SKU: 96804195525

Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago

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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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SKU: 96804195525

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QueenDENISE
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Warm Color, Cozy Feel & Complete Bedding Set
Color: Burnt Orange, Size: Queen, Color: Burnt Orange, Size: Queen
This comforter set is a great way to refresh a bedroom with both style and comfort. The burnt orange color adds a warm, inviting look that really stands out without being overwhelming. Design: The pre-washed crinkled texture gives it a relaxed, modern feel that looks effortlessly styled. Comfort: Soft and cozy, making it comfortable for year-round use. Set Value: The 7-piece set includes everything needed for a complete, coordinated bed setup. Fit: Fits a queen bed nicely and looks full and well-dressed. The color pairs well with neutrals and adds a rich, cozy vibe to the space. Overall, this is a stylish, comfortable bedding set that offers great value and instantly upgrades your room.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 3
Standard Comforter. Thin Scratchy Sheets
Color: Dark Green, Size: Queen
This is an ok set for the price. I’m mostly using the comforter for a guest room. It’s a light-medium thickness. The color and size are true to description. The sheets that come with the set are very thin and not as soft as the comforter.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
C
Customer Review
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 4
Comforter is nice, sheets are alright. Color is true!
Color: Burnt Orange, Size: Queen
This is a decent comforter set. The actual comforter isn’t too heavy, and would be perfect spring through fall in the Midwest. It’s a true queen size fit and the burnt orange color looks as it does in the photos. I ordered these before it mentioned they’re polyester. They definitely don’t feel as breathable as cotton sheets but as far polyester goes, they feel soft. The sheets wrinkle easily but the comforter feels durable. If you’re looking for an affordable sheet set and you’re cool with polyester, this is a good option. Also of note is that 2 of the pillow cases have a little extra fabric on the outer rim to look more “decorative.”
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
V
Vmazon
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable and Attractive Bedding Set That Offers Great Value
Color: Pink, Size: Queen
This queen bedding set is a nice combination of comfort and style. The pink color looks beautiful, and the textured comforter gives the bed a cozy, modern appearance. The sheets feel soft and comfortable, while the comforter is lightweight yet provides enough warmth for a restful night’s sleep. I appreciate that the set includes everything needed for a complete bedding setup, making it a convenient option. It’s also easy to care for and holds its appearance well after washing. While it may not have the feel of a premium luxury set, for the price it’s not bad at all and offers solid value. Overall, it’s a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and attractive bedding set.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026
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JLN
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Lightweight, very smooth and comfortable comforter sheet set an a very attractive price
Color: Ivory, Size: Queen, Color: Ivory, Size: Queen
Such a well priced, attractive bed in a bag (comforter and sheet set) with the most lightweight comforter I have ever come across that is not a down comforter. This one is filled with 100% polyester with a 100% microfiber exterior. The sheets are called microfiber, which I am sometimes not a fan of as sometimes they feel too stretchy and hot. However, these feel good, and almost more like a smooth percale. It’s nice to the touch. Color is attractive in a clean ivory color. Going back to the comforter, I love the lightness of natural down, but somehow I have developed a sensitivity to the feathers which make me sneeze. This one can easily be thrown into the washer and dryer and feels equivalently light as my down comforters. It weighs in at slightly over a pound (though I could only carry it onto the scale) and I absolutely love the lightness of it. I did wash it in the washer and dried it in a dryer on normal heat. Came out with no wrinkles and very fluffy. Five stars!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026

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