Play Book Tag discussion

Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm Of 1894 by Daniel James Brown - 10/22/22 - 4* - My Review

“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 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.

I will have to look for this. Great review.
I just reread The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and I like his writing style.

Linda C wrote: "I will have to look for this. Great review.
I just reread The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and I like his writing style."
I enjoyed that one, too!

I am reading Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by him, right now-this one is next up

Is this non-fiction?

Marie wrote: "Is this non-fiction?"

Yes, it is non-fiction. (It is the proverbial non-fiction that reads like fiction!)

Joanne wrote: "I am reading Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by him, right now-this one is next up"

I just finished that one not long ago. I look forward to your review.

I would be very much interested in reading this book but I'm afraid it will be difficult to get ahold of as I live in Europe. It would certainly be very scary as well as my great grandfather was logging in the woods near Pine City when it happened. He survived but two of his sons did not. According to family tradition they died from damage to their lungs and my great grandfather was injured trying to get them out. I have read other accounts that say that the two youngsters burned to death.

Margot, thank you for sharing your family history! I am curious to know if Brown mentions them in the book. His research is so impeccable. It is too bad you may have a hard time finding it. He is a pretty well known non-fiction writer here in the U.S. However the book is one of his older ones. Like all his books, this one has stayed me.