Incorporated as a city in 1837, Chicago had grown at a breathtaking pace in barely three decades, from just over 4,000 in 1840 to greater than 330,000 at the time of the fire. Built hastily, the city was largely made of wood. Once it began the fire quickly grew out of control, twice jumping branches of the Chicago River on its relentless northeastward path through the city's three divisions. Between October 8-10, 1871 close to one of every three Chicago residents was left homeless and more were instantly unemployed, though the death toll was miraculously low. Smith chronicles the city's rapid growth, the fire, and the way Chicago rose back up from the ashes thanks to local determination and the world's generosity and faith in Chicago's future. -- adapted from jacket.