“Outstanding… social history at its best.” –The New York Times Book Review “An amazing, long-forgotten tale. A riveting history written with flair and precision.”—Bob Woodward In one of the most honored books of the year, David Von Drehle transports us to a beautiful spring day in March 1911 when 146 workers—most of them young immigrant women—lost their lives. Employees had just begun preparing to leave the Triangle shirtwaist factory in New York’s Greenwich Village when a fire broke out and within minutes consumed the building’s upper three stories.It was the worst workplace disaster in New York City history until 9/11. “Animated by vigorous, descriptive prose, Triangle carries the reader deep into a portrait of early-twentieth-century New York . . . when colorful machine politicians battled socialists, suffragists and upright progressive reformers for the soul of an increasingly immigrant city.” —Chicago Tribune “Von Drehle’s spellbinding and detailed reconstruction of the disaster is complemented by an equally gripping account of the factory owners’ subsequent manslaughter trial (they got off scot-free), drawing on court records he helped unearth.” —The New York Times “Behind the fire lay the extraordinary history of sweatshop labor and the fledgling beginnings of union organizing. The heart of Von Drehle’s book is its detailed, nuanced, mesmerizing description of the fire. The descriptions . . .leave a reader staring into space.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review Praise for David Von Drehle's Triangle: New York Times Extended List Best Seller • New York Times Book Review Notable Book •Washington Post Book World Rave of the Year • New York Public Library Book of the Year • New York Society Library Book of the Year • Fresh Air Critic’s Top Book of 2003 • Hadassah Top Ten Jewish Best Seller • ALA Notable Book of the Year • Winner of the 2004 Christopher Award • Winner of the 2004 Sidney Hillman Foundation Award •Amazon Top 50 Books of the Year • San Jose Mercury News Best Book • Rocky Mountain News Best Book • Providence Journal Critic’s Choice Cover design by Marcia Salo and Charles Rue Woods Cover photograph courtesy of Culver Pictures Photo imaging by Michael Tedesco Grove Press books are distributed by Publishers Group West Reading Group Guide available online at www.groveatlantic.com PRINTED IN THE USA 0904
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"Good, short, well written account of the 1911 Triangle Waist fire in NYC. The account of the fire is pretty riveting, but the most interesting parts of the book for me were the accounts of tenement life on the Lower East Side, the rise of the workers' unions, and the ways on which he notoriously corrupt Tammany Hall machine survived by coopting progressive ideas. Great stuff." — Jeff (4 out of 5 stars)
"Good, short, well written account of the 1911 Triangle Waist fire in NYC. The account of the fire is pretty riveting, but the most interesting parts of the book for me were the accounts of tenement life on the Lower East Side, the rise of the workers' unions, and the ways on which he notoriously corrupt Tammany Hall machine survived by coopting progressive ideas. Great stuff."
" Gripping details on one of the worst tragedies in America. Unfortunately, not enough people know of the disaster and how it reformed working conditions. "
" Totally sad, but very good in a learn more about the Lower East Side kind of way. "
" Everyone who cares about politics in the US should read this book. It is the birth of or current alignment and a great story about a horrible event and how the aftermath change our culture. "
" This book is at its best when describing the organizing that preceded and followed the fire and also the transition of the Democrats of Tammany Hall from a corrupt machine to a force for economic and social justice. "
" Fascinating book about a terrible tragedy during a period of change in America. Author included historical background in a very interesting manner, bringing to life some of the poor girls who died that day. Good book. "
" I had never even heard of this fire before I saw something on the news about the 100 year anniversary. I really enjoyed reading about the events and situations that lead up to the actual fire, and then learning about all the changes brought about as a consequence of the terrible outcome. Sad true story that really made me appreciate the working conditions that we have today. "
" This was a sad piece of history. "
" After the recent fire in Bangladesh I wanted to get around to reading this book which I heard about years ago. The parallels are chilling. "
" This fascinating read is a reminder of why we need government regulation. Self-regulation was a myth in 1911 and 2012. "
" A really gripping historical account of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. Some historical accounts are bound to be dry. Not this one. A credit to the victims, survivors, and the social turmoil at that time. "
" Really, excellently written. But it's jsut not my cup of tea. "
" Non-fiction book about a fire that sparked the labor movement during the turn of the century. Well done, and another great read! "
" Not only the tragedy of the fire, but part of the history of labor in America. And why unions are SO important. "
" Such an interesting story, but so poorly written I couldn't finish it. "
" I created an entire lesson around the minute by minute details of the fire recounted in this book. The most harrowing is the countdown where the author explains how quickly the people involved ran out of options as each second passed. "
" Interesting read regarding one of the worse factory fires in America. Not only gives some history of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, but a recount of the fire and the trial that followed. "
" It's amazing how a single, tragic event can have such a ripple effect on history. "
" Having heard about this fire for years, now I finally got the complete info. Also interested in the developments of unions, Frances Perkins, Tammany Hall. "
" Not only does this text talk about the historical events of the Triangle fire and all its affects, but it gives great emotional testimonies of the time. Very readible and engaging, not dry. "
" A slow story that didn't have many new details or incite. Although it was a sad story, it didn't have that much heart. "
" A tragic story of the fire that kicked off the labor movement in this country "
" Compelling and ties the Triangle tragedy to the women's movement and New York politics. Fascinating, deeply-researched read. "
" von Drehle is one of my favorite Historians around today. "
" Reading group starts discussion April 20th. "
" Amazing book about how paranoid and petty owners cared only about themselves and not the safety of 146 teen workers in a sweatshop in NYC in 1911. David von Drehle writes a riveting history of the greatest tradegy of the 20th century. Great book..A must read for history buffs.. "
David von Drehle is the author of several books, including the award-winning Triangle, a history of the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire. An editor-at-large at Time magazine, he and his family live in Kansas City, Missouri.
Barrett Whitener has been narrating audiobooks since 1992. His recordings have won several awards, including the prestigious Audie Award and numerous Earphones Awards. AudioFile magazine has named him one of the Best Voices of the Century.
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