A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyville's Engine 78

This was a well written book about a historic engine company of the Chicago Fire Department. The author's father was a member of that company during his career with the CFD. There are quite a few accounts of the fires and other incidents the firemen of Engine 78 responded to in that time frame. Not all the incidents are major but all were very interesting and detailed. Having read a large number of firematic books over the years , it compares very favorably to most if not all first efforts. Although Ms. Kruse was not a member of the fire service herself , she was able to convey the facts in a manner that both a novice and a veteran of fire departments could easily follow.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, all Americans developed an appreciation for true American heroes---fire fighters. Long before that day, Karen Kruse knew the character of fire fighters and what it takes to join their ranks. In her book "A Chicago Firehouse," she tells of the hearts and souls of all fire fighters. Yes, it's the tale of one firehouse, but that firehouse captures the spirit of firehouses across America and throughout our history. As Karen presents fire fighting, she defines familiar words and terms we thought we knew. The book is highlighted with dazzling photography from aged newspapers and Karen's own camera. Her unique perspective of growing up in a fire fighting family brings a loving touch to a moving story. Here's a tribute every fire fighter would love to own.

I loved reading what to me was a love story from a proud daughter to her fireman father. The information that is packed into this small book knows no boundaries and Karen has made the stories come alive with her knowledge and her ability to put these words on paper. The reader is put in the midst of some of Chicago's worst fires through the use of pictures and words. To anyone who grew up in the Wrigleyville area, this book is priceless.