Book cover of Chicago's Great Fire: The Destruction and Resurrection of an Iconic American City

Book description

From an acclaimed historian, the full and authoritative story of one of the most iconic disasters in American history, told through the vivid memories of those who experienced it

Between October 8-10, 1871, much of the city of Chicago was destroyed by one of the most legendary urban fires in…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Chicago's Great Fire as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

What makes this book so special is not only its exciting and scrupulous account of the great fire and the people who lived through it, but its deep and surprising account of the ways that the city grew into and out of the fire. I found a new Chicago here.

Beneath the familiar myths and landmarks, another history smolders: a boom town born from the ashes.

If you love Chicago's Great Fire...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like Chicago's Great Fire?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 61 books like Chicago's Great Fire.

Browse books like Chicago's Great Fire

Book cover of Living Landmarks of Chicago
Book cover of Run, Come See Jerusalem!
Book cover of The Apocalypse Gene

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,343

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Chicago's Great Fire, you might also like...

Book cover of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman

Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman by Alexis Krasilovsky,

Kate from Jules et Jim meets I Love Dick.

A young woman filmmaker’s journey of self-discovery, set against a backdrop of the sexual liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s. In Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman, we follow Ana Fried as she faces the ultimate…

Book cover of Malcolm Before X

Malcolm Before X by Patrick Parr,

Malcolm Before X is about finding a way to continue moving forward after everything has been taken from you. While in prison, Malcolm Little discovered the power of reading and found a way to transform his character and become a better man. This half-biography focuses on that transformation, especially his…

5 book lists we think you will like!