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
Interesting and terrifying all at the same time.
a fabulous book, Yet disturbing
Great book. Mix of murder (serial killer) mystery and history of the Columbian (Chicago) exposition
After 13 chapters of very detailed description it is a good book.
I picked up The Devil in the White City a few months after reading another of Larson’s books, In the Garden of Beasts, which chronicled the experiences of the American ambassador to Germany during the rise of Nazism. I greatly enjoyed that book, and so approached Devil with high expectations—especially as the subject matter was inherently …
One of my very favorites
Although, fictional, it is one of the few based-on-facts books I really enjoyed.
I think it got bogged down and it was too long without needing to be.
Best book I ever read.
My favorite of Larsen’s books
Brilliantly written. Most amazing revelation of true facts regarding famous people.
This is a story that is somewhat remarkable. It brings us back in such an historical time in Chicago’s World’s Fair and the evil and innocence that it attracted.
Absolutely fascinating. Literally impossible to put down; was glued to the book for hours at a time(!) Completely enthralling!
I learned some history about the city of Chicago from reading this book. How it became known as the , “The Windy City!” and the meaning behind it… I also learned some unique inventions, i.e. Ferris Wheel, was invented here.
Fantastic book. If you are interested in the country around the turn of the 19th century this is a great book. It’s a book with two parallel stories about putting together the 1893 world’s fair in Chicago with a serial killer who was lurking in the region. I’ve read other books by Larson but this one is the best by far. Compelling, well told, …
I know a lot of people who love this book. I found it extremely slow and boring. Too much history until it got to the crime.
One of my favorites. The historical part mixed with the true crime events of the World Fair was interesting how Larsen interwove the two. Liked this much better than his other books. Learning so much about the architects of so many landmarks in Chicago.
A very informative book that is half about the savage killer H. H. Holmes and half about the economic turmoil of the time, the seemingly impossible construction of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the hope that depended on its fruition.
The first of his many books I’ve read. Enjoyed them all!
This historical novel was amazing. Two stories that overlapped [sort of] at a particular point in time. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!