To Sleep with the Angels

The Story of a Fire

By: David Cowan, John Kuenster

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

If burying a child has a special poignancy, the tragedy at a Catholic elementary school in Chicago more than 50 years ago was an extraordinary moment of grief. One of the deadliest fires in American history, it took the lives of 92 children and three nuns at Our Lady of the Angels School, left many families physically and psychologically scarred for life, and destroyed a close-knit working-class neighborhood.

This is the moving story of that fire and its consequences, written by two journalists who have been obsessed with the events of that terrible day in December 1958. It is a story of ordinary people caught up in a disaster that shocked the nation. In gripping detail, those who were there - children, teachers, firefighters - describe the fear, desperation, and panic that prevailed in and around the stricken school building on that cold Monday afternoon. But beyond the flames, the story of the fire at Our Lady of the Angels became an enigma whose mystery has deepened with time: Its cause was never officially explained despite evidence that it had been intentionally set by a troubled student at the school.

©1996 David Cowan and John Kuenster (P)2017 Tantor

Gripping and very well written

Horrifying but a story that needs to be told and not forgotten. The authors bring this story to vivid life and I couldn’t stop listening.

amazingly gripping

let us not forget about the mistakes made in one of the worst fires in our country's history. some parts were hard to listen to but necessary.

Cant put it down

This book made me weep for the families who lost and the families who were destroyed

You felt like you were there at each step of the way

The history from the day of the fire to present is astonishing

Sad read but the triumph of all involved fire law dr and nurses make this proud to be of the human race

Riveting and Informative

Brilliant account of the tragic school fire. I was riveted to the book the whole time.

One of the saddest stories

This book, is one of the saddest stories I've ever read/listened to.
I listen or seek out this kind of book in an effort to get the story behind the headlines, beyond the sound bite. The personal stories mixed with the factual information was very well done.
I remember hearing about this fire when I was growing up but I certainly didn't know the whole story, and it's probably a good thing that I did not. I recommend this book though I have to say be prepared...