“The Great Chicago Fire” examines the devastating 1871 urban disaster and its profound influence on urban planning and architectural innovation.
Moving beyond the myth of Mrs. O'Leary's cow, the book explores the complex causes, including rapid urban growth and inadequate building codes.
The book meticulously documents the fire's destruction, mapping its path and quantifying the immense loss.
The book argues that the fire was a catalyst for positive change, like the adoption of stricter building codes and the rise of fire-resistant materials.
The rebuilding efforts reshaped the city's landscape and influenced modern architectural practices.
By analyzing primary sources like eyewitness accounts and insurance maps, the book provides a comprehensive account of the event.
The book progresses logically, starting with 19th-century Chicago's vulnerabilities, then investigating the fire's origins and impact, before analyzing the rebuilding efforts and the fire's lasting legacy on urban development worldwide.
It integrates historical, architectural, and urban planning perspectives, offering valuable insights for historians, architects, and anyone interested in how cities evolve in response to crisis.
