I am slowly and occasionally tracking my way through the "Best Nonfiction" collection from 2007, and the opening piece by Jo Ann Beard--an account of an apartment fire and a dramatic escape--reminded me of how much I'd loved this collection of essays.
I'd say more, but on the bookpage there's a review by a Brendan that is just plain fantastic, so go read that. And after you read his review, read this book.