“This really made me delve into the buildings and photos available online and in other books. The garden design as well as the buildings were fascinating for me.”
“This was a bit dry at times but it is also a fascinating look at American history. It almost makes you feel that you have missed out on seeing some spectacular sights.”
“I also found the serial killer plot my motivation to continue reading, although the history was interesting. I must have done too much "skimming" during the details of the fair, because I just finished and can't for the life of me figure out what happened to Holmes' first wife. Help!”
“I have to admit that it was the information on Herman W. Mudgett/H.H. Holmes that attracted me to this book and not the Chicago Exposition. I was surprised to find that both were fascinating and it also introduced me to Erik Larson. What a great writer! Who knew that architecture could be so interesting? I recommend both his Isaac's Storm & Thunderstruck.”
“The book has a great start; but fell flat at the end. However, it is a great piece on Chicago history. I thought it a bit overrated.”
“this book is a nonfiction book everything in this book has been based completely on real things that happened in chicago”
“The economy strife...the country was going through economic hell during the time of this 'World Exposition' in Chicago. Banks were closing, insurance fraud, and people were losing their jobs.”
“Well, i am being forced to read this book as a summer assignment, for a college prep class im taking. I am not really enjoying it so far, but then again i have only read the first 30 pages. After every 30 pages we are assigned another question to answer and i cant figure this one out. What current social issue is this does this book relate to? i thought about recession and how all the construction and how most of it cant be paid for, but i wasn't sure. Can I get some insight please? ”
“I had to read this for one of my college history classes and I have to admit, this is the first book I enjoyed that I was forced to read. Normally I don't care much for reading history textbooks (pretty sad for a history education minor huh? ^^ ) but this kept me intrigued He told everything with as much accuracy as possible but told it as though, to me anyway, it was fiction. I admit that it was slow going in some places, but you find that with almost every book out there. I just know I learned a lot from this book for my class that I don't think I would have without it. That's all that matters to me, if I learned something.”
“crap.”
