It's been said that it takes a tragedy to spur safety regulations. The Hartford circus fire is proof of just that. Prior to this fire, circus tents were waterproofed with gasoline and paraffin. Today, any circus that comes to Hartford plays in the civic center. O'Nan relates the tragedy that made the circus safer for future generations tastefully and respectfully, using eyewitness accounts and newpaper stories. For area residents, the story is brought home with plenty of familiar names, places and stories. He covers the investigation of Little Miss 1565, the unburned and yet strangely unclaimed victim, with particular detail and casts doubt on her identification ten years ago. Anyone will find it difficult to sit inside a circus tent after reading this book, despite the knowledge that exits are clearly marked and the tent is not flamable.