Three Fearful Days is not just another book about the 1906 earthquake and fire, but one that is devoted almost entirely to eyewitness accounts by men, women, and children who lived through it. They tell of seeing the quake rip open the streets; of being trapped when City Hall collapsed on top of them; of battling the relentless firestorm to save their homes and businesses. They tell, also, of the courage, determination, and good humor with which San Franciscans began to rebuild their lives—and their city.

          Malcolm E. Barker found these personal reminiscences in letters, diaries and long out-of-print books. His eclectic selection provides a unique insight into the psychological and sociological effects of one of the nation’s greatest natural disasters of the 20^th century.