TO SLEEP WITH THE ANGELS: THE STORY OF A FIRE
by David Cowan and John Kuenster
Reviewed by CDR Joseph J. Leonard, Jr., CDR, USCG (ret.)
To Sleep with the Angels: The Story of a Fire is a haunting and meticulously researched
account of one of America’s deadliest school fires. The tragedy at Our Lady of the
Angels Catholic School in Chicago on 1 December 1958, claimed the lives of 92
children and three nuns, leaving a neighborhood forever scarred by grief and
unanswered questions. Having gone to a very similar parochial elementary school in
The Bronx, this book is not an easy read—it confronts the reader with raw, unfiltered
emotions, and I often found myself stepping away after 10 to 15 pages, overwhelmed by
the weight of the tragedy. The authors, driven by decades of dedication to
understanding this disaster, weave together a narrative that is both heartbreaking and
gripping. Through the voices of survivors, parents, teachers, and first responders, they
vividly recreate the fateful day, plunging readers into the chaos and despair that
engulfed the school. The fear and panic of children trapped in classrooms, the bravery
of teachers and firefighters who risked everything, and the devastation felt by a tight-
knit, working-class community are conveyed with unflinching honesty.
At its core, this is a story of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. The
courage of those who fought to save lives and the resilience of families struggling to
rebuild after unimaginable loss are juxtaposed against systemic failures that made the
fire so catastrophic. The building’s lack of modern fire safety measures, including
alarms, sprinklers, and adequate escape routes, stands as a chilling reminder of the
cost of complacency. This incident set in motion many of the fire safety measures we
have in today’s schools.
What makes To Sleep with the Angels even more compelling is its exploration of the
lingering mystery surrounding the fire’s origin. Despite strong evidence pointing to arson
by a troubled student, the cause was never officially confirmed. The authors delve into
the shadowy aftermath, marked by allegations of a cover-up by the Catholic Church and
city officials. This element of unresolved tension adds a layer of complexity to the
narrative, elevating it from a straightforward recounting of events to a powerful
investigative work. Beyond its emotional and historical impact, the fire at Our Lady of
the Angels was a watershed moment for fire safety in American schools. The tragedy
spurred sweeping reforms, including stricter building codes and fire drill protocols, likely
saving countless lives in the decades since. However, for the families and community,
these changes came too late, leaving behind a legacy of grief and unanswered
questions.
YLD Key Leadership Takeaway: Effective leadership demands vigilance and a
proactive approach to addressing risks before they become disasters. Complacency in
safety standards, no matter how small, can lead to irreversible consequences. Leaders
must prioritize accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement to protect
those they serve.
ISBN: 13: 9781566632171