Book Review: 'Young Men and Fire' by Norman Maclean

✰✰✰½ Today the Smokejumpers are an elite group of men and women who face the forest fires that are otherwise unreachable. The Smokejumper program was founded in 1939, and this true story takes place only ten years later when the group was just coming into its own. The Mann Gulch fire initially seemed like an ordinary mission. The fire had started by lightning, and the crew thought they would mop it up in no time. However, a perfect storm of circumstances led to them reversing course, even abandoning their tools, and running for their lives.

Of the survivors, one lived due to inventing the “escape fire” on the spot. But what saved his life would end up igniting a controversy that would span decades until the author took it upon himself to flesh out the truth. Part study of fire science, part survival story, and part quest for discovery, this book also looks at the philosophical points of life and insures that the men will never be forgotten.

The Bottom Line: Published posthumously, this true story about the Mann Gulch fire tragedy takes the reader on a quest to discover the mystery behind why so many lost their lives. This mystery almost became an obsession for the author in the last chapter of his life. Having been a firefighter, the author brought personal experience to his telling of the tragedy. Recommended for individuals interested in survival, science, and philosophy. [Note: This was the author’s second book. His first, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories was made into a movie.]

Book Club Notes: This was only the second meeting of this book club, so I give them a lot of credit for reading this challenging book. Parts are difficult to read, but the sacrifice these men made led to developments in firefighting techniques and safety as well as made people think about how to escape a forest fire. After this tragedy, the focus of saving people became the priority over extinguishing the fire if the choice presented itself. On a scale of 1 - 5, ratings averaged 3.3. The writing style with long run-on sentences was difficult for many to read. Also, a good portion of this book was philosophical, which led us to a completely different discussion than planned. Overall, recommended for groups interested in fire science, survival, and philosophy.

Details: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean. Paperback (25th Anniversary edition)  published by The University of Chicago Press in 2017. 369 P. ISBN: 978-0-226-45035-3

Book Review: 'The Red Bandanna' by Tom Rinaldi

✰✰✰✰✰ What would you do if you knew this was the last hour of your life? Where would you be? Who would you hug? On 9/11/2001, two planes flew into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Many people had to make a decision: Wait for help or try to escape? Every second counted.

Years earlier on a Sunday morning before church, a father gave his young son two handkerchiefs: a white one for his suit pocket for show, and a red one for his back pocket for the blow. As the child grew up, he became an athlete, a volunteer firefighter, and a college graduate. He even landed a coveted job on the 104th floor of the South tower of the World Trade Center. Throughout it all, he dreamed of becoming a firefighter. And throughout it all, he kept a red bandanna in his back pocket.

When the twin towers fell, the young man was nowhere to be found. No one knew what had happened to him. His family searched for months. Just when they thought they might never find him, stories began to surface about a mysterious young man. Through the smoke, flames, injuries, and panic, survivors remembered a young man with a red bandanna. These survivors said that they only lived because of him.

No one knew his name. No one knew who he was, but this young man, identified by a simple piece of red cloth, chose to help rather than flee. He could have gotten out and saved himself, but instead he guided these strangers to safety. Not once, but twice.

This is the story about how a red bandanna became a symbol of courage. This is the story of one young man who ran towards danger. He was simply doing what he felt was right. On that fateful day his dream of becoming a firefighter came true. He never made it out, but he lives on in the people he saved.

In the last hour of his life, twenty-four year old Welles Crowther made the fearless decision to help others. What would you do?

The Bottom Line: This was the best book I read last year. I highly recommend it to everyone. It would be a great pick for high schools and colleges. Also, book clubs will want to consider this inspirational biography.

Details: The Red Bandanna: A Life, A Choice, A Legacy by Tom Rinaldi. Hardcover published by Penguin Press in 2016. 224 p. ISBN: 978-1-59420-677-1

Book Review: 'The Sinking of the Eastland' by Jay Bonansinga

✰✰✰✰½ When you think of famous ship disasters, the Titanic and the Lusitania are probably the two names that come to mind. However, there is another disaster that until recently has mostly been forgotten. The Eastland was an excursion boat on Lake Michigan with a reputation for being a bit cranky due to her design. Over the years she had had some near disasters, and the number of people she was allowed to carry was reduced. Her owners, however, were determined to raise her capacity in order to make more money. Thus, shortly before her fateful voyage, lifeboats were added and other changes were made.

On the morning of July 24, 1915, thousands of Western Electric employees and their families arrived at the Chicago riverfront to board several ships that would ferry them to the annual company picnic in Michigan City. While still sitting in port, the Eastland began to list. As thousands of horrified people watched, the ship capsized sending 844 men, women, and children to their untimely deaths. Using eyewitness accounts, first-hand testimony, photographs, and archived materials, author Jay Bonasinga has woven together a gripping tale of greed and tragedy.

The Bottom Line: This is a fast-paced read that focuses on a mostly forgotten tragedy in American history. By placing the spotlight on the lives of the passengers, crew members, rescue workers, and an undertaker, Bonansinga has retold the unimaginable horrors of the day with vivid imagery. Very highly recommended for nonfiction readers of American history, Chicago history, survival, shipwrecks, and other disasters.

Book Club Notes: Summer book club attendance is always lower due to scheduled vacations, but we had a good turnout to discuss this forgotten incident in our local history. Although several participants had grown up and attended schools in the Chicagoland area, most of us were not aware of this tragedy. We agreed that it's best to read the book a little bit at a time, otherwise it can be overwhelming. We also noted that as a work of narrative nonfiction. Thus, the author has taken some liberties with creating dialogues; however, the dialogues were believable. On a scale of 1 - 5, ratings from the group ranged from a low of 2 up to 4.5.

To supplement your book club, questions can be found at the Oswego Public Library District and the Galesburg Public Library. Additionally, several video clips are available, including the ones featured on Chicago Tonight. Lost footage is featured at gCaptain. For more information about the author, visit his website.

Details: The Sinking of the Eastland: America’s Forgotten Tragedy by Jay Bonansinga. Hardcover published by Citadel Press in 2004. 320 p. ISBN: 0-8065-2628-9

Book Review: 'On the Day I Died' by Candace Fleming

✰✰✰½ Mike Kowalski is just your average high school teen with a midnight curfew. Glancing at his car's dashboard clock, he realizes that he is running late again. Ignoring his ringing cell phone, he steps on the gas. Suddenly his car's headlights spotlight a girl standing directly in his path. Slamming on the brakes, Mike narrowly misses her. That's when things begin to get strange. The pale girl is wet, cold, and needs a ride home. What is Mike to do? He can't just leave her there.

After dropping her off, Mike notices her brand new saddle shoes on the floor of his car. He returns to the girl's house only to be told by her mother that she died many years ago. If Mike wants to return the shoes, he'll have to go to White Cemetery, a place just for young people. When he arrives, the cemetery seems forgotten and abandoned, but soon he realizes he's not alone. One by one the ghosts emerge all around him. Mike is horrified to discover that he cannot leave until he hears their stories...their death stories. Before the night is through, Mike will have heard them all, but will he be allowed to leave or will he become one of them?

The Bottom Line: This collection of short ghost stories takes place in the Chicagoland area; some are even loosely based on well-known urban legends and lore. Since Fleming's characters span different decades from 1853 - 2012, each short story is like a time capsule. While Mike's character is used to bind the stories together, each ghost has a unique voice. Thus, the short stories could easily stand alone; you could even skip a story or two without missing beat.

Although some of these stories are more original than others, all are fun and creepy. This quick read is recommended for kids in middle school who enjoy horror, paranormal, historical, and even science fiction. The characters are almost evenly divided between male and female characters appealing to both boys and girls. And don't forget, short ghost stories are always a hit around Halloween. Also, for those interested in Chicago urban legends, the author includes a notes section.


Details: On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave by Candace Fleming. Hardcover published by Schwarz & Wade Books (an imprint of Random House) in 2012. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-375-96781-8

Book Review: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

✰✰✰✰½ When the whaleship Essex set sail from Nantucket in 1819, the crew expected a routine voyage to hunt whales. However, first time Captain George Pollard Jr. made a life changing decision when he sailed the ship to a new whaling ground far off the coast of South America. Soon after arriving in the Offshore Ground, the crew was in pursuit of a shoal of whales. What happened next turned a routine whale hunt into the stuff of legends.

For the first time in the history of Nantucket whale fishery, a whale had attacked a ship. The Essex was rammed and sunk by a large sperm whale measuring approximately 85 feet. The crew suddenly found themselves castaway in a desolate ocean with only themselves to rely on. The 20-man crew had to act fast to salvage the limited resources available to them, modify their whaleboats, and make another life changing decision. Instead of sailing to the nearest islands just west of their location, the crew set sail for South America, which was almost 3,000 miles away. Along the way as they were forced to face their greatest fears...starvation, dehydration, death, and cannibalism. By the time the ordeal was over, only eight men would survive, and none of them would ever be the same.

The Bottom Line: In the Heart of the Sea is a compelling and quick read. At first I was hesitant to choose this for my book club, but I am glad that I did. There is so much to discuss in this book from the history of Nantucket island to the tale of survival, from cetacean behavior to leadership styles. This book is fascinating, and I found myself wondering what I would have done differently from the crew in each situation. The writing style is engaging and kept me hooked. Readers should be aware that there is an extensive "Notes" section at the end of the book that should not be dismissed. I recommend reading each chapter's notes along with the story rather than reading all the notes at the end. Also, in addition to two maps, there is a glossy black and white section featuring photographs and illustrations.

It's interesting to note that Herman Melville's classic, Moby-Dick, was based in part on the sinking of the Essex. However, where Moby-Dick ends, the real story of survival just begins in Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea.

Ultimately, I was spellbound by the story of the Essex. This book is highly recommended for fans of maritime history and those who enjoy tales of survival. On the other hand, those who are a bit squeamish may want to skip this one due to the details of whale hunting, cannibalism, and the effects of starvation and dehydration on the body.

For more information about the author and the book (including book discussion questions), visit Nathaniel Philbrick's website. Also, I recently read that a movie is in development with Chris Hemsworth signed on to play the first mate, Owen Chase. I hope the movie is as thrilling as the book.

Details: In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. Paperback published by Penguin Books in 2001. 302 p. ISBN: 978-0-14-100182-1