Description Chicago 1871 is an action-packed thriller from the eyes of the Chicago firefighters who fought against all odds to change the course of history. Based on actual events of September and October 1871, this story mixes the future with the past to land a powerful punch. Reviews "'What if I told you something was gonna happen in a few days, and I know it because I’m from 147 years in the future?'" John Kirk is a California firefighter who travels back in time after battling a blaze that goes dangerously awry. History comes alive before him as he begins working for the Chicago Fire Department armed with the knowledge of the future and with the certainty of the impending Great Chicago Fire. Kirk immerses himself completely in his new life but feels compelled to share what he knows about the future despite the disbelief he faces whenever he reveals a shocking detail from 2018. The tension escalates as the days move closer and closer to the historic fire of 1871, and Kirk must decide how much of the future he is willing to alter. Merl has written a wholly original story with dramatic firefighting scenes rich with descriptive and emotional details. The author brilliantly captures the conflict that erupts when Kirk’s forward-thinking ideas from the future encounter the past. Views on race are explored as well as thought-provoking insights about progress, invention, and technology. Merl’s historical detail is impeccable, and he endows every scene with vivid authenticity. The firefighting equipment, city streets, and societal norms and values are portrayed as links to the future. The story expertly reveals how the past influences the future, especially with the evolution of fire safety and equipment as well as deeper elements like ancestry and family heritage. At the heart of this sci-fi-infused historical thriller is a timeless tale of a heroic brotherhood and the power of family connection through the centuries. Merl jolts the reader from a traditional happy ending when Kirk is suddenly transported back to 2018. But with progress and invention always on the horizon, physics and quantum theory ultimately deliver a satisfying happily-ever-after feel. — U.S. Review of Books “Brimming with excitement and featuring compelling history, James E. Merl’s Chicago 1871 is a tour-de-force of fiction writing that combines time travel with an intriguing premise.” — Pacific Book Reviews “This is so much more than science fiction. It's also a drama; it's a book about people and their lives. This is a book about the life of John Kirk and how he learns to fit in in 1871. This is a book about the people he meets - his fellow firefighters, there's even romance thrown in for good measure. The characters are so well drawn that you will swear you know them. You'll be sad that you are no longer part of their lives when the book ends. I give this story 4 out of 4 stars. “— OnLineBookClub Review What people are saying “I finished your book last night and I want to tell you how much I enjoyed the read and how nicely you portrayed Nicholas DuBach (my Great Grandfather) and all those Chicago firefighters. My Dad, Nicholas’ grandson, told me many stories about what he knew of Nicholas’ history. Now you have put all those Nicholas memories into your book. You portrayed him just as I remember my dad telling me. And how brave the Chicago firefighters were battling that horrific fire.” —Jim DuBach About the Author James spent sixteen years as a firefighter/medic in California before suffering a career-ending injury. As a firefighter, he moved through the ranks of engineer, captain, and training officer. After leaving the department, James moved his family to Northeastern Washington state. “I’ve always liked telling stories from as far back as I can remember. My influences are Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock, and Pen Densham. There's nothing more exciting than creating characters, places, and taking the reader to a whole new world.