Chosen as a CRITICS CHOICE by the CHICAGO READER

The Day began like many other carefree summer Saturdays. Over 2,000 Western Electric employees and their families, dressed in their finest, arrived early at the riverfront to board the Eastland, a bold and breathtaking steamship. That morning the boat was scheduled to ferry its passengers to the annual company picnic in Michigan City. Suddenly, as it sat in port, the Eastland began to list. While thousands of people watched in horror, the ship rolled to its side and silently capsized, killing a staggering 844 people....

On July 24, 1915, the city of Chicago suffered a tragedy that was witnessed by nearly 10,000 bystanders and claimed more lives than the infamous Chicago Fire. Taking place in broad daylight on the city's bustling wharfside, it was a heartbreaking maritime disaster that sorrowfully echoed the sinking of the luxury liner Titanic just three years earlier.

However, the victims of this terrible mishap weren't among the world's most rich and famous. They were everyday people who worked hard for the right to enjoy a day's pleasure. They did not know that for many aboard, this day would be their last. The only thing more shocking than the event that took their lives is the fact that it has been all but forgotten.

“Powerful.”

— Publishers Weekly

“Riveting.”

— Vincent Bugliosi,
Author of Helter Skelter

“Bone-shaking. Ranks up there with The Perfect Storm.”

— James Dalessandro,
Author of 1906: A Novel

“Chilling.”

— The Chicago Sun-Times

“A devastating, necessary testament.”

— Stewart O'Nan,
Author of Circus Fire

“Bonansinga expertly captures the pathos of the moment.”

— Forest Park Review

“A powerful, haunting story that has the makings of this year's best sellers. Bravo Jay Bonansinga, and four stars.”

— Christopher G. Janus,
Author of Miss Fourth of July, Goodbye

“It takes a crime writer to really give teeth to a tragedy.”

— The Poisoned Pen Booknews

“The first book to treat the event in human terms (Bonansinga's book) is a gripping account.”

— Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

“Dramatic.”

— Seattle Times

“Brilliantly researched and beautifully written. It's a wonderful read.”

— John R. Powers,
Author of Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

“Stirring...taut, and readable...will appeal to a wide audience.”

— Library Journal

“Bonansinga dives into the story, churning up a wealth of detail about the many ordinary folks caught up in the accident and its aftermath. Told with a real acknowledgement of the heartbreak of so many dead.”

— The Chicago Reader

For more information, visit: http://www.jaybonansinga.com, http://www.pmalitfilm.com, http://www.kensingtonbooks.com, http://www.amazon.com, and http://www.ireadnet.com.