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Book Review of San Francisco Is Burning: The Untold Story of the 1906 Earthquake and Fires

San Francisco Is Burning: The Untold Story of the 1906 Earthquake and Fires
reviewed on + 1775 more book reviews


Well written, some well chosen photos, but this is not a scholarly treatment, although unusual facts are offered. I had forgotten that with the telegraph lines down to Oakland and points east, that they employed the circuitous route offered by the Pacific cable to Hawaii, Japan, Russia, Europe, and then to D.C.
The author uses his background in fire science well in the descriptions of the equipment that was employed.
The story of the Abe Rueff's corruption is told in sufficient detail, along with the efforts of the reform element.
Given that all anyone had was fire insurance, claims were not made for earthquake damage. The information on the claims paid is interesting.