Shares with readers America’s first and most infamous serial killer and his diabolical killing spree during the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago
The first comprehensive book following the life and career of H. H. Holmes
A fascinating true story about a dark moment in Chicago’s history
H. H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil uncovers not only the true story of Holmes but also how the … not only the true story of Holmes but also how the legend evolved. It uses hundreds of primary sources that have never been studied before. This includes letters, articles, legal documents, and records that have been tucked away in archives for more than 100 years.
While H. H. Holmes is now as famous as he was in 1895, a thorough analysis of modern materials clarifies how much of the story as we know it came from reports who were far from the action, an incredibly unqualified new police chief, and lies from Holmes himself.
This book is a tale of an outlaw. It covers Holmes’s own story with new insights. The author, Adam Selzer, has uncovered stunning new data about Holmes. He combines turn-of-the-century America, the crazy group of characters who were in and around the famous “castle” building, and the killer’s own background. This book is the first fully accurate account of what truly happened in Holmes’s horror castle.
H. H. Holmes, with its exhaustive research and careful detail, is an irreplaceable partner to the upcoming Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese movie about Holmes’s murder spree based on Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City.
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I enjoyed the era of the World’s Fair and being able to image the way the city looked in the 1800’s. Thought that building has long been torn down my mind’s eye can see the area. Hear the “L” rumble through that neighborhood, the stops of the train no longer exist, as a teen I rode the train and knew nothing of this history at that time. As an adult I read several books of crimes in the area and fantasied about why and the how of them, so I am always seeking more books on the crimes.
This book is very interesting on how it uses this case – the same one in Devil in the White City – to show how poor journalism can color our view of history. Worth the read just for the illustration.
Very well researched but difficult to read. Many characters cited in the book resulting in hard to follow storyline.
Holmes was a twisted person…true life us so much worse than horror stories!
Dispels many of the myths surrounding this murderous con man. Real crime how it should be written.
Fascinating subject.
At times it was dragged out. It was interesting about the case since I had seen other things about this case
I enjoyed the book very much, I thought It was very informative. I enjoy reading true crime. I would recommend this book.
Adam Selzer has lots of facts in his book! Clearly the newspapers and records of the day have been well researched.
The main reason for the book seems very be to present facts, misinformation, and false accusations which involved Holmes.
The book could be a bit better organized with a summary of the chapter’s main points at the chapter’s end and a summary at the book’s end of the author’s conclusions.
Basically the author believes that Holmes killed no more than nine people, and because he killed for profit, he doesn’t qualify as a serial killer.
This book follows the mass murderer H H Holmes who designed and built a structure specifically to murder his victims. It’s a fascinating story for those interested in criminal literature.
It’s not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Holmes’ crimes were listed in great detail as his criminal actions were reconstructed and some are fairly gruesome. It’s believed that Holmes stalked his victims at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, handing out his card to tourists so they would visit his “hotel” for their lodging while they were in town. Those folks never returned to their homes, disappearing into the bowels of Holmes murder factory not to be heard of ever again.
H H Holmes murdered infants, children, teenagers and adults. He was an equal opportunity serial killer. He used different methods such as toxic gas, drugging drinks, crushing them to death under their headboard in their sleep and dismembering some of them whilst they were still alive.
Holmes was a monster. However, most monsters fail to escape the consequences of their actions and Holmes is no exception. He was caught and confessed to 27 murders but some of the people he claimed to have killed were still alive. He was executed in 1896. I highly recommend this book to those interested in reading about America’s first serial killer.
Holmes may not be America’s first serial killer, but he is one of the first that historians could trace. His deeds were horrific and evil. It makes one think of other murderers who got away with their deeds due to the lack of police tools of investigation at the time.
Jack the Ripper gets most of the attention but America had its own serial killer operating at the same time. H. H. Holmes killed over a huge geographical area primarily for financial gain. It is astounding how long he was able to continue his activities. This book tells the full story in captivating detail.
DULL
Great parts and others are boring and too entangled
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve read several books based on H H HOLMES & they consistently reveal just how very evil, deranged & exactly what a genius he was.
I feel extremely sorry for all of his victims their families & his family which he has descendents living today.
If anyone’s interested in reading abt a true living nightmare in the form of a human-being then I recommend this book, but it also might give you nightmares just knowing that we still have our own living, breathing. MR. H.H.HOLMES on the streets of any city, town or country.
I truly hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
HAPPY 🙂 READING:)
I thought this book to be boring and I didn’t learn anything from it
Not too bad. It is confusing at times. Lots of characters to keep up with.
too much information for me. it never got down to the meat for me. someone else may enjoy it more than I did.
A boring, detailed clarification of the myths spread by tales such as “The Devil in the White City.” It turns out that Holmes was just as evil as the stories tell us, but somewhat less organized and efficient than previously shown. Much closer to the truth, and better documented than the “White City” book, but also a lot duller to read.
HH Holmes was a seriously twisted man. His true life story reads like an Edgar Allan Poe story.