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

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

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.

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...

Journalism at its best!

This book is a well done account of a deadly fire at Our Lady of Angels Catholic school in Chicago on Dec. 1, 1958. I was very little, but I remember my mom crying and being glued to the TV to know what happened. The book first goes through some accounts of a few children who attended the school along with the pastor of the parish, the janitor and some of the teachers. The layout of the school is well described. The account of the fire, and what went right and wrong is detailed in depth. The authors never miss the humanity of all involved.

The book then goes into the aftermath both for the survivors and the families of those who did not. One must remember that at the time fire safety requirements were much less stringent and the school was grandfathered in under the fire code of the time. The book is one which kept my attention even though I'd read it years ago. The narrator is excellent for nonfiction. His reading was clear and dispassionate while not being boreing. If you are interested in a well reported story which examines all sides of a situation this book is for you. Parts were very touching but I couldn't easily put it down. I'm glad I have a device which fits in my pocket for listening.

Educational

This was actually a pretty good story overall, many different accounts from firsthand of what happened. It did go into the investigation a bit and a little with lawsuits. I just wish that there would have been one additional chapter to describe the overall fire activity better, with possible diagrams, in order to get a better idea of the fire to go with the accounts of the incident.

Gripping, true story

My family moved from the area surrounding this school in 1967. We lived on Springfield, one block down from the boy who confessed. This was a horrific event and my heart aches for the victims and survivors.

Beautifully written, exceptional narration.

Wow, this narrator is exceptional. He was the perfect choice to read this profoundly sad story. On multiple occasions I was audibly crying. Couldn’t put it down.

Love this book!

I loved this book and the story although it was very sad it was very intense and great!