Young Men and Fire: Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition - A Harrowing Recount of the Mann Gulch Fire Disaster

Young Men and Fire: Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition

by Norman MacLean

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13468 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	332 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire is a gripping and unforgettable account of the Mann Gulch fire disaster of August 1949. In this harrowing narrative, Maclean recounts the events that led to the tragic deaths of 13 young smokejumpers on a remote Montana hillside.

Based on extensive research and interviews with survivors, Maclean's book provides a vivid and intimate portrayal of the smokejumpers' experience. He delves into the physical and emotional toll of fighting a wildfire, the camaraderie that binds firefighters together, and the heartbreaking losses that can occur in the line of duty.

The Mann Gulch Fire

On August 5, 1949, a lightning strike ignited a wildfire in the remote Mann Gulch of Montana's Bitterroot Mountains. The blaze quickly spread, fanned by strong winds and dry vegetation.

A team of 16 smokejumpers was dispatched to fight the fire. These young men, mostly in their early twenties, were highly trained and experienced in wildfire firefighting. However, they were unprepared for the extreme conditions they would encounter in Mann Gulch.

As the fire raged, the smokejumpers found themselves trapped on a narrow ridge with the flames closing in on all sides. They fought valiantly, using their hand tools and water backpacks to extinguish the blaze. But the fire was too intense, and one by one, the smokejumpers began to fall.

The Tragedy

In the end, 13 of the 16 smokejumpers lost their lives in the Mann Gulch fire. They were killed by smoke inhalation, burns, or falling debris. Their bodies were later found scattered across the hillside.

The Mann Gulch fire was one of the deadliest wildfire disasters in American history. It exposed the dangers that firefighters face and the sacrifices they are willing to make in order to protect their communities.

Young Men and Fire

Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire is a powerful tribute to the smokejumpers who died in the Mann Gulch fire. It is a story of courage, tragedy, and the unbreakable bond between firefighters.

First published in 1992, Young Men and Fire has become a classic work of non-fiction. It has been praised for its vivid writing, its insights into human nature, and its enduring relevance.

The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition of Young Men and Fire includes a new by author John McPhee and a foreword by Maclean's daughter, Jeannette Maclean Turner. This edition also features never-before-seen photographs and maps that provide a deeper understanding of the events of Mann Gulch.

Young Men and Fire is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of firefighting, the American West, or the human experience. It is a harrowing and heartbreaking story, but it is also a story of hope and resilience.

The smokejumpers who died in the Mann Gulch fire were young men who had their whole lives ahead of them. They were brave and selfless, and they made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their story deserves to be remembered and honored.

Young Men and Fire: Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition

by Norman MacLean

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13468 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	332 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE