of who he really is. Yes, he had fun confusing his uncle (granted, it would've been funny, considering the situation!), and then his uncle never got to find out the truth until a good bit of time later, but, aside from that...Willie's not *too* terribly mischievous. ;) I just loved how sweet he was! He was incredibly giving, even when he didn't have much to spare. I really liked that you see him as a young boy (I think he's 12) and then the story skips ahead to when he's maybe twenty-one. It was cool, because the whole book had progressed during the seven years that you didn't read about, and everything was coming to a climax by that time.
I enjoyed the glimpses into the fire-fighters' lives and reading about their adventures. Plus, Willie's older brother Frank is part of the fire-fighting team you hear about, so everything weaves together in a really cool way.
Plus, Ballantyne managed to engrain his faith into the story as well. It's somewhat subtle, never thrown at the reader. I enjoy finding little moments of wisdom in his books!
And I just have to mention: It's inspiring to find that Ballantyne did his research the old-fashioned way: he went into the 'field', spending time with the fire-fighters and even going on runs with them. How cool, right!?
Anyways, back to the book.
As I mentioned a little earlier, everything weaves together - or, I should say, *everyone*. Ballantyne did something really neat with this novel: he connected every character through another character. All of the storylines overlap. Each character's story intertwines with someone else's. I've never read a book like that. Suffice to say, I liked it. A lot. He definitely made it work!
The book, as with all of Ballantyne's, can be somewhat long in descriptions, so it did take me a *little* while to get into it. And there is a somewhat intense scene that pops up nearer to the end that two characters' stories have been building up to. Someone also dies in one of the fires and there is a character who is often drunk (though, Ballantyne always discourages drinking in his books), but nothing is overly described (except for the scene mentioned above).
Overall, the story ends satisfactorily, and maybe even a little surprisingly! I liked most of the characters, I liked the story, and it was informative. I enjoyed Fighting the Flames, and it has officially become my favorite of the Ballantyne novels that I've read. Do I see a reread in the future? Probably.
By: R.M. Ballantyne
Ages: 13 and up (an attempted murder, the subject of fires, a death, etc.)
I've waited quite a while to review this book (I read it in May of this year). But during the months after having read it, I would periodically think of it and I'd just get happy inside (or tell my sister that she had to read it, of course). Fighting the Flames was really the most enjoyable book by Ballantyne that I've read to date.
Willie Wilders. He was my favorite character, by far. At first he seems like just a mischievous boy, but as the story progresses you see more of who he really is. Yes, he had fun confusing his uncle (granted, it would've been funny, considering the situation!), and then his uncle never got to find out the truth until a good bit of time later, but, aside from that...Willie's not *too* terribly mischievous. ;) I just loved how sweet he was! He was incredibly giving, even when he didn't have much to spare. I really liked that you see him as a young boy (I think he's 12) and then the story skips ahead to when he's maybe twenty-one. It was cool, because the whole book had progressed during the seven years that you didn't read about, and everything was coming to a climax by that time.
I enjoyed the glimpses into the fire-fighters' lives and reading about their adventures. Plus, Willie's older brother Frank is part of the fire-fighting team you hear about, so everything weaves together in a really cool way.
Plus, Ballantyne managed to engrain his faith into the story as well. It's somewhat subtle, never thrown at the reader. I enjoy finding little moments of wisdom in his books!
And I just have to mention: It's inspiring to find that Ballantyne did his research the old-fashioned way: he went into the 'field', spending time with the fire-fighters and even going on runs with them. How cool, right!?
Anyways, back to the book.
As I mentioned a little earlier, everything weaves together - or, I should say, *everyone*. Ballantyne did something really neat with this novel: he connected every character through another character. All of the storylines overlap. Each character's story intertwines with someone else's. I've never read a book like that. Suffice to say, I liked it. A lot. He definitely made it work!
The book, as with all of Ballantyne's, can be somewhat long in descriptions, so it did take me a *little* while to get into it. And there is a somewhat intense scene that pops up nearer to the end that two characters' stories have been building up to. Someone also dies in one of the fires and there is a character who is often drunk (though, Ballantyne always discourages drinking in his books), but nothing is overly described (except for the scene mentioned above).
Overall, the story ends satisfactorily, and maybe even a little surprisingly! I liked most of the characters, I liked the story, and it was informative. I enjoyed Fighting the Flames, and it has officially become my favorite of the Ballantyne novels that I've read. Do I see a reread in the future? Probably.
September 21, 2020
5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. This was my first Ballantyne book, and it took my heart by storm. I loved it so much. I loved seeing the brave firemen of yesterday, and all their courage and sacrifice. I loved Frank—I loved Frank. I loved Willie and Dale & the other firemen. I loved the humour. I loved the reflective writing style. I loved how clean the book was—I can think of only a mention or two of smoking and of a glass of beer. This story ended so happily and I am so eager to read more of Ballantyne’s writings!
A Favourite Quote: “... I like the vigour and energy that are called forth in the work, and I like the object of the work, which is to save life and property. Why ... it has all the danger and excitement of a soldier’s life without the bloody work, and with better ends in view.’
“‘Nay, nay, Frank,’ said the peaceful Mrs Willders, ‘you must not say “better ends,” because it is a great and glorious thing to defend one’s native land.’ ...
“‘True, mother,” rejoined Frank; ‘but I did not refer to ultimate ends, I only thought of the immediate results in connection with those engaged. The warrior fights, and, in so doing, destroys life and property. The fireman fights, and in doing so protects and preserves both.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “...and, would you believe it, that this boy’s brother-in-law—’
“‘Brother, ma’am,’ interrupted Willie.
“‘Yes, brother, actually saved my darling’s life last night, at the—the thing in Beverly Square.’
“‘What “darling’s life,” and what “thing” in Beverly Square?’ demanded Miss Deemas.
“‘What! have you not heard of the fire last night in Beverly Square—my relative, James Auberly—living there with his family—all burnt to ashes—and my sweet Loo, too? A what’s-’is-name was brought, and a brave fireman went up it, through fire and water and smoke. Young Auberly went up before him and fell—heat and suffocation—and saved her in his arms, and his name is Frank, and he’s this boy’s brother-in-law!’
“To this brief summary, given with much excitement, Miss Deemas listened with quiet composure, and then said with grim sarcasm, and very slowly: ‘Let me see; there was a fire in Beverly Square last night, and James Auberly, living there with his family, were all burned to ashes[,] and also your sweet Loo. A “what’s-his-name” having been brought, a brave fireman goes up it, and apparently never comes down again (burned to ashes also, I fancy); but young Auberly, who went up before him, and fell—heat and suffocation being the result—saved some one named “her” in his arms; his name being Frank (owing no doubt to his having been re-baptised, for ever since I knew him he has been named Frederick), and he is this boy’s brother-in-law!’”
A Favourite Quote: “... I like the vigour and energy that are called forth in the work, and I like the object of the work, which is to save life and property. Why ... it has all the danger and excitement of a soldier’s life without the bloody work, and with better ends in view.’
“‘Nay, nay, Frank,’ said the peaceful Mrs Willders, ‘you must not say “better ends,” because it is a great and glorious thing to defend one’s native land.’ ...
“‘True, mother,” rejoined Frank; ‘but I did not refer to ultimate ends, I only thought of the immediate results in connection with those engaged. The warrior fights, and, in so doing, destroys life and property. The fireman fights, and in doing so protects and preserves both.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “...and, would you believe it, that this boy’s brother-in-law—’
“‘Brother, ma’am,’ interrupted Willie.
“‘Yes, brother, actually saved my darling’s life last night, at the—the thing in Beverly Square.’
“‘What “darling’s life,” and what “thing” in Beverly Square?’ demanded Miss Deemas.
“‘What! have you not heard of the fire last night in Beverly Square—my relative, James Auberly—living there with his family—all burnt to ashes—and my sweet Loo, too? A what’s-’is-name was brought, and a brave fireman went up it, through fire and water and smoke. Young Auberly went up before him and fell—heat and suffocation—and saved her in his arms, and his name is Frank, and he’s this boy’s brother-in-law!’
“To this brief summary, given with much excitement, Miss Deemas listened with quiet composure, and then said with grim sarcasm, and very slowly: ‘Let me see; there was a fire in Beverly Square last night, and James Auberly, living there with his family, were all burned to ashes[,] and also your sweet Loo. A “what’s-his-name” having been brought, a brave fireman goes up it, and apparently never comes down again (burned to ashes also, I fancy); but young Auberly, who went up before him, and fell—heat and suffocation being the result—saved some one named “her” in his arms; his name being Frank (owing no doubt to his having been re-baptised, for ever since I knew him he has been named Frederick), and he is this boy’s brother-in-law!’”
June 11, 2016
I read this book with two of my siblings, and all of us have different tastes in books, and yet we all had fun reading this book. Many things happen that you don't see coming, which is always fun, coupled with getting things you want to see happen.
Over all it is a great book to read with others so you can laugh together, and discuss it.
Over all it is a great book to read with others so you can laugh together, and discuss it.
July 30, 2025
Tác phẩm mở đầu không đi theo lối giới thiệu nhân vật chính một cách trực diện mà chọn cách khơi gợi từ một sự cố nhỏ, một mẩu tàn lửa bé tí nhưng lại dẫn dắt tới một vụ hỏa hoạn khó lường, để rồi ta được đến với công việc giải cứu đầy quả cảm của những người lính cứu hỏa. Chính từ tình huống tưởng như không đáng kể này mà hai tuyến truyện dần hiện ra, một bên là cuộc sống hằng ngày luôn thấp thỏm và cảnh giác cao độ với hiểm nguy nhưng cũng đầy lý tưởng của người anh trai Frank, một người lính cứu hỏa tận tụy và bên kia là cậu em Willie, một cậu bé tuy nghịch ngợm nhưng lại vô cùng tốt bụng, đang dần xây dựng nên những mối quan hệ sâu sắc với các gia đình từng được Frank cứu giúp.
Phần truyện xoay quanh Willie khiến mình cảm thấy đặc biệt dễ chịu khi đọc, đặc biệt mình thích cô bé Lou vô cùng khi em là người đã xin bố giúp đỡ "nàng tiên nhỏ" của Willie vì nghĩ rằng cô bé ấy cũng ốm như mình, một hành động đã cho thấy sự ngây thơ, thiện lương và lòng đồng cảm chân thành giữa những con người nhỏ bé trong một thành phố rộng lớn. Những tình tiết như vậy tuy giản dị nhưng lại ghi dấu ấn rất sâu trong khoảng thời gian mình đọc truyện.
Tuy nhiên, điều khiến mình thực sự ấn tượng là tuyến truyện của Frank. Mình tin rằng tác giả hẳn đã dành nhiều công sức để nghiên cứu kỹ lưỡng về nghề nghiệp này khi những mô tả về sự chuẩn bị khẩn cấp, cách tổ chức chữa cháy, cứu người trong biển lửa được trình bày rất chân thực, giàu chi tiết và hoàn toàn thuyết phục người đọc. Thậm chí, tác giả còn dành riêng một chương để mô tả hệ thống phòng cháy chữa cháy trong thành phố và cách để người dân có thể phòng cháy chữa cháy trước tại nhà. Tuy nội dung nhiều lý thuyết là vậy nhưng do được viết theo phong cách cuộc hội thoại nên lại rất dễ đọc.
Tuy nhiên, điểm khiến mình tiếc nuối đôi chút là phần kết của truyện. Một vài nhân vật đáng mến, hay đối với mình là ít nhất họ không hẳn là người xấu, lại chịu số phận không mấy tốt đẹp. Ngược lại, tuyến phản diện dường như chưa nhận được sự trừng phạt tương xứng, khiến cho cảm giác công bằng chưa trọn vẹn. Cái kết của các nhân vật chính thì có hậu và chắc chắn là một sự tưởng thưởng xứng đáng cho họ, nhưng lại hơi vội vàng nên làm mình tiếc nuối một chút.
Dẫu vậy, với mình, Đương đầu với lửa vẫn là một câu chuyện đáng quý, đặc biệt trong cách nó tôn vinh lòng quả cảm của những người lính cứu hỏa, những con người hằng ngày dấn thân vào nơi hiểm nguy để bảo vệ cuộc sống và bình yên cho người khác. Tựa như câu ngạn ngữ "lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức", hành trình của Frank và Willie là minh chứng cho lòng dũng cảm, tình thân và sự tử tế vẫn luôn hiện diện giữa đời thường.
Phần truyện xoay quanh Willie khiến mình cảm thấy đặc biệt dễ chịu khi đọc, đặc biệt mình thích cô bé Lou vô cùng khi em là người đã xin bố giúp đỡ "nàng tiên nhỏ" của Willie vì nghĩ rằng cô bé ấy cũng ốm như mình, một hành động đã cho thấy sự ngây thơ, thiện lương và lòng đồng cảm chân thành giữa những con người nhỏ bé trong một thành phố rộng lớn. Những tình tiết như vậy tuy giản dị nhưng lại ghi dấu ấn rất sâu trong khoảng thời gian mình đọc truyện.
Tuy nhiên, điều khiến mình thực sự ấn tượng là tuyến truyện của Frank. Mình tin rằng tác giả hẳn đã dành nhiều công sức để nghiên cứu kỹ lưỡng về nghề nghiệp này khi những mô tả về sự chuẩn bị khẩn cấp, cách tổ chức chữa cháy, cứu người trong biển lửa được trình bày rất chân thực, giàu chi tiết và hoàn toàn thuyết phục người đọc. Thậm chí, tác giả còn dành riêng một chương để mô tả hệ thống phòng cháy chữa cháy trong thành phố và cách để người dân có thể phòng cháy chữa cháy trước tại nhà. Tuy nội dung nhiều lý thuyết là vậy nhưng do được viết theo phong cách cuộc hội thoại nên lại rất dễ đọc.
Tuy nhiên, điểm khiến mình tiếc nuối đôi chút là phần kết của truyện. Một vài nhân vật đáng mến, hay đối với mình là ít nhất họ không hẳn là người xấu, lại chịu số phận không mấy tốt đẹp. Ngược lại, tuyến phản diện dường như chưa nhận được sự trừng phạt tương xứng, khiến cho cảm giác công bằng chưa trọn vẹn. Cái kết của các nhân vật chính thì có hậu và chắc chắn là một sự tưởng thưởng xứng đáng cho họ, nhưng lại hơi vội vàng nên làm mình tiếc nuối một chút.
Dẫu vậy, với mình, Đương đầu với lửa vẫn là một câu chuyện đáng quý, đặc biệt trong cách nó tôn vinh lòng quả cảm của những người lính cứu hỏa, những con người hằng ngày dấn thân vào nơi hiểm nguy để bảo vệ cuộc sống và bình yên cho người khác. Tựa như câu ngạn ngữ "lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức", hành trình của Frank và Willie là minh chứng cho lòng dũng cảm, tình thân và sự tử tế vẫn luôn hiện diện giữa đời thường.
August 3, 2017
A friend gave this to me for my birthday. Being a G.A. Henty fan myself, I was curious about R.M. Ballantyne, who is supposed to be close to Henty's style. This was my second Ballantyne, and I must say I enjoyed it a lot. The style, while very descriptive, also had a good hunk of dialogue. The book followed a lot of characters, but they were defined enough that it was easy to keep up with every one.
I loved following Willie and Frank best, though I felt like some pieces of their life's were rather skipped over when I wanted to know how they went.
While this book looks thick, it doesn't feel it once I started reading it.
The only tiny, tiny little thing I didn't like was the inventor making a machine that is described to ground a whole animal into sausage. That was a picture I could have gone my whole life without just cause its gross!! Also I love my dog, so yeah... like I said, tiny thing, but I still didn't like it.
Overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I loved following Willie and Frank best, though I felt like some pieces of their life's were rather skipped over when I wanted to know how they went.
While this book looks thick, it doesn't feel it once I started reading it.
The only tiny, tiny little thing I didn't like was the inventor making a machine that is described to ground a whole animal into sausage. That was a picture I could have gone my whole life without just cause its gross!! Also I love my dog, so yeah... like I said, tiny thing, but I still didn't like it.
Overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
November 10, 2025
để mà nói về cuốn này thì không quá khó đọc tuy nhiên cũng không quá dễ đọc. Mình đọc cuốn này lâu do đợt vừa rồi bận thôi chứ tập trung đọc thì vài ngày là hết. Câu chuyện thì xoay quanh anh em nhà Wilders là Frank Wilders và Willie Wilders, tuy nhiên thì cuốn sách cũng khai thác câu chuyện những nhân vật khác nữa. Cuốn sách phác họa những người lính cứu hỏa như những người anh hùng, và trận chiến họ phải đối mặt là những vụ hỏa hoạn - nơi họ có thể hy sinh bất cứ lúc nào. Những người anh hùng này trong mắt những người dân là những người quả cảm đã cứu cả con người lẫn tài sản. Ngoài ra, cuốn sách còn khai thác một khía cạnh nữa là những tầng lớp nghèo khổ của xã hội London lúc bấy giờ nữa. Cũng đáng để thử đọc về nghề lính cứu hỏa.
June 19, 2022
Wonderful entertaining listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British 🏰 romantic relationship family adventure thriller short story by R. M. Ballantyne about the London 🔥 firefighters, their families, and survivors of fires. It ends with a large 🔥 fire on the London docks with the supervisor of the fire department dying and several others. I would recommend this novella to readers of historical novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of novels and books 📚. 2022 👒😊💑🏡
Another will written British 🏰 romantic relationship family adventure thriller short story by R. M. Ballantyne about the London 🔥 firefighters, their families, and survivors of fires. It ends with a large 🔥 fire on the London docks with the supervisor of the fire department dying and several others. I would recommend this novella to readers of historical novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of novels and books 📚. 2022 👒😊💑🏡
September 22, 2019
I would give it a 7 out of 10.
February 15, 2015
This book is not one single story, but rather several minor plots woven into one book to give a wonderful picture of the life of London and particularly the London Fire Brigade. Many of the stories of the heroism, courage, and courtesy of the firemen and other related people brought tears to my eyes, and it is well-written so I could understand the great trials and difficulties, without it being too graphic. With so much death and violence essential to the story, I really appreciated that each of these events is merely stated, without any details or intensity.
May 23, 2014
I really enjoy Ballantyne's books. This one was no exception it was lots of fun. it had many characters and side plots.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews