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
This is on my short list of the finest, most interesting and entertaining books I have ever read. It reads like an exciting novel, and is historically accurate. I recommend it without reservation.
Larson combines the skill of a journalist, historian, and novelist in the telling of these two stories; seemingly unconnected except for the time frame. I believe each one could have been a separate book. He switches back-and-forth between each – a technique that could cause the reader to lose interest (especially if you have to reread a previous …
There is so much information about the construction for the Chicago World’s Fair. I had no idea this went on, and then, the murderous happenings at the same time! Very interesting bit of history.
Hard to believe that anyone can be as evil as H. H. Holmes but I found this book to be impossible to put down. It is well-written and frightening, better than the best fictional accounts of serial killers.
Larson takes two seemingly disparate subjects and cleverly combines them in a great work of history. He well portrays H. H. Holmes in all of his creepy-ness and the architectural history of the 1893 Worlds Fair and the beginnings of modernization. The book is never dry! It is a page turner and informative at the same time. I highly recommend …
The back blurb of this book says Erik Larson is “a historian with a novelist’s soul.” After reading this book, I fully agree. Loved the way he told the parallel stories of the fair, the assassin, and the murderer. Aside from a just a little skimming in a few chapters about the architects’ woes, I was fully engaged with this book. I will be reading …
I’m a historian who greatly appreciates the care Erik Larson takes using primary sources to weave his stories so beautifully. Devil was the first of his books I read and couldn’t wait to read more.
Erik Larson is a master at weaving together 2 historic events into a fascinating story. In this case he focuses on the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who preys on young women. The planning and building of the fair and the struggles of renowned landscape architect Fredrick Olmsted (designer of Central Park) to …
The history of building the Chicago World’s Fair was interesting but the back story of the Holmes character was fascinating and so creepy. I still think about the book years later.
Fascinating presentation of a time in history. Central focus is Chicago World’s Fair (White City) and serial killings in the area. I had previously read about the killings so was not especially interested in that. The rest of the book — what else happened at the fair, new inventions, structures, etc. — was fascinating. Larsen has written other …
This is a must read for anyone that enjoys historical non-fiction. Larson does an excellent job of keeping both stories moving along. The details are fascinating and well-researched. This was an incident that I wasn’t familiar with, and the fact that the devil was operating concurrent to the Chicago’s World’s Fair was engrossing.
This has got to be one of my favorite stories. I’ve seen it reviewed and waxed lyrical about it with both friends and compete strangers. It’s part historical non-fiction, part mesmerizing drama. A meld of two things I love best when brought together with a deft hand.
The story takes place at the end of the 19th century–the World’s Fair in …
Initially I was interested in the serial killer side of the tale but was really drawn in to all the history about the construction of the World’s Fair. Occasionally a bit slow but so much factual history. Was an unexpectedly interesting read from both perspectives of the story.
A fascinating profile of a very specific time in history, paralleling the lives of two men: one, Daniel Burnham, the chief architect of the “White City” of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, and the other, Dr. H.H. Holmes (real name: Herman Mudgett), the infamous murdered supposedly inspired by his near contemporary, Jack the Ripper.
The World’s Fair …
Gripping historical fiction of America’s first serial killer. Great book club discussion based on this book.
Interesting about the start of the Chicago World’s Fair and the madman H. H. Holmes. Like two stories in one.
Erik Larsen is one of a very few non-fiction writers that make real life events as interesting as fiction…….I love all of his books! (This was one of the earlier ones)
I like all of Eric Larson’s books. I have also read In the Garden of Beasts and just finished Dead Wake.
Really enjoyed reading this historical drama centered in Chicago, Illinois. Having grown up in the area I was surprised by content and accuracy of the book. The author really made me feel like I travelled back in time to a World Fair. Further the architectural accuracy was very interesting. Not to mention the state of the medical organization. …
Great example of well-written nonfiction. This book is terrific! So much information about The Columbian Exposition in 1893 Chicago–entertaining and educational.