-
This is the way to learn history.
“This is a book with two stories. One is the Chicago World"s Fair, 1892, and the men who created it. The second is of Henry H. Holmes, serial killer. Larson does an amazing job weaving two true separate stories into one book.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-12-15.
Daniel Burnham and his partner, John Root, Chicago's leading architects, were chosen to design the Chicago's World Fair. It was Burnham's responsibility to acquire other national architects, labor, and money to build the Fair in less than three years so that it could open in October to celebrate Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World. The book explains all the work and hardship that was needed to pull this off. The story describes not only the politics behind the project, but that of construction, weather, economy and industrialization. The Fair brought many important people and characters to Chicago, including Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show. It also was the beginning of many foods and inventions that we still have today: Juicy Fruit Gum, Cracker Jacks, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Shredded Wheat, AC electricity to light our homes and streets, and where would a carnival be today without a Midway and a ferris wheel.
Henry H. Holmes, a young doctor from the East Coast, moves to Chicago after leaving his wife. He purchases a drug store then builds a hotel across the street for the upcoming Fair. Larson delves into Holmes past from his early childhood to that of a young man. Holmes was a psychotic, satanic, charming man who lured many young women into his life and to their brutal deaths. His house of horrors was built by men he would fire to not only avoid having to pay them, but so that they would not be suspicious of what he was doing. He owed many people and businesses money yet he could manipulate them out of collecting what was their due.This was the United States Jack the Ripper.
This is the way to learn history. ” -
1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
History that reads like a novel. Amazing!!!
“This book is a book about history that is so beautifully written and incredibly descriptive, that it reads like a novel. You might think that reading about the Chicago World's Fair that took place in the late 1800s would not be interesting, but you would be very, very wrong. The story of the planning, building and running of the fair is chock full of intrigue as well as a plethora of little known facts that will leave you saying "I never knew that" more than a dozen times. Truly interesting stuff. Additionally, the author writes with such flair that he brings this period of history to life, allowing the reader to see (and even smell - unfortunately) what life was like during this period. As icing on this exceptional cake, Larson adds the plot line of the recounting of the activities of a serial killer who set up shop to coincide with the fair - - thus adding a horror story to the mix. Simply amazing!”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-12-13. -
An absolute must-read!
“One of the greatest works of historical research around, and a hell of a fun read too!”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-12-05. -
0 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Overrated
“For the most part, this a painstakingly researched, tortuous account about a big construction project. Read it at your peril, because it's as dull as it sounds. The author supplemented his main storyline with a completely unrelated tale about the serial killer next door. If this sounds disjointed, it's because it is. Ultimately, these two accounts can't be reconciled and aren't written for the same demographic-- if you're hoping to read about a serial killer, keep in mind that you also have chapter after chapter about construction materials and landscaping to look forward to. Meh.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-12-05. -
3 of 3 members found this review helpful.
Disappointing
“After reading Devil in the White City, I am very shocked by all the great reviews it has received. I found the book very slow, tedious, and repetitive. Unless you are an architecture buff, the details about the planning and building of the fair are long and slow. The story of Holmes was very repetitive. Also, I became very tired of hearing over and over again about Olmstead's aching teeth. Finally, the book wasn't particularly well written, although the author seems to love his large vocabulary (or just a great thesaurus). Ouch! This might be harsh, but if it wasn't for it being a book club selection, I wouldn't have wasted my time.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-12-01.
”
