An account of the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 relates the stories of two men who shaped the history of the event–architect Daniel H. Burnham, who coordinated its construction, and serial killer Herman Mudgett.
The Devil in the White City
By eriklarson
I usually don’t read nonfiction but Erik Larson’s work is as good as any fictional thriller. Devil in the White City is for readers who love crime. It’s fast paced and thrilling. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Two storylines taking place at the same time is what Erik Larson is a master of.
The World’s Fair in Chicago and a serial killer. Both real. Both pivotal. Well worth reading.
I have read all of Erik Larson’s books. It was hard to pick a favorite. His books are non-fiction but read like a novel. I think this is my favorite because of the way Chicago changed because of the 1893 Worlds Fair. It’s also the story of a killer. I think I might read it again soon,
The book was slow in parts, especially if you’re not interested in construction. But being with a carpenter, and a fan of history I found this book very interesting. Learning how things were accomplished in a time where they didn’t have many resources was very interesting to me. It made me want to look up what is there now, and what ever came of …
Chilling and at the same time historically informative true tale of America’s first serial killer. All taking place at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Who would’ve thought I’d find a historical retelling of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (the Columbian Exposition) riveting, but indeed I did. Of course, the sprinkled-in-chapters about the serial killer who left his mark on the city at the same time helped give the book a shock factor (and he was a truly horrible person), but even the scenes about …
This is one of my favorite non-fiction books. It has two stories that converge: a story of a serial killer in 19th century Chicago, and the story of Chicago trying to prepare for the Chicago World’s Fair with all sorts of unexpected calamity.
I really enjoyed the descriptions in this book. This author does an extensive amount of research when writing his novels and it shows.
This is kind of the book that started it all in terms of a lot of trends, I think. (I was just checking out Empire of Sin, which looks really cool, and noticing the similarities in cover design.)
I read a lot of history books and in recent years I’ve noticed an uptick in the number of books that — like this one — try to weave together history …
It had a bit of everything, action, love, murder and best of all was the history of Chicago! I’ve read it once, lent it out, and want to read it again!
This book is not so much about H. H. Holmes as it is about Chicago and the 1893 World Fair held there. The author takes us through the competition between cities to host the Fair, particularly between Chicago and New York to the arduous process of selecting the site for the Fair, preparing the site, erecting the buildings, and preparing the …
Love this author and his contrasting 2 antithetical real-life stories happening at the same time and having ironic interactions, mostly unknown. The best combination of actual history and compelling mystery.
This was an unpredictable book that took place in Chicago. The main character was twisted and his actions were frightening. You can’t put it down once you start.
Erik Larson always does his homework. His books are impressively researched, which makes them so fascinating. Here you have two narratives running side by side: the story of the 1895 World Exposition, and the story of a horrifying serial killer who makes that event his hunting ground. When you visit or move to Chicago, this book is a must-read. …
As an architect, the history of the Chicago Exhibition was what drew me to the book, but the story of the twisted murderous Henry H. Holmes played against Architect Daniel Hudson Burnham and the design/building of the exhibition kept me glued to the book. Great read but disturbing at times.
I didn’t know what to expect when I first started this novel, but Eric Larson’s terrific story captivated me from the first page. I knew the book was about the notorious serial killer, H.H. Holmes, but what I didn’t know was that a significant amount of the story was also about the building of the Chicago world’s fair, in the late 1800s’. The …
I cannot think of ten books — in fifty years of reading — that have engaged and impressed, or shocked and amazed, me more. One read is not nearly enough; twice will do in a pinch; three times, then you can say that’s that. Fortunately, there is more than enough Erik Larson to see you through, to scratch your itch — and, trust me, you will have …
Intriguing account of real incidents that reads like a thriller. You have to get a bit into it before it becomes a page-turner, but it’s very much worth the effort.
This is a nonfiction book that reads like fiction. Side by side stories of preparation for and execution of the 1893 World Fair in Chicago and the narrative of H.H. Holmes, a shyster and serial killer posing as a doctor. Holmes preyed upon scores of young women, many of whom were not discovered missing or dead until after the completion of the …
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America is a nonfiction book written by author Erik Larson. The book intertwines the true stories of Daniel H. Burnham and Dr. H. H. Holmes and I found them very interesting. It is written in a fiction novel style while still citing it’s sources and remaining factual. …