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
One of my favorite books!!!!!
Two great stories in one
well written. Troubling subject.
As good a story as you will ever read, and it’s all true! Amazing book!
Fascinating look at a great city during an earlier era.
As a former Chicagoan, I was curious about this book that is set during the Chicago World’s Fair. The author meticulously tells the story of a serial killer who murders defenseless women. The descriptions of the fair and Chicago are very good. I was so disturbed by the content of the murders, that this was a hard book for me to stomach.
Compelling, astounding, appalling, amazing, inspiring — the list of superlatives would be exhausted before fully describing this wonderful book. It’s true, well-researched, and brilliantly presented, a dual story. It focuses not only on America’s most heinous serial killer, an early one, maybe the first, H H Holmes, (Herman Webster Mudgett), who …
Terrifying!
Packed full of historical reference. It gives real insite into the sociopath/serial killers mind. Nothing is left to chance. It will send chills down you back!
This was assigned to my daughter for summer reading. I was the one who couldn’t put it down. Now, I’m a huge Erik Larsen fan!
Works equally well as a history of the Chicago World Fair (with such interesting tidbits as the description of Mr. Ferris’ Wheel) or a true crime thriller.
A very well written and researched history of the serial killer who preyed during the Chicago World’s Fair.
this is a fabulous book. It is history that is easy to read and helps you get a sense of time and place. He writes it as a mystery, so it is very exciting. I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed the author’s way of combining two historical stories.
Erik Larsen writes great books that are so informative while being very entertaining.
Excellent
I have read all the other books by Mr. Larson, but I could not get in to this book.
Terrifying since it is true.
Exciting true story. Scary. Historic.
Great to read, lots to learn about the time and setting for the Chicago World’s Fair.
Totally worthwhile and unforgettable. Definitely, by far, Larsen’s best book.