I read this book for the Diversity in All Forms! Goodreads Book Club :). This was the selected book for the theme/topic of True Crime.

Here is a link to the discussion page:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I truly enjoyed this book. One of the aspects that I found particularly interesting was learning about the background of Chicago. It provided a vivid and detailed picture of the city during that time period. Additionally, I really liked the ending. It presented an interesting perspective by suggesting that he could be the Devil because of all the terrible things that happened to the people who took him to trial and convicted him.

At first, I was a bit scared to read this book as I had the impression that it might be extremely gory. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not the case at all. The author managed to tell the story in a way that was engaging and captivating without relying on excessive violence or gore. Overall, it was a great read and I would highly recommend it to others.

Erik Larson is an outstanding historical writer. He belongs to that rare group of individuals who have the remarkable ability to bring the past to life. He makes it seem not only immediate but also fresh, intimate, and truly amazing.

The book is firmly based on facts, yet it reads like the very best of novels. It skillfully weaves back and forth between the team that is racing to put together the most significant peacetime event in U.S. history, and a psychopathic murderer who is prowling the city simultaneously. This murderer preys on young women with a cold and efficient manner that makes Jack the Ripper seem, if I may excuse the pun, like an amateur.

Initially, I had no specific interest in the Chicago World's Fair. However, Larson is such a masterful teacher that he can make you completely forget you are in the process of learning. Wherever he decides to lead you, you can be certain that the journey is well worth the price of admission.

His writing style is engaging, his research is thorough, and his ability to create a vivid and immersive world is truly remarkable. Reading his work is not just an educational experience but also an enjoyable and thrilling one. It allows you to step back in time and witness history unfold in a way that is both captivating and enlightening.

Whether you are a history buff or simply someone who enjoys a good story, Erik Larson's books are sure to leave a lasting impression. He has a unique talent for making the past come alive and making it relevant and interesting to modern readers.

So, if you're looking for a book that will transport you to another era and keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than Erik Larson's historical works. You won't be disappointed.

I feel a profound sense of being deceived.

This book, titled The Devil in the White City, is categorized as true crime. However, less than half of it is actually dedicated to H. H. Holmes. The majority of the content focuses on Burnham and the construction of the Chicago World's Fair.

The book itself was not bad, but I picked it up due to my interest in serial killers, especially H. H. Holmes. So, I was extremely disappointed. I found myself skimming or completely skipping many sections related to the fair. Olmstead's sections, in particular, were arduous. His chapters were like painful marches through melancholy, illness, indecision, and general whining.

The sections that were actually about the book's namesake, the devil in the white city, were abbreviated, leaving a lot to foreshadowing and the reader's imagination.

If you are interested in this book because of a fascination with serial killers or H. H. Holmes, it's best to stay away. You can find more information on the internet in less than 5 minutes of reading than what is contained in this 400-page volume.

DNF

I'm not a big fan of non-fiction. However, Erik Larson is one of the best, my work friend says, and I believe it!

I don't like serial killers in non-fiction books. Since my wife is goth and has a penchant for the dark side, we watch a lot of stuff about serial killers. That's why I know a lot about H.H. Holmes.

The rest of it was just a non-fiction backdrop that didn't interest me much.

Nevertheless, this book is still highly recommended to the non-fiction reading crowd. They might find it captivating and engaging, despite my personal preferences. Maybe they'll discover something new and exciting within its pages.

It's important to remember that everyone has different tastes when it comes to reading. Just because it didn't appeal to me doesn't mean it won't be a great read for others.

So, if you're a fan of non-fiction and enjoy learning about various topics, give this book a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Who knows, it could become one of your favorite non-fiction reads of all time.

Being a member of a book club can be a double-edged sword. I'm in two such clubs, and while some books have been literary masterpieces, others have been rather challenging. In my current club, we chose to read "The Devil in the White City" due to the upcoming movie adaptation. However, it turned out that not everyone in the club read the book. I had to agree that it got a bit boring after 100 pages. But I also have to admit that I don't usually read history books. This one, though, had its moments. The parts about the World's Fair in Chicago were a bit of a slog for me, but I loved the story of Holmes' murders. The book alternated between excitement and tedium, but in the end, I'm glad I read it. Larson's research is impressive, and his narrative approach to nonfiction is engaging. I may not have loved the book as much as I expected, but I can appreciate what he's done.

The book in question had caught my eye for quite some time. It piqued my interest not only because it was a true story but mainly because it was related to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. And finally, the time came and I read it!

The story unfolds from 1890 to 1895 and mainly follows Daniel Hudson Burnham, an architect in charge of building the famous World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the White City, and Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who was active during that period, murdering an unknown number of people and shocking America.

Beyond the bloodshed, the smoke, and the muddy ground, this book is about the corruption of life, as well as why some people choose to fill the short span of time they are given by attempting the impossible, while others cause misfortune. In the end, it is a story about the inevitable conflict between good and evil, light and darkness, the White City and the Black City.

On one hand, we have Chicago's attempt to achieve the impossible. To build a World's Exposition like no other before. It had to be bigger, better, and more impressive than the previous one in Paris, with an attraction that would surpass the Eiffel Tower. It had to make not only Chicago but all of America look good. And all this with much less time than such an endeavor would require.

"You're dreaming, gentlemen, you're dreaming...," he whispered. "I only hope half of these visions can be realized."

Almost no one believed that such a thing was possible, except for a few. They gathered the greatest architects in America, searched for the best engineers, and assembled thousands of workers to work on the Expo site. The cost was astronomical, time was running out, and obstacles were everywhere. Misfortunes, difficult weather conditions, delays, strikes, refusals, lack of faith. But despite all the predictions and adverse conditions, Daniel Burnham believed and succeeded. His Expo went down in history, not only as an event but also influencing architecture, urban planning, technology, and more.

The impact of the Expo on the American psyche was strong and long-lasting, in many different ways. Walt Disney's father, Elias, helped build the White City; Walt's Magic Kingdom could be considered its descendant. The author L. Frank Baum and his illustrator collaborator William Wallace Denslow visited the Expo; its grandeur inspired them to create the Land of Oz. The Japanese pagoda in the Wooded Island fascinated Frank Lloyd Wright and perhaps influenced his plans for the Prairie Houses. Since 1893, every American carnival has included a main street called Midway Plaisance and a Ferris wheel, and every department store has products that were born at the Expo. The Sherman House Hotel finally survived. Every house has a plethora of incandescent light bulbs with alternating current, things that first proved their viability for widespread use at the Expo. The most important impact of the Expo was the change it brought to the way Americans perceive their cities and their architects. It made all of America - and not just some wealthy patrons of architecture - see cities in a completely different light. The Expo taught men and women, schooled in the absolute necessities, that cities did not have to be dark, dirty, and dangerous towers of strict utility. They could also be beautiful.

This account of the creation of the Expo, from its commission to its conclusion, really appealed to me! Maybe to some it may not seem so interesting and some parts they might find a bit dull, but I found all these details fascinating! As I said above, it was the main reason I wanted to read the book and I was more than satisfied!

Inside the Expo buildings, visitors encountered new devices and ideas for themselves and the world. They heard live music from an orchestra in New York that was transmitted via a wireless telephone. They saw the first moving images in Edison's Kinetoscope and watched in awe as the lightning crackled around Nikola Tesla's body. They also saw even more diabolical things - the first fur coat; the first fully electric kitchen, which included an automatic dishwasher; and a box that was supposed to contain everything one needed to make pancakes, with the brand name Aunt Jemima's.

And on the other hand, we have H. H. Holmes, one of the first recorded serial killers in America. Holmes was a young doctor, particularly charming, who made people trust him with terrifying ease, told lies without the slightest hesitation, set up financial frauds, opened and closed businesses according to his interests, and used a whole bunch of false names. He owed money to many people but always managed to avoid paying. But mainly, he liked to play with people, to manipulate them, and when he got bored, to dispose of them usually in some gruesome way. His main victims were young women and his main place of operation was a hotel he built himself specifically for this purpose, the so-called Castle. He built it deliberately close to the Expo to attract more people, a real trap for his potential victims. Holmes acted coldly and always dealt with the skeptical and their questions in such a way that no one suspected he had the slightest involvement in the disappearances of their loved ones, except much later. No one knows the real number of his victims. He himself confessed to 27, but some estimate it reached up to 200.

"I was born with the devil in me. I was a murderer and I couldn't help it, just as a poet has inspiration to sing and can't help it."

"It is a wonder of depravity, a human demon, a thing so unthinkable that no novelist would dare to imagine such a character. Moreover, the story seems to illustrate the end of the century."

Although it is a true story, which means that theoretically there is no mystery, Larson managed in some parts to make the reading almost agonizing. I also really liked the portrayal of the era. An era full of difficulties but also surprises. Discoveries, inventions, and innovations were happening continuously. I almost envied all those Expo visitors. They saw wonders and were excited about things that today we consider ordinary and obvious. (And then I read about all the other things, for example, what they thought about women or what they could die from, and I said no thank you!) And Erik Larson presented both, the White City and the Black City.

However, things were changing. Everywhere one looked, the boundary between the ethical and the evil seemed to be receding. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was advocating for divorce. Clarence Darrow was defending free love. A young woman named Bertha killed her parents.

Of course, a lot of research has been done on all these things and this is evident in the text as well as in the bibliography and the notes at the end of the book, and it also gave food for further personal research.

What charmed me about Chicago in the Gilded Age was the city's willingness to attempt the impossible in the name of its political honor, an idea so far removed from today's psychological makeup that two intelligent early readers of the drafts of this book wondered why Chicago wanted so passionately to win the World's Exposition. The contrast between pride and unfettered evil seemed to me to reveal a lot about human nature and their ambitions. The more I read about the Expo, the more I was charmed. That George Ferris would attempt to build something so big and original - and that he would succeed on the first try - seems unthinkable in the times we live in, with our messages about civic responsibility.

I really liked it a lot! More than I expected, to be honest!

Ferris wheels, Cracker Jacks, Buffalo Bill, and a serial killer! These elements come together in a captivating and chilling way in Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City."

As the 19th century drew to a close, Chicago was a city with a complex and often dark character. It was a place rife with corruption, filth, and the stench of the pig slaughtering industry. Despite this, the city fathers managed to secure the right to host the 1893 World Fair, determined to prove Chicago's modernity and prowess.

The book tells two intertwined stories. The first is the remarkable tale of architect Daniel H Burnham and his team's efforts to design and create the Columbian Exposition. This World's Fair was a triumph, exceeding all expectations and showcasing America's technological and architectural achievements. It introduced the world to innovations like Cracker Jacks, the Ferris wheel, and shredded wheat, and played a significant role in shaping the future of the United States.

The second story is that of Dr H.H. Holmes, a charming and diabolical serial killer. Holmes opened a hotel near the fairgrounds that was, in reality, a house of horrors. Equipped with a crematorium, gas chambers, and other macabre devices, he used the hotel to torture and murder his victims. While the official count of his victims is 27, some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 200.

Larson's decision to juxtapose these two stories is masterful. The beauty and wonder of the fair contrast sharply with the evil and horror of Holmes' crimes, creating a powerful and unforgettable narrative. The book is not only a thrilling read but also a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in American history.

Overall, "The Devil in the White City" is a highly recommended book. It combines meticulous research with engaging storytelling to create a work that is both informative and entertaining. Whether you're interested in history, true crime, or just a great story, this book has something for you.

**The Devil in the White City: A Captivating Tale of Chicago's World's Fair and a Serial Killer's Reign of Terror**

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America, Erik Larson is a fascinating exploration of Chicago's history, particularly during the time of the World's Fair. It also delves into the real crimes committed by H.H. Holmes. The book is divided into four parts. The first three parts are set in Chicago between 1890 and 1893, while part four takes place in Philadelphia around 1895.

H.H. Holmes, also known as Herman Mudgett, was a charismatic physician, artist, and serial killer. He lured between twenty-seven and two hundred people to his hotel. There, he killed women, conducted tests on them, and sold their bones to medical schools. He had a secret passage for each room in his hotel and would venture out at night to claim his victims. While constructing these secret passages, he would dismiss workers and architects to keep his secrets hidden. Amazingly, no one suspected him, and he continued to prey on the hotel's guests. What makes all these events even more real and terrifying is that Holmes actually existed. He confessed to twenty-seven murders.

This book offers a gripping account of a dark period in American history, combining the allure of the World's Fair with the horror of a serial killer's deeds. It is a must-read for those interested in true crime and the history of Chicago.

I absolutely adored this book! To be honest, I'm not really a fan of reading novels. Instead, I have a passion for non-fiction and biographies. However, this particular book was recommended to me by my mother. She is an enthusiastic reader and is a member of a book club in her neighborhood. The reason she recommended it to me is that our family has a connection to the 1893 World's Fair.

A great aunt of ours grew potatoes and sold them to earn enough money to attend the fair. And get this, she went all by herself! We are so lucky that she wasn't a victim in the story.

It was truly fascinating to learn about the architects involved, the politics of that era, and the economic situation of the times. The book was written so beautifully that I could vividly visualize what the fair must have looked like. The words seemed to come alive on the page, making it an incredibly interesting read. I'm so glad my mother recommended this book to me.

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood.” ― Daniel H. Burnham

“His weakness was his belief that evil had boundaries.” ― Erik Larson, The Devil in the White City

The Devil in the White City is a remarkable piece of narrative nonfiction. It masterfully weaves together the story of the World's Columbian Exposition (the Chicago World's Fair of 1893) with that of the serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes. It presents a contrast of white and black, achievement and horror, knowledge and ignorance, light and darkness, life and death. The alternating prose current of crazy and rational, evil and beautiful is a brilliant construct. Without the balance, 400 pages of either subject alone might be overwhelming. The architecture section is amazing, but doesn't strongly drive the narrative. The characters, like Daniel Hudson Burnham, Frederick Olmsted, Charles McKim, Louis Sullivan, and George Ferris, are impressive due to their drive, ego, and absolute certainty of success, perfectly capturing the Gilded Age's ego and excess.

Conversely, the story of Dr. Holmes can be almost too sick and twisted at times, requiring pauses. The book shares the same limits as Capote's In Cold Blood and Mailer's The Executioner's Song. Recreating a murder, understanding the victim and the murderer, especially when there's little or untrustworthy information, is a challenge. These narrative fictionalizations are necessary given the information limitations, but they are still fictions. We can never truly know what the victims thought or what Dr. Holmes was thinking. Larson admits this limit, which becomes a necessary facade that can be tolerated. Overall, while not a perfect book, being a bit too pop and loose with the Holmes facts, it gets close to Capote and Mailer when delving into fictionalized history but falls short of being a narrative master of murder.

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood.”
― Daniel H. Burnham





“His weakness was his belief that evil had boundaries.”
― Erik Larson, The Devil in the White City

3 "fascinating but somehow lacking" stars!

2015 Most Average of Average Award

Don't misunderstand me. I really liked this book to a certain extent. It made history accessible, but perhaps it was a bit too accessible and readable, which might have come at the expense of depth and some additional analysis.

This is a book that attempts to tie together (albeit rather loosely) the development and execution of the Chicago World Fair in the 1890s and a sociopathic doctor who was also a serial-killer. However, the two stories were not given equal treatment. At times, the emphasis on the design and development of the architecture of the fair overshadowed the story of the doctor, who seemed almost like an afterthought.

To Mr. Larson's credit, he managed to take a wealth of information and present it in an easily understandable style that resembled a very long and quite good Vanity Fair article. Nevertheless, as a reader, I was not entirely satisfied. The two stories were not balanced evenly, and sometimes the connections between them seemed rather loose and random.

All in all, though, I still enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Mr. Larson's works.

Always one to enjoy a little true crime, I had this book highly recommended to me by a very close friend.

Erik Larson explores not only the electric sentiment surrounding the World’s Fair in Chicago but also a sinister character lurking in the shadows. In 1890, Chicago was vying to host the World’s Fair. After a tough vote by Congress, it won the bid. Under the leadership of Daniel H. Burnham, the ‘World’s Columbian Exposition’ began its planning.

Meanwhile, Herman W. Mudgett, aka H. H. Holmes, arrived in Chicago. He had a medical background and sought to invest in local businesses. However, he was a man with a dark side, involved in insurance fraud and luring women.

As the fair’s opening neared, Burnham still needed a showstopper. After considering several options, he accepted Mr. Ferris’ idea of a massive wheel. With all the preparations, Burnham hoped everything would be ready by May 1, 1893.

Holmes, on the other hand, continued his evil deeds. He found a new woman to woo and had her help him prepare his hotel for the fair-goers. But his plans were far more sinister.

In the end, Larson offers a thrilling conclusion. The fair brought many wonders, but it also had its dark side. Holmes’ crimes were finally uncovered, and he was brought to justice. This book is a must-read for true crime lovers and those interested in history.

Kudos to Mr. Larson for a sensational depiction of this period. I can't wait to read more of his work.

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