The Devil in the White City:Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
by: Erik Larson
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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
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.
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
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.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Marvels and Mayhem: Side by Side
Erik Larson ("Isaac's Storm") brilliantly weaves the story of the designing and building of Chicago's World's Fair of 1893 with the madness of a seemingly charming physician who, in essence, was one of America's first serial killers.
While the great Chicago architect Daniel Burnham was designing and building the fair (popularly known as "the White City"--so called because of its tens of thousands of new-fangled electric light bulbs), the doctor was carrying out his horrific deeds in ... Read More
Rating: 
- Larson, Eric "Devil in the White City"
A very readable book with fascinating details of late nineteenth century Chicago (and the USA in general).It offers a chilling contrast between the creative effort of building the World's Fair and the destruction wrought by the psychopath who lived nearby.The narrative flips between accounts of the fair's construction and the story of H. H. Holmes.This has the effect of building suspense but is irritating at times.For me, the story of the personalities behind the fair was the most interesting ... Read More
Rating: - Good Read
It must be tough balancing historical fact with historical fiction.White City does a nice balancing act.Always interesting even when the author delves into a guessing game at what someone was thinking or feeling.Very enjoyable read.
Rating: 
- Just an ok read
I was expecting more from the Devil in the White City other than a overly pedantic telling of the building of the Columbian Exposition with a police type report on the murders.I have to say I enjoyed what I read about the building, but I grew very tired of the writing style.I knew I was in trouble when in the first chapter, the author had to tell me the police call box number.
No where does the author get into the mind of the killer.I have no idea of the motive or what possessed him ... Read More
Rating: - Good Book
This book was eye-opening and a great historical portal... If only we would know more about how many he killed and how he got away with each one of them.
- Marvels and Mayhem: Side by SideErik Larson ("Isaac's Storm") brilliantly weaves the story of the designing and building of Chicago's World's Fair of 1893 with the madness of a seemingly charming physician who, in essence, was one of America's first serial killers.
While the great Chicago architect Daniel Burnham was designing and building the fair (popularly known as "the White City"--so called because of its tens of thousands of new-fangled electric light bulbs), the doctor was carrying out his horrific deeds in ... Read More
- Larson, Eric "Devil in the White City"A very readable book with fascinating details of late nineteenth century Chicago (and the USA in general).It offers a chilling contrast between the creative effort of building the World's Fair and the destruction wrought by the psychopath who lived nearby.The narrative flips between accounts of the fair's construction and the story of H. H. Holmes.This has the effect of building suspense but is irritating at times.For me, the story of the personalities behind the fair was the most interesting ... Read More
- Good ReadIt must be tough balancing historical fact with historical fiction.White City does a nice balancing act.Always interesting even when the author delves into a guessing game at what someone was thinking or feeling.Very enjoyable read.
- Just an ok readI was expecting more from the Devil in the White City other than a overly pedantic telling of the building of the Columbian Exposition with a police type report on the murders.I have to say I enjoyed what I read about the building, but I grew very tired of the writing style.I knew I was in trouble when in the first chapter, the author had to tell me the police call box number.
No where does the author get into the mind of the killer.I have no idea of the motive or what possessed him ... Read More
- Good BookThis book was eye-opening and a great historical portal... If only we would know more about how many he killed and how he got away with each one of them.
