Rating: 
Summary: Compelling and Tragic Story
Review: This book was well worth reading as much for the sad and tragic story as for remembering the more things change, the more they stay the same. Edward O'Donnell does a great job of conveying the story in moving and personal terms. One can't help but but care deeply for the loss of the community and families. As others have noted, this is a book that can't be put down. I read it in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: Could Not Put it down...
Review: This is a wonderfully written book which reads like some of the best novels I have read. The chapters are short and the book never drags. After I finished each chapter, I had to go on and read "just one more". The book should be compared to "A Night to Remember" by Lord and hopefully it will be read for years to come. The author does a spectacular job of giving you the background of the people involved, their culture, and their hopes and dreams. I felt so deeply for the people involved and felt the author did a remarkable job on telling this story. Don't miss this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Tragedy of Lost Life and Memory
Review: I found this book quite compelling, and tore through it in one sitting. O'Donnell brings to life a whole era, and keeps things moving along to their tragic conclusion. That tragedy is twofold: First, the 1,021 human beings (mostly women and children) who, due to avarice, neglect and stupidity, lost their lives in what was (prior to 9/11/01) the worst single-event disaster in New York City. The second tragedy -- also an all-too-human one -- is that this horrible disaster has, for the most part, been forgotten. With the 100th anniversary of the "General Slocum" disaster upon us shortly, while the horror of 9/11 begins to recede ever so gradually, this book is timely and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Living Local History
Review: Dr. O'Donnell ahs a knack for writing and conveying both the
history and the story of this tragedy. The lives and impressions
of the people who suffered this tragedy are brought alive in his
writing. The facts and events are clearly interwoven which makes the story of the General Slocum three dimensional.
"Ship Ablaze" also details the New York City German community of KleinDetuschland. The reader is given a very clear picture of this close knit community, and what happened to it after the disaster. This book is a valuable resource for descendants of those who boarded the General Slocum, those interested in New York City's (or urban)or maritime history.
The scholarship and clarity of the events are told very well. So much so, that I added "Ship Ablaze!" to my American History class's reading list. Daniel Padovano, Adjunct Professor of History, Pace University.
Rating:
Summary: Ship Ablaze
Review: As a child my mother told me about the tragedy of the General Slocum. We even went to Lutheran Cemetery to see the memorial. I was elated to see that someone wrote a book about it. I was excited to read the book and finally get the true story. It is part of New York City history and worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: A reader of Ship Ablaze
Review: Edward T. O'Donnel has written a stunning book that captures your heart in a way 9/11 did. he paralells 9/11 and the Slocum tragedy with astonishing writing skill. This books is the best book i have read in years, with it's in depth accounts of the victims and what happened on that fateful day. The General Slocum was a forgotten tragedy that O'Donnell has brought back to life in this epic novel. You simply cannot put this book down after you've started reading it. This is a non-fiction book with many fact woven in by O'Donnell, so that when your done, you come out knowing a lot more about New York city and its people. It is a truly amazing book.
Rating:
Summary: Forgotten Incident Remembered
Review: I recently finished reading SHIP ABLAZE by Edward O'Donnell.
Prior to reading the book, I knew next to nothing about the
tragedy of the "General Slocum." I had heard of it, but knew
nothing of the details. This book grabbed me from the first
page. I really like human interest stories, and this book fills
the bill. It details the background of the tragedy, the
event itself, and the aftermath, which includes one of the worst
aspects of the tragedy...which I won't reveal. The burning and
sinking of the "General Slocum" was the greatest loss of
civilian life suffered by the city of New York until
September 11, 2001. Yet this incident is all but forgotten by
a few historians and maritime specialists. It should not be
forgotten, and Professor O'Donnell does a commendable job of
bringing the incident and its attendant emotions to life. It
is a very good and interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: absorbing story well told
Review: Edward O'Donnell's recounting of the story of the destruction of the Steamship General Slocum June 15, 1904 is well-written and engrossing. That event was the greatest tragedy in New York's history until 9/11. The author tells of the horrors of that day and the heroism of the rescuers. We are also told of the aftermath. Although the author is a scholar, the writing vividly describes the events connected with this tragedy. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Ship Ablaze-A Spellbinding Drama
Review: Ship Ablaze is the riveting true story of a relatively unknown steamship fire that claimed the lives of over 1,000 New Yorkers at the turn of the century. A highly readable "page turner" that exposes the lack of proper safety precautions and equipment combined with management greed that led to the tragic fire. The book provides a vivid, historically accurate insight into the lives of the many people and families changed forever by the event. Heroic acts by many who rescued the survivors are also described and striking parallels with 9/11 are presented.
Rating:
Summary: A Horrible Disaster
Review: I have known about the General Slocum disaster for years because I am an amateur student of New York City history, but I did not know until I read this book the horrible and heart-rending details--the huge number of deaths, most of them women and children, and the stupidity and greed that caused them.
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