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Description
Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in ChicagoOn Thursday, July 13, 1995, Chicagoans awoke to a blistering day in which the temperature would reach 106 degrees. The heat index, which measures how the temperature actually feels on the body, would hit 126 degrees by the time the day was over. Meteorologists had been warning residents about a two day heat wave, but these temperatures did not end that soon. When the heat wave broke a week later, city streets had buckled; the records for electrical
On Thursday, July 13, 1995, Chicagoans awoke to a blistering day in which the temperature would reach 106 degrees. The heat index, which measures how the temperature actually feels on the body, would hit 126 degrees by the time the day was over. Meteorologists had been warning residents about a two-day heat wave, but these temperatures did not end that soon. When the heat wave broke a week later, city streets had buckled; the records for electrical use were shattered; and power grids had failed, leaving residents without electricity for up to two days. And by July 20, over seven hundred people had perished-more than twice the number that died in the Chicago Fire of 1871, twenty times the number of those struck by Hurricane Andrew in 1992--in the great Chicago heat wave, one of the deadliest in American history. Heat waves in the United States kill more people during a typical year than all other natural disasters combined. Until now, no one could explain either the overwhelming number or the heartbreaking manner of the deaths resulting from the 1995 Chicago heat wave. Meteorologists and medical scientists have been unable to account for the scale of the trauma, and political officials have puzzled over the sources of the city's vulnerability. In Heat Wave, Eric Klinenberg takes us inside the anatomy of the metropolis to conduct what he calls a social autopsy, examining the social, political, and institutional organs of the city that made this urban disaster so much worse than it ought to have been. Starting with the question of why so many people died at home alone, Klinenberg investigates why some neighborhoods experienced greater mortality than others, how the city government responded to the crisis, and how journalists, scientists, and public officials reported on and explained these events. Through a combination of years of fieldwork, extensive interviews, and archival research, Klinenberg uncovers how a number of surprising and unsettling forms of social breakdown--including the literal and social isolation of seniors, the institutional abandonment of poor neighborhoods, and the retrenchment of public assistance programs--contributed to the high fatality rates. The human catastrophe, he argues, cannot simply be blamed on the failures of any particular individuals or organizations. For when hundreds of people die behind locked doors and sealed windows, out of contact with friends, family, community groups, and public agencies, everyone is implicated in their demise. As Klinenberg demonstrates in this incisive and gripping account of the contemporary urban condition, the widening cracks in the social foundations of American cities that the 1995 Chicago heat wave made visible have by no means subsided as the temperatures returned to normal. The forces that affected Chicago so disastrously remain in play in America's cities, and we ignore them at our peril. For the Second Edition Klinenberg has added a new Preface showing how climate change has made extreme weather events in urban centers a major challenge for cities and nations across our planet, one that will require commitment to climate-proofing changes to infrastructure rather than just relief responses.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 05/06/2015
ISBN: 9780226276182
Pages: 328
Weight: 1.06lbs
Size: 8.94h x 6.13w x 0.85d
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Really nice shelves well-made
Size: 30 Inch, Color: Walnut, Size: 30 Inch, Color: Walnut
I recently installed a set of floating wooden shelves above my kitchen sink, and they have completely transformed the space. The natural wood grain adds warmth and character, making my kitchen feel more open and inviting. The shelves are sturdy and well-made, supporting everything from dishware to small plants and decorative items without any sagging.
Installation was straightforward, with the included hardware making it easy to mount them securely. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they hold weight while maintaining a sleek, minimalistic look. The floating design gives a clean, uncluttered aesthetic, which is exactly what I was looking for.
Functionally, they’ve made a huge difference. I can now keep everyday essentials like mugs and spices within easy reach while freeing up valuable counter space. They’re also a great alternative to upper cabinets, preventing the area above my sink from feeling closed in.
Overall, these floating wooden shelves are both practical and stylish. Whether you’re looking to add storage or just enhance your kitchen’s design, they’re a fantastic option. I highly recommend them for anyone wanting a simple yet impactful upgrade to their space!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2025
★★★★★ 3
Look nice, not sturdy or supportive
Size: 17 Inch, Color: Dark Blue
The color and thickness of the shelf is great. Very easy to install. But the wall mount portion is cheaply made and doesn’t support the shelf as well as it should. Once mounted the shelf leans forward and isn’t sturdy. After mounting, I found my items had slid off end up on the floor.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2026
★★★★★ 5
The color is beautiful
Size: 17 Inch, Color: Dark Blue
These are beautiful! I bought them for my Grandsons Baseball room. We haven’t put them up yet. They will be a great addition to his red, white, and blue baseball room!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Beautiful, sturdy shelves — perfect for any room!
Size: 15.6 inch, Color: White, Size: 15.6 inch, Color: White
These 16-inch solid wood floating shelves exceeded my expectations. The quality of the wood is excellent — thick, smooth, and very sturdy. They were easy to install, and all the hardware was included. Once mounted, they feel secure and can hold a good amount of weight without sagging.
I love how they add a clean, modern touch to the room. I’ve used them to display small framed photos, books, and decor items in my living room, and they look fantastic. The small ledge is a nice feature too — it keeps things from sliding off easily.
Great for any space — bedroom, kitchen, hallway — and they’re both functional and stylish. Highly recommended!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Perfect shelf
Size: 15.6 inch, Color: White
They look as pictured. The white is nice. These are sturdy and easy to hang. I was worried because I have not had luck with hanging shelves in the past but these were great. Would definitely recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026