Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
Matthew Drew works in a firehouse located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. As a firefighter, he is one of over 4,800 dedicated individuals serving in the Chicago Fire Department, a profession that comes with its share of risks and rewards.
“I love my job,†he says. “There’s no better job in the world.â€
Drew lives in the Beverly neighborhood on the South Side with his wife and three young children. He enjoys playing sports like softball and has always had a passion for writing. Since becoming a firefighter in 2002, he has also pursued academic excellence, earning a master’s degree in writing from DePaul University. He has taught English composition at local high schools and colleges and even served as an instructor for firefighting tactics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Additionally, he was part of the Chicago Fire Department’s Hazardous Incident Team.
In 2013, Drew published his first book, “Shadows of Chicago: The True Story of Three Men and the Crimes That Shocked America.†It took him five years to complete, squeezing time between his duties as a firefighter and his studies. The book centers on James “Big Jim†Horan, a courageous and underappreciated figure in Chicago history. “I was fascinated by him,†Drew explains. “His story just kept pulling me in.â€
While researching and writing, Drew continued to fight fires. In February 2010, during a blaze on 46th Street and Ellis Avenue, he suffered a severe injury when an ax hit concrete, shattering a disk and severing his spinal cord. Doctors told him he would never walk again. But through determination and rehabilitation, he made a full recovery and now says, “I’m practically back to normal.â€
A flood at his home later destroyed all of his research materials, making him lose motivation. Eventually, he picked up the project again, expanding it to include two other key figures: Charles Comiskey, the baseball legend who founded the White Sox, and Fred Busse, a corrupt mayor of Chicago with a shady past. Their stories are interwoven with Chicago’s rich and sometimes dark history, including events like the Great Chicago Fire, the Black Sox scandal, and the rise of Al Capone.
The book opens with the three men as children, playing sandlot baseball on October 8, 1871. That night, the Great Fire broke out, changing their lives forever. The vivid description of the fire’s destruction captures the horror and beauty of the moment, leaving a lasting impression on the young boys.
Many firefighters have purchased and enjoyed Drew’s book, which he wrote with a clear, engaging style rather than complex theories. He remains deeply connected to history, often spending time in libraries and bookstores. His second career as an author seems to come naturally to him, given his dedication and discipline.
Drew plans to continue writing about firefighting and the people who risk their lives to protect others. He also donates a portion of his book’s proceeds to support the families of fallen firefighters.
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