Try free for 30 days

  • The Peshtigo Fire of 1871

  • A Captivating Guide to the Deadliest Wildfire in the History of the United States of America That Occurred in Northeastern Wisconsin
  • By: Captivating History
  • Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
  • Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Peshtigo Fire of 1871 cover art

The Peshtigo Fire of 1871

By: Captivating History
Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.99

Buy Now for $16.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

If you want to discover the history of the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, then pay attention...

It’s likely true that most people picking up this book have never even heard of a place called Peshtigo. This is hardly surprising. This little town on the shores of Lake Michigan is hardly a remarkable place in the modern day. Its residents number less than 4,000, and there’s nothing particularly special about it at first glance.

But one does have to look twice at its motto. “A city rebuilt from the ashes.” Peshtigo may be just another small Wisconsin town today, but 150 years ago, it really was nothing but ashes. This town was one of the hardest hit in the deadliest wildfire event in American history - and no, I’m not talking about the Great Chicago Fire, even though it also occurred on the very same night.

The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 claimed four times as many lives as the fire in Chicago, yet this cruel twist of fate has left it almost unheard of, while the (untrue) tale of Catherine O’Leary’s cow continues to echo through the centuries with unabated vigor. 

The story of the Great Peshtigo Fire has not been told nearly often enough, yet it is a story that will captivate every listener. Parts of it seem to border on science fiction: trees exploding in the heat of the fire, a tornado made of flames sweeping through an entire town in a single hour, birds caught up and burned in mid-air. Yet, all of it is true, and so are the stories of the people who witnessed the fire first-hand and survived it. 

So if you want to learn more about the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

©2020 Captivating History (P)2020 Captivating History
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Peshtigo Fire of 1871

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.