Episode Details

Sponsored by Eco-Cool HVAC

 

Step into history with author and retired firefighter Andrew Serra as he joins Rich Bennett to discuss Hell’s Hundred Acres, his gripping novel about the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. From first responder insight to untold immigrant stories, Andrew brings the tragedy—and its legacy—to life. This powerful conversation reveals why the fire still matters today and how storytelling can spark change.

 

Guest: Andrew Serra

 

Andrew Serra is a retired New York City firefighter and acclaimed author known for his deeply researched historical novels. With firsthand experience in emergency response and a passion for storytelling, Andrew brings history to life through powerful narratives. His latest novel, Hell’s Hundred Acres, explores the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and its lasting impact on labor laws and fire safety.

 

Main Topics:

 

·         The historical significance of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

·         How the fire influenced labor laws and fire safety regulations in the U.S.

·         Andrew Serra’s personal connection to the story as a retired NYC firefighter

·         The process of writing Hell’s Hundred Acres as historical fiction

·         Challenges of balancing factual accuracy with storytelling

·         The human impact of the tragedy and the lives behind the statistics

·         Corruption and political context of early 20th-century New York

·         Andrew’s previous books and transition from firefighter to author

·         The emotional toll and therapeutic power of writing about 9/11

·         Preserving forgotten stories through historical fiction

 

Resources mentioned:

 

Books by Andrew Serra:

• Hell’s Hundred Acres
• The Dead Florentines
• La Petite Parisienne
• Finding John (Non-fiction, 9/11 memoir)
• Zuccotti Park
• The Tenement (E-book short story series)

Historical Events & References:

• 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
• Tammany Hall politics
• The New Deal
• 9/11 terrorist attacks
• Occupy Wall Street Movement
• Letters from Iwo Jima (Film)
• Civil War letter collections

Organizations & Institutions:

• FDNY Ladder Company 20
• NYU (New York University)
• Cornell University Labor Studies
• New York City Fire Museum
• Freedom Federal Credit Union Studios
• Harford County Living

Websites:

• AndrewSerra.com
• EcoCoolHVAC.com – Episode Sponsor

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