The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that… (2003)

I love history. And Devil in the White City is one of the best books one can find on Chicago history. The story centers on the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 and moves between the lives of Daniel Burnham and H.H. Holmes. Burnham was a supremely important architect in the rise of Chicago and the organization of the Fair. Holmes was a ruthless serial killer living in the Chicago neighborhood of Englewood at the same time. Larson writes like a novelist. Holmes claimed to be the devil, and his actions seemed to prove this to be true. Parts of his story are gruesome, so be prepared. However, overall the book is excellent. ( )

A great history, alternating between descriptions of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and of serial killer H.H. Holmes, who preyed on young women in Chicago at the time of the Fair. At times in the book I wished for the Fair sections to finish so I could get back to the eerie tale of Holmes; at others, I couldn't wait to get back to the surprisingly compelling story of the Fair's unexpected triumph. Very well done. ( )

This was really good. I enjoyed the story and I learned a lot about the time period. ( )

This book is so much more than I expected!! Interested in learning more about serial killer H.H.Holmes and his murderous ways in Chicago in the late 1800's, I was pleasantly surprised that this book is more about the 1893 World's Fair than about the serial killer. I found myself enjoying the history of the planning, building and showmanship of the World's Fair even more than the horrific facts about Holmes' activities. From the AC power provided by Nikola Tesla that lit up the entire grounds to the huge wheel designed by George Ferris, the World's Fair was a wondrous spectacle that brought hundreds of thousands of people into the city. An unintended result was that the Fair also brought many young women new to the city and unchaperoned for the first time....some of whom fell victim to the charms and murderous intent of H.H. Holmes.

I listened to the audio version of this book. The audiobook is just over 15 hours long and narrated by Scott Brick. I like Brick's voice, and he read at a nice even pace. I have hearing loss, but had no problem hearing and understanding the audio. Larson obviously did copious amounts of research into the planning, construction and details of the World's Fair. He gives so much detail about all aspects of the event, and of H.H.Holmes' life, crimes, capture and subsequent prosecution and execution. Great story!

Note of caution: This book is Non-fiction, and not written like a narrative story. There are lots of facts and information about the Fair, its planning and engineering, the events, people, etc.....plus copious details about H.H. Holmes. This does not read like a fictional novel or story! Readers who don't enjoy historical accounts with lots and lots of details...this might not be the book for you. History buffs or those who love great details like how many people could ride the first Ferris wheel at one time or how many people attended the Fair each day, etc....will LOVE this!! I sure did!

Erik Larson has written several other non-fiction narratives about historical events including Dead Wake (about the sinking of the Lusitania) and Thunderstruck (about the capture of the murderer Dr. Crippen). ( )

Really liked the first part of the book, but I felt that he got bogged down in too much detail toward the end. Still, an interesting history book told really well, showing the best and worst of the young America and, as usual, the best and worst show up in the same place at the same time. ( )