Avg. Customer Rating:(based on 772 reviews) Sales Rank: 358 Category: Book
Author:Erik Larson Publisher:Vintage Studio:Vintage Manufacturer:Vintage Label:Vintage Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media: Paperback Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 447 Shipping Weight (lbs): 1 Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 1
Product Description Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America?s place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction.
Amazon.com Review Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that The Devil in the White City is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor. Burnham's challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous "White City" around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair's incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, and Thomas Edison. The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims. Combining the stories of an architect and a killer in one book, mostly in alternating chapters, seems like an odd choice but it works. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed through Larson's skillful writing. --John Moe
this book was a bestseller for good reason November 20, 2008 This is an excellent book which stands out amongst true crime books as one of the best. The author handles a gruesome topic without making the reader feel depressed. Every aspect of the crime is examined while the writer illuminates an historical perspective which is fascinating.
Devil in the White City November 19, 2008 Great historical prosective of a wonderful city everyone claims to know..but doesn't know that much history about!
The Chicago World's Fair Era November 10, 2008 This book is about two subjects: the 1892 Chicago World's Fair, and the murderer who killed scores of young women while operating a rooming house. [What a combination!] There is no Index, the Bibliography lists many old books that few can easily reference. I wonder how many readers know anything about the 1890s? They were not "The Good Old Days"; they had the worst depression of the 19th century. The first error is "a young woman named Borden killed her parents". Surely not the exonerated Lizzie? Larson describes colorful events, and shows his skill in creating a popular history. You will learn how they were able to build skyscrapers on the gumbo of Chicago soil. This non-fiction book lacks any photographs of the people and places described there!
Either the 1893 Columbian Exposition or the career of Herman Webster Mudgett would make an interesting book. Combining the two stories could create a wider audience, or, hinder a person without any interest in one of these stories. Both stories coincided, but there must have been other events at that time that were more appropriate for this book. There was a lot of things happening politically and economically, but its mostly been censored. Some true crime stories tell a lot about the era, like Curt Gentry's "Frame-Up". Linking a serial killer with this World's Fair is certainly unusual.
Is this book padded out with inconsequential details, like the hiring of Frederick Law Olmsted? The running together of many separate lives only to bring them together is found in fiction. I think true crime should proceed more linearly. The chapters are not listed in the `Contents'. I was happy to read about the otherwise forgotten Daniel H. Burnham and his life, and the Chicago World's Fair of 1892. There should have been more on the other events of that era. The story about crimes should also be included, but not over-emphasized.
I once read that the Ferris Wheel was invented for this World's Fair. Larson fills in the details about this historic event. Larson mentions "strikers at coalfields and steel mills" but few other details. 1890 saw the last of the Indian Wars, the "Closing of the Frontiers", and other significant events in politics (tariffs and income tax). Is there any good popular history about the 1890s, or is that still too controversial? Larson describes H.H. Holmes: "handsome and clean and dressed well and spoke in fine sentences", "far too smooth and self-assured for a man of so few years". Was this too good to be true? Have you ever met anyone like this? Beware of any seemingly rich person who wants to borrow money from you or asks you for an investment. You will learn the meaning of a "Cleckley psychopath" or "moral imbecile", and the investigations of insurance companies.
Highly Rated for History Fans November 6, 2008 For this reviewer The Devil in the White City was a noteworthy reading experience. Like his other book Isaac's Storm I was exposed to events and experiences of America's history that were completely unknown to me. As a reader of history my goal is the acquisitions of new information and perspectives, which this book fulfilled. I found the details of the enormous construction project build with late 19th Century technology most noteworthy. I wish the published had included more photos and maps of the Fair. Be warned Mr. Larson covers many themes and issues, which he describes in great detail. This is not a book to blast through in an evening but one to read and reflect upon the rich lives and events described. I will admit that I found a few sections in need of a good editorial hand and the title seems to imply it is a novel but these are minor criticism and does not prevent me from recommending it to the Amazon community.
A bit tedious at times, but worth a read - esp if you like architectural history November 3, 2008 It took me 2 weeks to get through this book. Mainly because it's been crazy in my life lately, but also because this is, in some ways, a dry book. I was fascinated by the architecture and building practices of the time. The history of foundations in the Chicago area, the time/effort/labor it took, all that stuff interested me. BUT it did seem to drag on and on at times. The Holmes connection wasn't really connected, it happened at the same time and I think the fair only allowed him to get away with it because of the large number of people and craziness that went down around there. I wish we had heard more of the Holmes story and a little less of the fair. They were inter-woven, yes, but I think they deserved equal time.
Having said that, it is a good book, a bit tedious, definitely not a beach read. It did make me go look up more information and pictures about the fair. I always knew we had one there back then, but I didn't really know much about it. The whole project seems huge and frankly, amazing, for the time. Impressive.
All rights reserved. Amazon.com is a trademark of Amazon.com Information about prices, products, services and merchants is provided by third parties and is for informational purposes only. Caribbean Travel Books does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information, and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
