The Hartford Circus Fire: Tragedy Under the Big Top (Disaster)

Woeful account of an appalling tragedy that should never have happened. Just the vision of dozens of hirelings with buckets of water ready to be flung at any fire that might break out (and often did) reveals that fires like this were expected to happen in these big flammable tents. Craziness!!This is well researched and written, however, requiring a second or third reading to begin to comprehend it all. Fire resistant fabric coating made out of paraffin wax and gasoline? Exits blocked by wild animal runways? The mind boggles.

This fire happened a year before I was born and I had never heard of it until I came across this book on Kindle. It was very interesting. A complete list of all fatalities is provided. I don't know if there are any circuses still showing under canvas today but I haven't heard of any in years. If you are interested in this type of history don't miss this one. Highly recommended.

This is the sad story of one of the most tragic events in circus history. The information given was amazing in scope. The author did a great job of telling about the fire itself as well as the aftermath. I liked the way he included the names and information about each of the victims and made the event a personal journey for the reader.

Michael Skidgell's book is a great introduction to a complicated event. He covers the basics with clear writing and in a chronological sequence. The bulk of the book contains mini-biographies of those who perished in the Hartford Circus Fire. While other books go much further in depth, this 141 page volume gives you the essentials. It is not going to "wow" you as there are a lot of facts, but it is a great starting point for research into this topic.

I enjoyed reading this book, even though it was very tragic. What began as a good time, unfortunately ended in death for many circus-goers on a fateful day in 1944. How some lived and some died,was merely by luck and by chance.

I thought this book had great detail, very well investigated and mentioned names I never heard in previous articles I’ve read about this tragedy. Best book I read during quarantine!

Mr. Skidgell apparently did a great deal of research for this book, for which he must be commended. However, he has a tortuous, roundabout, and indirect writing style that makes this book a difficult read. I liken it to going next door by walking all away around the block to get there. I got the impression that this was done intentionally to fill space, because if you cut out the chapter detailing the fate of each victim- which unfortunately becomes tedious- the whole book might have been cut by a skillful editor to a work about the length of a magazine article.

Was disappointed due that the book didnt list anything new that wasnt in the news paper

Looking forward to reading this.

Fabulous book well written well researched