x dismiss this message
Did you know you can edit this page?
-
Sign Into Shelfari
-
Choose something to edit
-
Save your contributions
see page history
Description edit
The acclaimed author of A Prayer for the Dying brings all his narrative gifts to bear on this gripping account of tragedy and heroism-the great Hartford circus fire of 1944. Halfway through a midsummer afternoon performance, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus's big top caught fire.... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
People edit
- Little Miss 1565: Named for the number on her death certificate, an unidentified child who has become the face of the fire.
- Patty Murphy: A child who sustained severe injuries in the circus fire; ultimately survived.
- Emmett Kelly: A famous circus clown who was present at the fire.
- Charles Nelson Reilly: Actor and comedian; grew up in Hartford. Was at the cirucs the day of the fire (age 11). After that, would never sit in an audience again.
- Thomas Barber: Police investigator who worked tirelessly to learn the identity of unidentified victims, especially Little Miss 1565.
- Robert Dale Segee: A prime suspect in the arson case. He confessed to setting the fire, then retracted his confession. Mentally ill. He was never tried or convicted.
- Commissioner Hickey: Add a description of this character.
- James Haley
- Donald Gale
- Davey
- Kovar
- Mildred Cook
- Lowe
- Don Cook
- Elliott Smith
- Edward Rogin
- Leonard Aylesworth
- Raymond Erickson
- Mayor Mortensen
- Whelan
- Dr. Weissenborn
- Blanchfield
- Barbara
- Emily Gill
- Mcgovern
- Marion
- Jerry Levasseur
- Versteeg
- Merle Evans
- John Stewart
- George W. Smith
- Baldwin
- Fred Bradna
- Tuohy
- Adler
- Callan
- Eleanor
- Mary Kay Smith
- Mabel Epps
- Joan
Setting & Locations edit
- Hartford Hospital
- Barbour Street
- Municipal Hospital
- Portland
- Connecticut
- Sarasota
- New York
- Providence
- Middletown
- Ohio
- Cleveland
- Goodrow
- Maine
- East Hartford
- Plainville
- St. Francis
- Northwood
- Bristol
- Columbus
- New Britain
- West Hartford
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Alcorn
- Southampton
- Charlotte
- Massachusetts
- Boston
- Madison Square Garden
- Hallissey
- Akron
- John Ringling North
- Pittsburgh
- Florida
- Waterbury
- America
- Wallendas
- Washington
- Newington
- Wethersfield
- Windsor Street
- Springfield
- Nashville
- Sponzo
- Illinois
- Baltimore
First Sentence edit
They played by the lake, their tops guyed out on the lot by Municipal Stadium.
Table of Contents edit
I. Cleveland, 1942
II. July 4, 1944
1. Priincipals
III. July 5, 1944
IV. July 6, 1944
1. Circus Day
2. Showtime
3. The Point of Origin
4. Our Boys in Uniform
5. Blue Sky
6. Animal Acts
7. The Bravest Girl I've Ever Seen
8. This Ain't No Time to Faint, Lady
9. Don't Look Back
10. The Stars and Stripes Froever
11. Ten More Bars!
12. Death by Fire
13. Alive, Alive, Alive
14. Have You Seen Him?
15. Bringing Out the Dead
16. Triage
17. Unexpected Guests
18. Extra, Extra
19. We Can't Reach You, Hartford
20. A G.I. Party
21. The Names of the Dead
22. Bad Face
23. Evidence
24. In the Evening, Sun is Going Down
25. Go to Sleep
26. Bad News
27. Were You in Cleveland?
28. All Through the Night
29. And on Till Morning
V. July 7, 1944
VI. July 8, 1944
VIII. July 9, 1944
IX. July 10, 1944
X. July 11-July 15, 1944
XI. July 15-July 31, 1944
XII. August-December, 1944
XIII. 1945
XIV. 1946-1950
XV. 1950
XVI. 1950-1990
XVII. 1990-1991
XVIII. 1991-1999
Acknowledgments
Authors & Contributors edit
- Stewart O'Nan (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2000
ISBN: 0385496842
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2000
ISBN: 0385496842
Page Count: 384
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 974.63
Subjects edit
- Books › History › Americas › United States › State & Local › Connecticut
- Books › Arts & Photography › Performing Arts › Theater › Circus
- Books › History › World
Popular Tags
More Books Like This edit
We’re hiding the errata, movie connections, books that influenced this book, books influenced by this book, books that cite this book and books cited by this book sections. If you would like to add content to them, you must first make them visible.
