Sep 17, 2004
Elizabeth A. Jozwiak: Review of David Von Drehle's, Triangle: The Fire That Changed America (Atlantic Monthly)
Excerpted from H-USA (July 2004)
"Fire!
In this highly readable and through account, author David Von Drehle not only tells the story of the Triangle fire itself, but also provides the stories of the people and politics of the era….Many New Yorkers were appalled that the existing regulations were so pitiful that a company could comply with them and still have such a disastrous fire. The Triangle fire was not the only factory fire in this era. What made this one different –besides the great loss of life—was that in this case Tammany Hall politicians rather unexpectedly decided to take on the cause of reform…In all, Von Drehle shows the pivotal role of the Triangle fire in New York politics [and Al Smith, Robert Wagner and Frances Perkins, in particular] and how the resulting legislation became a ‘new model for worker safety.’”
"Fire!
In this highly readable and through account, author David Von Drehle not only tells the story of the Triangle fire itself, but also provides the stories of the people and politics of the era….Many New Yorkers were appalled that the existing regulations were so pitiful that a company could comply with them and still have such a disastrous fire. The Triangle fire was not the only factory fire in this era. What made this one different –besides the great loss of life—was that in this case Tammany Hall politicians rather unexpectedly decided to take on the cause of reform…In all, Von Drehle shows the pivotal role of the Triangle fire in New York politics [and Al Smith, Robert Wagner and Frances Perkins, in particular] and how the resulting legislation became a ‘new model for worker safety.’”