About this title: The story of two men's obsessions with the Chicago World's Fair, one its architect, the other a murderer. "The Devil in the White City" draws the reader into a time of magic and majesty, made all the more appealing by a supporting cast of real-life characters, including Buffalo Bill, Theodore Dreiser, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Edison, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, and others.
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Description: Very Good. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Fair. 0609608444 READABLE CONDITION ALL PAGES INTACT, COVERS HAVE SOME WEAR. HAS MINOR WRITINGS INSIDE. EX LIBRARY. (STOCK#: NOENN-7A1) read more
Description: Acceptable. Book is in good reading condition. Cover has wear at edges and corners, and may have creases. Spine has wear at edges and creases. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780375725609ISBN:0375725601
Description: Good. Used Condition-GOOD can be a well cared for Book that is in great condition to a Book that may show some signs of wear. GOOD Books sometimes are permanently marked; have some spine or page creases; exibit signs of aging or an ExLibrary copy. ** Sometimes grease pencil or permanent marking on cover. May contain limited notes and or highlighting. 100% Satisfaction guaranteed on all purchases. ** SHIPS FROM USA-Domestic Delivery takes 5-14 days ** read more
"It's the great 1893 World's Fair, Chicago's fourth anniversary celebration of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America, the fair that brought us the Ferris wheel, Annie Oakley, and Francis Bellamy's now altered and much debated Pledge of Allegiance. It brought out the best in the architects and engineers whose ambitious plans met with daunting challenges, and the laborers who risked life and limb to bring their plans to fruition. It also provided victims for a cunning killer, the Ted Bundy of the times, Dr. H.H. Holmes. As the White City dazzled the world, Dr. Holmes dazzled young women lured to the excitement and opportunity of the big city, many of whom inexplicably disappeared from the hotel rooms he selectively rented to them, as well as several he married. Holmes didn't limit his murderous proclivities to women; he killed a few men and children along the way. He was as monstrous as architect Daniel H. Burnham was noble. Erik Larson chronicles the lives of these two men in a brilliant juxtiposition, a delight for history buffs and anyone interested in architecture or true crime."
"I don't usually like historical fiction but I loved this one- it reads more like a novel. There were a few brief dull parts but the book was quite engaging overall. The author does an excellent job of leading up to several climaxes of the fair. The ending was too abrupt for my taste, but overall it was a superb book."
"I read a few reviews about this book criticizing the book for being more about the white city and less about the devil and I almost didn't finish the book thinking the book wouldn't be that much about Holmes. I'm so glad I didn't listen.
I've always had a some vague fascination with the World Fair and was pleasantly delighted to find out how much of our world gets its roots from the Chicago World Fair: our neoclassic bank building styles, city planning, labor union reformations, and most importantly modern theme parks (thank you!). I think it would have been fascinating to attend the world fair and see electricity in all its glory for the first time, to experience the fireworks shows over the lake, and see all the new technology of our greatest age of scientific innovation. Some new products showcased at the world fair: Cracker Jack popcorn, shredded wheat, hot air balloons, Kodak cameras, the electric chair, zippers, and telephones. Some people in attendance: Helen Keller, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Thomas Edison, Buffalo Bill, Woodrow Wilson, and Susan B. Anthony. What a time. It would certainly make you feel patriot knowing the US had upstaged Paris, and without New York or any of the eastern cities. And Larson did a good job of making the construction of the fair, the magic of its duration, and its lasting impact exciting.
Sure Howard Holmes, or Herman Mudgett, may not have had anything to do with the world fair, but he was in Chicago at the time preying on its visitors so he adds to the ambiance of the time. A story about the world fair would not be complete without him and it is his rightful place to be secondary in the story, or at least on an even plane. That's not to say I didn't want more of the Holmes chapters but there is so little known about him. As America's first serial killer, how come he is forgotten when Jack the Ripper terrorizing England at the same time is infamous? That's because Holmes was such a master at deception that nobody really knows exactly whom he killed and how. Up until the end, he was still playing with authorities, and the public, laughing that nobody knew the truth. Serial killers want to be famous these days but Holmes had nobody to upstage (other than his English counterpart who was never found) and was satisfied with knowing he had pulled one over on everyone. It would be nice if more were known about Holmes and his Castle of Terror. Without a lot of concrete information but much speculation, I thought Larson did a good job of giving us an accurate picture of Holmes (like I would know) and presenting the gory details without being disgusting but still showing us how disturbing the events were. And I enjoyed how his story was weaved between the pressure to get the fair done on time. Both stories were fascinating, well researched, intriguingly written and I'm glad I finished the read."
"Although there is a minimum amount of fiction added to keep the reader in suspense and create a full and complete story, this book is a dynamic piece. As readers of history know that in and of itself is a huge accomplishment. The contrast of good+light+creative versus evil+dark+destructive is superbly constructed keeping the overall adventure a positive one. The dark and evil element is all the more tangible because of the historical reality of the events. The creation of so many positive innovative solutions and inventions of the exposition sustains the reader through the dark element and in the end leaves the reader inspired."
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