Arundel Burning: The Maryland Oyster Roast Fire of 1956

by Joseph B. Ross Jr. and Joseph Ross

A few minutes past five o'clock on the drizzly Sunday evening of January 29, 1956, more than 1,200 men and women were preparing to return home following an oyster roast sponsored by the church many... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0963515977
• ISBN13: 9780963515971
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Publishing Concepts (Baltimore, MD)
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

A unique and focused regional history

A fire is as dramatic and it is unexpected -- and often lethal. Such was the case of a fire in the small Maryland town of Brooklyn when it erupted during a church fund-raising event on the night of Sunday, January 29, 1956, critically endangering some 1200 people in a large hall. "Arundel Burning: The Maryland Oyster Roast Fire of 1956" is the detailed and riveting story of that blaze in which author Joseph B. Robb Jr. painstakingly reconstructs the origin of the fire and the events that were to lead to one of Maryland's worst first disasters in state history. "Arundel Burning: The Maryland Oyster Roast Fire of 1956" is also the story of courage and how ordinary citizens, becoming aware of the blaze, began to deal with it in the absence of the fire department. "Arundel Burning: The Maryland Oyster Roast Fire of 1956" is a unique and focused regional history and a highly recommended addition to community library regional American History collections.

Great gift for all current and former firefighters and their families

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my father who was once a firefighter. Although he didn't work in Maryland, this book resonates with challenges that all firefighters face. He thoroughly enjoyed this book, and my mom also enjoyed reading it.

Somber, gutwrenching, tragic and TRUE !

I received ARUNDEL BURNING as a gift. The story takes place in my hometown so the book had local interest for me. Even though the places, events, and some characters were familiar to me, this book will be enjoyed by everyone who have never even heard of Brooklyn Park. Mr. Ross tells a story of tragic proportions in an objective yet compassionate tone. The book took me back to a time when life was uncomplicated, when kids played outdoors all day, when police commanded respect, when our citizens openly displayed civic pride. In short, it's a great story about anytown USA - back in the day. Get it, read it, and pass it on.

Phenomenal Book!

My husband and I purchased multiple copies of this book and gave them out as Christmas Gifts and kept one for ourselves. My Dad volunteered at the FD around the same time, and knew several of the people mentioned in the book. He loved it! We also gave a copy to a Southern MD Firefighter and he read it in a weekend and said that he couldn't put it down! My brother-in-law was fascinated with the story as well...