I have a deep love for a particular book that has the remarkable ability to ignite my curiosity, compelling me to turn to Google in search of further details about the story. This very book had precisely that effect on me. I found myself drawn to Google Images, eager to explore the numerous pictures of the World's Fair. There is something truly captivating about poring over old pictures.

This book is truly excellent. If you have a penchant for non-fiction, I highly recommend it. What makes it even more interesting is that it reads like a mystery/thriller, adding an extra layer of excitement. However, I would caution against going to Google to look at pictures of Holmes. While it does bring up some interesting images, it also includes pictures of his "castle," which I found rather creepy.

All in all, this has been a great book to kickstart my year, and I am eagerly looking forward to delving into more works by this talented writer. I have no doubt that each new book will offer the same level of intrigue and entertainment.

Pre-review:

  “I was born with the devil in me,' [Holmes] wrote. 'I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing.”

Damn, it is exactly my type of thing! *jumps to read*




(Link: https://giphy.com/gifs/ursula-lecture...)


Actual review starts here:


Note: Buddy-read with DayDreamer .


Rating: one of the best books in my 2017 reading list' 20 sparkling stars: When you open this book, be prepared for the unimaginable from both good and evil. You'll be seduced by the magic and wonders of the glorious Chicago's World Fair (or the so-called 'White City') and the twisted, gruesome but intriguing Murder Castle! Let's dream big with Daniel Burnham and his merry band of American architects. Follow them through all the dramatic twists and turns that created the World's Columbian Exposition/Chicago's World Fair. There are so many dramas that you couldn't have imagined but actually took place during the construction of this massive event. Let's just think big! If you wanted to kill a lot of people for your own pleasure and also make a profit from your activities, why not build an entire building for the sole purpose of...murdering people just for the hell of it!? *evil grins*

  “His weakness was his belief that evil had boundaries.”
  

Plus, meanwhile in London, Jack the Ripper!


However, I have to admit that the parts of the book about the infamous H. H. Holmes are a bit flat compared with what had been written for Daniel Burnham and his merry band of architects. Holmes' tale reads like a dry true crime story. Don't get me wrong, Holmes' many deeds and his gruesome Murder Castle are still highly intriguing to read about. Still, I want more from his story even after I was finished with it. Here are some documentaries for H. H. Holmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPvOT..., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyMeT..., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drfRQ...


PS: and there seems to be a movie adaptation with Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio in it! Isn't it wonderful?




Chinese review (short):


This book is really good. On one hand, it tells the story of a serial killer who, around 1891, pretended to be an architect and built the first dream house in history mainly used for mass murder and robbery.


On the other hand, the famous architects in Chicago and even across the United States were also building the World's Columbian Exposition建筑群 like a dream palace, aiming to compete with the Eiffel Tower in Paris.


All the above are true stories, which are both curious and unexpected.

THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY [2004] By Erik Larson
My Review 4.0 Stars Out Of 5.0 Stars

I recently developed an interest in reading Erik Larson’s #1 National Bestseller and National Book Award Finalist “The Devil in the White City” with the subtitle “A Saga of Magic and Murder at the Fair that Changed America”. This non-fiction novel tells the true story of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and the crafty serial killer who exploited the magic and grandeur of the fair to lure his victims to their deaths. I was astonished to learn that it was released 20 years ago.

This was a popular non-fiction title on Goodreads, garnering well over half a million ratings, mostly positive. This might be partly due to the fact that this well-known story of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago was contrasted with the story of the infamous serial killer H.H. Holmes. Interestingly, Holmes was preying on women during the same period as the notorious “Jack the Ripper” in England. In the case of H.H. Holmes, he was gleefully murdering with impunity both on and off the expansive, fantastical fairgrounds of Chicago’s glorious extravaganza.

Larson weaves a richly researched novel of nearly 500 pages like a thrilling three-dimensional journey through a full-color picture of the Gilded Age in our history. I could almost hear the excited voices of the visitors to the fairgrounds. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show seemed right before my eyes, and I could almost feel the frenzied energy of the crowd. When the author incorporates the real-life characters who are now legendary inventors, entrepreneurs, politicians, and household names, it truly becomes a captivating narrative that takes you on a time travel to another era. My favorite references were to Thomas Edison, his role in lighting the fair, the colorful Buffalo Bill, and in my own case, the story of the Ferris Wheel, how it was the creation of one man’s genius and is now a part of our American culture. The story of how the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago was ultimately built and came to fruition was like a fairy tale. It is unfortunate that future generations are unable to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and stunning glory when it stood with a gate taking tickets to the Fair.

I mentioned at the beginning that I had become interested in reading this non-fiction work that immortalized the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago over 130 years ago. My curiosity was piqued by a recent book I read whose author had been inspired to write an award-winning book of poetry about the notorious Holmes. It was a win-win for me because Larson’s talented ability to write such beautiful prose allowed me to envision a monumental event through the vivid descriptions, real men and women from my school’s history books, and the glory of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

Most of us who are interested in true crime have heard the name H.H Holmes, and perhaps have done some research about his life and the horrific murders he committed mostly for the fun and challenge. Personally, I knew about him, but nothing specific or memorable. Obviously, I was aware of his house of horrors. But what I knew about this notorious serial murderer was just the tip of the iceberg. He was nicknamed “America’s First Serial Killer” and was active between 1891 and 1894. It is no surprise then that his most infamous crimes took place in Chicago around the time of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. He was born Herman Webster Mudgett, and I am not sure if matricide or patricide were part of his diabolical career.

He is widely known by his alias Dr. Henry Howard Holmes, or simply H.H. Holmes. There was little doubt that Holmes was a prolific murderer, but he was convicted and sentenced to death for only one murder, that of his business partner and accomplice Benjamin Pitezel. It is actually unknown how many men, women, and children Holmes murdered. He did confess to killing 27 people, but he was lying to the authorities as some of the people on his death list were still alive and probably looking forward to Holmes facing justice. This event occurred on May 7, 1896.

The true stories in Larson’s nonfiction novel are generally accepted as fact-based and not gruesome exaggerations or misinterpretations of the murderer’s methods or motives. In fact, the truth about his house of horrors near the Fairgrounds was quite interesting. On that point, it was perhaps just common sense if one took the time to really think about it. The house was huge and occupied an entire square block. The workmanship was poor and did not meet the building code, and probably not even close. Holmes hired men who would not be missed, and he used different crews on different parts of the house. Building materials and labor for the job were almost free. Holmes struck me first and foremost as a malignant narcissistic manipulator of both sexes, and in the business world, he was notorious for getting credit and then never paying. He was described as so charming and charismatic that he was constantly successful in keeping creditors at bay with the promise that he would pay another day. In my opinion, his mental agility must have been remarkable because of the number of swindles and con games he had going on at any given time. Holmes used branding to promote his dark and mysterious hotel as the “World’s Fair Hotel.”

It was easy to access the magic and allure of the Fairgrounds from his “torture palace.” Holmes only accepted young female guests at his hotel. Any man who inquired would be told that there were no rooms available. During the time that Holmes was active, there is no doubt that he used his hotel of horrors for murder, dismemberment, and either cremation in his 3,000-degree crematorium or dissolving dead bodies in acid solutions. Holmes had certain rooms or other areas (such as his vault) equipped with the ability to administer lethal gas. He was known to receive what could be considered a kickback on a number of the bleached skeletons of his victims, with some of the cosmetic touches paid to men who did such work.

Holmes was most interested in defrauding enough individuals and companies to amass a small fortune to buy legitimate businesses. His business dealings were constantly changing. Money, whether it was trying to hold onto it by stalling his creditors, getting more of it through fraudulent schemes, or stealing it from innocent daughters or widows, seemed to be his main motivation. Holmes was a ladies’ man, and women were attracted to him like bees to honey. He would first gain complete control of the lady’s assets. Then, depending on the number of “wives” he had at the time, he would either marry her or gas her to death.

The part of the truth that surprised me the most about this notorious murderer from the past is that he was a manipulator first, a talent that he focused on swindles and schemes most of the time. He did not fit the definition of a torture-murderer. In fact, he murdered the women for convenience after he had robbed them. Greed was his driving force, with an interesting, sick, and very sad exception.

Towards the end of his career as a criminal, Holmes left Chicago and involved his friend and accomplice in crime, Ben Pitezel, in an insurance scam. Holmes killed his friend and collected the insurance money. He then traveled to see the man’s wife, Carrie Alice Canning, and somehow convinced her to put three of her five children in his care. In fact, he already had 13-year-old Alice, who had been taken from her home to identify her father’s corpse. It was actually a matter of taking her home and then somehow getting two of her siblings, 9-year-old Nellie and 7-year-old Howard.

Frank Geyer, a PA Police Department Detective, was hired to find the three missing children. The reason why the children were taken completely escapes me. Geyer was able to track the movements but not catch up with Holmes to save any of the kids. This is just a brief account of what I read as a heartless and horrible case. It took on a new dimension of horror when the letters were discovered, several of them from Alice in particular, but Nellie had also written to their mother, missing her and wanting to come home. It is believed that he first murdered the two girls, stuffed them into a trunk, drilled a hole, and ran a gas line to suffocate them. They were later dismembered and buried in the basement of a house he had rented. He kept multiple houses at one time in a city, regardless of need. The little boy was found in another location, his small body dismembered and the parts burned. The little boy’s teeth and bone were found in the home’s chimney.

This was an exceptionally well-written novel by Larson, and very well researched. I enjoyed many parts of the heartfelt struggles that architects and builders endured to bring the monumentally beautiful 1893 World Fair to the resourceful and passionate people of Chicago. The author did not spare any details in fleshing out these visionaries and great talents of their day, including their changing mental and physical health. The undeniable fact is that a human parasite named “Herman Webster Mudgett” attached himself to it and took the lives of many innocent people.

It may seem strange for me to say, but I feel more heartbroken about the good girls who wrote those letters to their mother while they were being moved from place to place by the soulless Holmes. Naturally, the letters made them more human to me, but I mean because there was no obvious profit motive, sexual motivation, or any other reason that I can think of why Holmes would commit those three murders in particular. There were other similar cases noted in the text that raised the question of whether it was just a power trip or for his own sick amusement, just because he could.

A FASCINATING INSIDE PEEK AT THE BUILDING OF THE WHITE CITY AND THE MONSTER WHO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ITS BEAUTY AND MAGICAL APPEAL

2.5ish stars.

This is a thoroughly well-researched narrative non-fictional book. It contains several interesting yet unrelated accounts of different men who were connected in some way to Chicago's 1893 world's fair. It should be noted that the book's title is a bit misleading. Only around 40% of it is about the White City Devil, the serial killer H.H. Holmes. The other 60% includes detailed descriptions of the Columbian Exposition's creation, with a particular focus on the role of its chief architect, Daniel Burnham. However, much of it also focuses on Burnham's associates like John Root and Frederick Olmsted. There are also sideplots involving Patrick Prendergast, a delusional assassin, and Dean Geyer, a detective searching for three missing children believed to have been killed by Holmes. There is a lot going on.

The book was presented to me as a creepy and horrifying biography of Holmes, a prolific murderer not as immediately recognizable as other infamous serial killers like his contemporary Jack the Ripper. Imagine my confusion when much of it turned out to be painstakingly detailed explanations of the fair's planning process. For the first half of the book, I skimmed through the World's Fair chapters to get to the Holmes chapters. During the second half, I was more interested in the Burnham chapters, but it never stopped being jarring to shift between the two narratives.

It really does read like two separate books told in alternating chapters. Larson tries to justify the connection between Holmes and Burnham a couple of times, describing them as diametrically opposed men living in close proximity. Indeed, the arrival of the fair did provide ample opportunity for Holmes to prey on its visitors. Other than that, any argument to brand them as two sides of the same coin is rather weak. I can fully accept Holmes as the embodiment of evil, but Burnham wasn't a saint either. He was an ambitious man, dedicated to making the fair a spectacular marvel. While Holmes as an "artist" was depraved and sickening, Burnham's work wasn't necessarily for the Good of Mankind and was really more about his personal pride.

Ultimately, there is some impressive and often quite fascinating research, albeit presented somewhat dryly by Larson. Many readers have loved each of the narratives and found cohesion in their combination. Just be aware that if you're expecting the horror of the actual Devil in the White City, this book only partially fulfills that promise.

Posted in Mr. Philip's Library

So, there’s this intense scene in David Fincher's Zodiac. Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Robert Graysmith, visits the home of a suspected Zodiac killer. As Graysmith descends into the suspect’s basement, a palpable sense of dread fills the viewer. They wonder if he'll escape alive. Fincher expertly heightens the tension and claustrophobia, until Graysmith finally flees at the first opportunity.

Movies have used such tactics to frighten audiences before, and surely there will be more in the future. But until now, I haven't read a book that gave me the same feeling. That is, until I picked up this one.

H.H. Holmes was an extremely evil man. This con-man terrorized wayward women in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century and is one of history's greatest villains. Notorious as America's first serial killer, Holmes brutally murdered his way through the Windy City as it rose to prominence. However, due to the unfortunate timing of his killing spree, he'll always be linked to Chicago's finest moment, the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition.

Fortunately for Holmes, Chicago was in a sorry state. The city was known for its numerous missing persons, polluted river, and overpopulation, which attracted a man like Holmes with his insatiable appetite for murder. The perception of Chicago needed to change. So, W.H. Burnham and his friends lobbied hard to host a world's fair, hoping to compete with Europe, especially Paris and the Eiffel Tower. They believed a grand display of cultures from around the world would win the hearts of the masses.

The construction of the fair was far from easy. It came at a time when the country was financially unstable. Banks were foreclosing, executives were committing suicide, and those funding the fair were constantly worried about its progress. The location was less than ideal, and Burnham's associates and employees seemed to be constantly facing sickness and death.

While Holmes' killing spree and the fair are forever intertwined, I felt the constant switching between the two stories detracted from each one rather than enhancing the book as a whole. Larson's writing about Burnham's failures and struggles was sometimes riveting, but his detailed descriptions of the plants and shrubs on the fairgrounds made me lose interest.

The same can't be said for Holmes. The way his mind worked was extraordinary. He was far ahead of a seemingly inept police force. Because of the city's sordid state, Holmes regularly got away with murder. People vanished, and his standing in the community often meant his guilt was overlooked. He was a cunning bastard, always having an excuse, alibi, or reasonable explanation to cover his tracks. Even when he was finally caught, he continuously stumped the detectives. It seemed impossible to convince him of his own guilt.

Overall, this book is an outstanding achievement. Larson is an extraordinary talent, writing historical non-fiction in a way that's as engaging as a novel. I highly recommend it. Although I had some difficulty getting through the more architecture-focused chapters, Larson always managed to remind you just how improbable the whole affair was.

Utterly compelling. This phrase holds within it a power that is truly captivating. It has the ability to draw one in, to hold their attention firmly and refuse to let go. When something is described as utterly compelling, it means that it has an irresistible charm, an allure that is impossible to ignore.

It could be a book that keeps you up all night, turning the pages with bated breath, eager to discover what lies ahead. Or a movie that transports you to another world, making you feel as if you are a part of the story. Maybe it's a speech that moves you to tears or a painting that speaks volumes without uttering a single word.

Utterly compelling things have a way of making an impact, of leaving a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. They have the power to inspire, to motivate, and to change us in ways that we never thought possible. So the next time you encounter something that is utterly compelling, embrace it, let it consume you, and allow it to take you on a journey that you will never forget.

This was the very first Larson book that I had the pleasure of reading, and I was completely gobsmacked.

Oh, what a story it was! Based on the true happenings at the Chicago Exposition, it masterfully pulled together the elements of murder and mayhem right in the midst of the joyous celebration of the Fair.

The writing was excellent, and it was evident that Larsen had done extensive research.

Larsen has since gone on to write several more books, skillfully tying together two seemingly unrelated events into a cohesive and spellbinding story.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling and well-crafted narrative that combines history and mystery in the most captivating way.

So, if you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, look no further than this amazing work by Larson.

The book I just finished reading was truly something else.

\\n  4/5 Stars\\n



Jeez... Absolutely crazy



I had a basic knowledge of the World Fair in Chicago, but this book opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had no clue about the details it entailed, nor was I aware of all the events that took place during its construction and after its closure.

Larson has clearly done an extensive amount of research for this book. He has managed to compile his findings in a way that makes it read like a thrilling novel at times. There were moments when I was actually on the edge of my seat, scared by the events unfolding.

Learning about the ins and outs of the development of the World's Fair was utterly fascinating. So much time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears were poured into this massive undertaking. It was like a 19th-century version of the Fyre Festival fiasco, with everything that could go wrong actually going wrong. However, unlike the Fyre Festival, the World's Fair achieved a great deal of success. I loved discovering the various things that were introduced at the fair and are now a part of our daily lives. For example, learning about how Shredded Wheat was showcased was really interesting, especially since my father retired from a factory that still produces it. And seeing that Juicy Fruit was also there, as well as learning about the very first Ferris Wheel, was truly captivating.

The parts about the serial killer H. H. Holmes were extremely scary. Larson doesn't hold back in trying to convey to the reader just how awful this man was. Each chapter related to him was spine-chilling.

The only thing that prevented this book from getting a full 5 stars was the writing. To be fair, the writing towards the end was excellent. But the first half could be a bit of a struggle. Larson sometimes goes overboard with information about the setting up of the fair, and at times I found myself skimming through those parts. I also felt that his use of quotes was a bit excessive. Although I understand he is referencing actual letters, having pages filled with someone's quote could have been better presented by paraphrasing.

All in all, this was a solid read. I'm glad I'm delving more into non-fiction, as I can now truly see the appeal. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in historical events like the World's Fair or true crime stories. I firmly believe it would make a fantastic docu-series or even a television show.

I initially embarked on reading this book with the preconceived notion that I would not have any inclination towards it. However, to my great surprise, I found myself completely engrossed and unable to put it down. This book turned out to be an absolute page-turner, filled with compelling and intriguing content. It delved into a history that was hitherto unknown to me, opening up a whole new world of knowledge and understanding. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative style made it a truly captivating read. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what would happen next. It was as if I was being transported back in time, experiencing the events and emotions firsthand. This book has truly been a remarkable discovery, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in history or a thirst for knowledge.

The Devil in the White City is an enthralling non-fiction work that delves into the intertwined tales of two men.

On one hand, there's Daniel Burnham, the architect responsible for overseeing the construction of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This was a momentous event, the greatest fair in history, set to showcase the city's grandeur and progress.

On the other hand, there's H.H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer who saw the fair as a prime hunting ground for his victims. The contrast between the beauty and splendor of the fair and the darkness and depravity of Holmes' crimes is stark and creates a captivating tension that propels the narrative forward.

Larson's writing is engaging and well-researched, vividly bringing the events of the late 19th century to life. He offers valuable insights into the social and cultural context of the time, including the political and social climate of America, as well as the scientific and cultural advancements.

However, the book's structure, which jumps back and forth between the stories of Burnham and Holmes, may be a drawback for some readers. It can be jarring at times and disrupt the flow of the narrative.

Additionally, some may argue that the book sensationalizes the story of Holmes and his crimes. While Larson presents the facts in a sober and factual manner, the portrayal of Holmes as a monstrous figure may cross a line for some.

Overall, The Devil in the White City is a fascinating and well-written book that provides a unique perspective on an important moment in American history. It's a compelling read for those interested in the darker side of the American experience.

I could not get into this book.

I tried. I really did. I gave it another go, but still, no luck. Nope. Nada.

I understand that I might be the outlier here. I fully acknowledge that fact. However, my review has to reflect my own perception.

The part about the architectural aspect of building the Chicago World's Fair was just an extremely laborious read. It was way too wordy, making it a real slog to get through. It was also too tedious, with an overwhelming number of characters and far too many extraneous and non-essential details. The boring dialogue didn't help matters either.

The parallel plot about the serial killer at The World's Fair was there, but a large portion (if not most) of the narrator's perspective was fictionalized. The serial killer part wasn't documented, so it wasn't reliable or compelling at all.

I was so disappointed that I didn't like this book. It simply doesn't belong in the true crime genre. DNF.

There's a great deal that I found appealing about the book, yet there were also numerous aspects that I didn't care for. In the end, the things I liked outweighed those I didn't, so let's commence with the latter - the elements that irked me.

Firstly, it's evident that an enormous amount of research went into this volume. This is palpable as the author is painstakingly detailed with every single aspect. The book likely could have been shortened by a third and made more exciting and impactful had he or his editor performed their editorial duties more effectively. There were numerous individuals who were discussed yet played no role in advancing the narrative. They could and should have been eliminated. In fact, he perhaps should have penned a second book with all these additional facts. I would have read that too and probably enjoyed both even more.

Secondly, the heroic portrayal of Wild Bill Cody and Susan B Anthony - two well-known racists (although Cody was reportedly reformed later in life). While racism wasn't recognized as such back then, the writer could still have reported on their grandeur and celebrity without the glorifying tone employed each time he mentioned these two, similar to how he mentioned Teddy Roosevelt - simply as a matter of fact. Or at the very least, I would have appreciated some mention or indication that the writer was aware of their racism - the recessional would have been a perfect place for it. Maybe he didn't know, but given the extensive research he did for the book, I'd be astonished if that were true.

Next, my most significant objection - he recreated many scenes for our imagination, presumably based on true witness accounts and records. However, there are numerous scenes where he clearly took artistic liberties and assumed people's feelings, since only the victims could truly tell us what they were experiencing (like the monologues running through their minds about how Holmes would react once he realized his "accidental" mistake of trapping them in a room, for example), and none of the victims actually survived to confirm this. It was the same when he narrated Holmes' own deepest thoughts, motivations, and feelings, though it's possible he uncovered some of these in his research, but somehow, I'm not convinced all of it was from his research. While it makes for engaging storytelling, it makes me question the authenticity of the rest of the book.

Lastly, in terms of editing and embellishment, I personally would have preferred smoother transitions between the two main storylines (Holmes and Burnham, who I believe was really the primary supporting character in the book, along with everyone else). I'd be following one story, enjoying large portions of it, and then have to switch to the other - one full of dark evil and the other full of minutiae and stress. It was difficult to stay focused.

Now, onto what I liked about the book.

There were numerous little stories that were actually charming and didn't detract from the rest of the book but rather enhanced it - like the impact of the fair on Helen Keller and the man who invented the Braille typewriter, the Disney family, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Baum, and others, as well as the agricultural, architectural, and technological inventions and innovations that have touched much of our daily lives in the US. These were nice tidbits that the book could have done without but which added a touch of allure.

All the dialogue he recreated, based on (I assume) actual records since they were being quoted. The way he did it could have been dull, but he crafted the story around the quotes so that it was an actual retelling that will surely make it much easier to adapt into a mini-series (Martin Scorsese is in production).

The photographs were also a plus.

And his own admission in his notes about how he wrote the scenes for Holmes was interesting.

There's one thing I couldn't understand. I know beauty is subjective, but he kept describing Holmes as handsome so frequently that I expected to see someone extremely handsome in a Hollywood sense when I googled him. You'll have to do it for yourself. I find nothing at all appealing about his physical appearance. So again, I find myself questioning the author's judgment.