Fighting the Flames by R. M. Ballantyne

"Fighting the Flames" by R. M. Ballantyne is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story provides an engaging glimpse into the daily operations of the British Fire Brigade before the advent of modern technology, illustrating how firefighters operated horse-drawn engines and communicated without telephones. The narrative centers around key characters like Mr. James Auberly, a wealthy but stern man, and a young boy named Willie Willders, who yearns to understand more about the heroism displayed by firefighters. The opening of the novel introduces several characters and sets the stage for the impending disaster, a fire at Auberly's home, while highlighting the comforts of his household amidst the chilly November night. Auberly's home life is presented alongside Willie Willders, who gets caught up in the excitement of following the fire engine to the blaze. As the narrative unfolds, it portrays the frantic yet brave efforts of the fire brigade, managed by figures like the Chief Superintendent, Mr. Braidwood, and introduces the scenes of danger and heroism that define firefighting in that era. This blend of personal stories and broader themes of bravery provides readers with both an engaging plot and insights into the historical workings of fire rescue services. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael), 1825-1894
Title Fighting the Flames
Credits Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Reading Level Reading ease score: 74.6 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PZ: Language and Literatures: Juvenile belles lettres
Subject Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
Subject Fire fighters -- Juvenile fiction
Subject London Fire Brigade -- Juvenile fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 23380
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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