The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America [Book]

I am not the biggest fan of non-fiction but I would rate this book 3/5 stars due to the story telling aspects of Erik Larsons writing styles. The parts I liked about this book were Holmes chapters, I found it interesting looking into the mind of a serial killer and other ways of how he scammed the ones around him. Many parts of his chapters almost seemed like fiction, for example when Emeline's foot print was etched into the vault door probably from the acid covering the room. Another aspect I liked about the book was when the Worlds Fair was actually taking place and people were describing the exhibits and sights they saw. The fair sounded larger than life, and I did not know so many influential people were at the fair such as Hellen Keller and Susan B. Anthony. ... MoreI am not the biggest fan of non-fiction but I would rate this book 3/5 stars due to the story telling aspects of Erik Larsons writing styles. The parts I liked about this book were Holmes chapters, I found it interesting looking into the mind of a serial killer and other ways of how he scammed the ones around him. Many parts of his chapters almost seemed like fiction, for example when Emeline's foot print was etched into the vault door probably from the acid covering the room. Another aspect I liked about the book was when the Worlds Fair was actually taking place and people were describing the exhibits and sights they saw. The fair sounded larger than life, and I did not know so many influential people were at the fair such as Hellen Keller and Susan B. Anthony. With the descriptions of the Ferris wheel, the Court of Honor, and the food at the fair, it felt like I was actually there.The parts of the book that I did not find that interesting were Burnham's chapters talking about creating the landscape and the structures of the buildings for the fair. To me they went into extreme detail of the construction of buildings that I was just not interested in. But overall I found the book interesting on how little time they had to build the fair and the resources they had. This is why I would give The Devil in the White City a 3/5 stars.

19 Century Horror That's Real, Not Fictional

Year of Our Lord 1893, a World's Fair in Chicago, a city almost fully recovered from the devastating fire of 1871. A dazzling spectacle in Jackson Park, the first Ferris Wheel, buildings and peoples of the world, tourists from everywhere...and an unspeakably evil Herman Webster Mudgett, AKA Dr. H.H Holmes, who meets young women, invites them to visit his home near the Fair, and murders them. I grew up in Chicago and I'd heard a few things about this man and his "murder castle" on 63rd Street west of Jackson Park, but this book fills in any and all details I never knew. Holmes was evil, a cold blooded serial killer, America's first, and his story is fascinating in the same way as looking a fatal car accident: I was revulsed by what he'd done, but it was horribly ... MoreYear of Our Lord 1893, a World's Fair in Chicago, a city almost fully recovered from the devastating fire of 1871. A dazzling spectacle in Jackson Park, the first Ferris Wheel, buildings and peoples of the world, tourists from everywhere...and an unspeakably evil Herman Webster Mudgett, AKA Dr. H.H Holmes, who meets young women, invites them to visit his home near the Fair, and murders them. I grew up in Chicago and I'd heard a few things about this man and his "murder castle" on 63rd Street west of Jackson Park, but this book fills in any and all details I never knew. Holmes was evil, a cold blooded serial killer, America's first, and his story is fascinating in the same way as looking a fatal car accident: I was revulsed by what he'd done, but it was horribly fascinating and I could not look away until I'd finished the book. This horror is not fictional, it's real and that's the most disturbing thing.

A Good Historical True Crime Story but lacks on the Crime Story

I just finished this book this week. I was really excited for this book because I was very intrigued about the premise. Overall, I will say that the writing style is good. Every few chapters it would jump between the story/premise of the construction and trials of the World's Fair in Chicago, IL and then it would then jump to the story/premise of the psychopath serial killer, Herman Webster Mudgett (aka H.H. Homes). However, I feel that this book really dragged on with the premise of the construction. Even though I enjoyed the story and learning more about the trials and the successes of what went into the planning, constructing and maintaining the 1893 World's Fair, I really would have appreciated it from the Author to give us more into the life and investigation ... MoreI just finished this book this week. I was really excited for this book because I was very intrigued about the premise. Overall, I will say that the writing style is good. Every few chapters it would jump between the story/premise of the construction and trials of the World's Fair in Chicago, IL and then it would then jump to the story/premise of the psychopath serial killer, Herman Webster Mudgett (aka H.H. Homes). However, I feel that this book really dragged on with the premise of the construction. Even though I enjoyed the story and learning more about the trials and the successes of what went into the planning, constructing and maintaining the 1893 World's Fair, I really would have appreciated it from the Author to give us more into the life and investigation of the serial killer. I feel that the storyline of H.H. Homes was really lacking in more detail and just "more". I will say this, that the end of the story really did a good job with wrapping up the book and giving me closure for the story line of H.H. Homes. Heads up though, this book really starts out slow. Be prepared to push through it for at least the first 1/4 of it. It does pick up about half way through the book. All in all, I would recommend this book because the Author did a great job with his research and his writing style was not confusing. This is an entertaining piece of published work that is based on true United States of American History.

A non-fiction book that reads like a novel

This book caught my attention because it was about the Chicago's Worlds Fair of 1893. I have always wondered what it would be like to attend one of those fairs so thought this was a good way to learn more about it. Then I saw it was also about America's first recorded serial killer H.H. Holmes and I thought this may interesting as well. Even though this was a non-fiction book I thought parts of it read just like a novel. I guess I mean to say that it was not just all restated facts or dry reading like a report would be. While I enjoyed the book there were a few parts that were a little slow to me. Some of the descriptions of the politics behind the World's Fair were a little long for me, but it was not fault of the author. I just was not as interested in those ... MoreThis book caught my attention because it was about the Chicago's Worlds Fair of 1893. I have always wondered what it would be like to attend one of those fairs so thought this was a good way to learn more about it. Then I saw it was also about America's first recorded serial killer H.H. Holmes and I thought this may interesting as well. Even though this was a non-fiction book I thought parts of it read just like a novel. I guess I mean to say that it was not just all restated facts or dry reading like a report would be. While I enjoyed the book there were a few parts that were a little slow to me. Some of the descriptions of the politics behind the World's Fair were a little long for me, but it was not fault of the author. I just was not as interested in those parts. I did like all how the author told us of a number of things that we still have to day that were debuted at the fair: shredded wheat cereal, the Ferris wheel, juicy fruit gum as well as the famous people that were a part of creating the fair: Frank Lloyd Wright, Walt's Disney's father, and the man who built the Biltmore estate. It was also interesting to read about all the statistics from the fair, from the people that attended to the money earned. All the information about H.H. Holmes was very interesting to me. For example how he swindled so many people out of money, how he pulled off a number of scams as well as the horrible killings he did. The descriptions of these was not gruesome, just facts. I also liked how the author would go back and forth between the two stories he was writing about. The ending of the book was very fitting as the author tied up all the loose ends. I have other books by this author and am looking forward to reading them.

Engaging Work of Narrative Nonfiction

I typically only read fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed this work of narrative nonfiction. This was one of the readings for my book club, and everyone loved it. The insane parallel stories provided for plenty of engaging discussion.

Great nonfiction

I enjoyed this book so much that I hand out copies to people I think might like it. This book was truly an enjoyable read that I had to keep reminding myself was nonfiction. Four reasons why I enjoyed the book are, one, Larson's research connects many people from the past to well known names of today. Historically it's chock-full of interesting facts. Second, it gives great insight to the history of Chicago including the slaughter houses or the general living conditions during that time. Third, the story of the murderer is fascinating. I looked the killer up on the internet to get more information. And last, it was amazing to read how the expo came together with all its glitches. This book is a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone.

How much fun can one reader take?

This is a story that is well written and actually fun to read! This is more a history book made into story form. There is no plot as the theme follows the history line of actual facts. The facts and points of interest are wondrous and simply staggering. All of which make this read that more enjoyable. Furthermore, adding this book to your library, for future reference, can actually make your library worthy of showing off. It will be a constant source of confirmation to one's sense of being educated. Eric Larson (the author) has written several books in a like manner but I have not actually read them. However, if "The Devil..." is any indication of the level & amount of enjoyment available, then the series is a year's worth of entertainment waiting to be explored!

Outstanding Historical Nonfiction Serves as the Back Drop for one of America's Worst Criminals

This book is unlike any other book I have ever read because it incorporates a true crime story with the history about the end of the 19th century when there was a monumental world's fair in Chicago, Illinois. That 1893 world's fair introduced so many modern advances such as the ferris wheel, the use of alternating current for electricity, the creation of a modern theme park with white structures, the utilization of landscape architecture by Olmstead, the invention of the rocking chair, etc. This book is historically fascinating and uplifting while providing the back drop for one of America's worst criminals, who preyed on young women who attended that spectacular world's fair, many whom went missing forever. If you are looking for a riveting page turner, this is it!

Riveting. Serial murderer while Chicago World's Fair

I had read this twenty years ago, and pick It up again. Since then, I ordered 3 more copies for friends. For ME, it was the planning and building of the Chicago's World's Fair, all the more challenging because of the soil. The engineering and architectural advances developed to secure the foundations , etc satisfied those interests, but how I had forgotten the serial murderer who defrauded and scammed many in his path to secure whatever necessary to satisfy his sadistic needs. Larson's writing is dazzling, and his broad research considerable. Turn off the TV and read it....

TDITWC, 5/5

To whom this book may come across, I am a seventeen year old senior in high school. While this book was mandatory to read for a college credit course in english, by no means was it not pleasurable to read. The amount of time I’ve spent reading this book and analyzing each word as if it were my own is countless. As I began to realize my obsession with the past of American construction, I began to notice how much different we were then as well. I have to go far as saying there was no hope as of protecting women as they were murdered left and right by the hands of our first serial killer H. H. Holmes but what he was fond of- power. While I personally don't think he was Jack the Ripper as well, he was an evil being who didn't get a harsh enough punishment for the sins ... MoreTo whom this book may come across, I am a seventeen year old senior in high school. While this book was mandatory to read for a college credit course in english, by no means was it not pleasurable to read. The amount of time I’ve spent reading this book and analyzing each word as if it were my own is countless. As I began to realize my obsession with the past of American construction, I began to notice how much different we were then as well. I have to go far as saying there was no hope as of protecting women as they were murdered left and right by the hands of our first serial killer H. H. Holmes but what he was fond of- power. While I personally don't think he was Jack the Ripper as well, he was an evil being who didn't get a harsh enough punishment for the sins he committed on Chicago soil. Not many people have the guts or the passion to do what he did and I think God for that but even one serial killer in eternity causes generations of fear. Furthermore on the topic of construction- Burnham and Root were our main characters and leaders that did everything to prove America as the leading country to Paris, which Chicago turned out to be. For that reason I have nothing but respect for the two men who made everyone's dreams a reality as it brought new inventions, goals and needed risk takers to America. Personally, I would suggest this book to any reader over the age of sixteen as it is graphic in details of certain inhumane acts. But, if I had a chance to read this book all over again as a new reader I would do it in a heartbeat.