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9.3k reviews for:
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Erik Larson
3.87 AVERAGE
9.3k reviews for:
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Erik Larson
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
informative
slow-paced
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
I was once tricked into learning about architecture
Excellent read! I picked this up while away for the weekend and without a book. I do like true crime so I was already familiar with the story of HH Holmes, but the detail and story telling is far more impressive when juxtaposed against it's historical background. Not sure I'd recommend this to particularily squeamish or timid types. I loved the description of Chicago in 1893, celebrities, personalities, the recession (I remember reading about in history, but had nothing to tie it too - much more is made of the '30's).
It makes the events of 100+ years ago seem modern and believable.
It makes the events of 100+ years ago seem modern and believable.
I liked this book just fine, so I'd probably give it 3.5 stars. The writing is good. My problem is that the title doesn't quite fit. "The Devil in the White City" makes me think it's mostly about the "devil." Instead, it's 70% about the "white city" of the Chicago fair in 1893, focusing mostly on architects and the context of the fair. Only about 30% is about the "devil" H. H. Holmes. The author seems hamstrung by the lack of concrete details about the murders because Holmes went to great lengths to destroy the evidence. As a result, the book is instead filled out with details about the exposition, which are a snooze fest imo, unless you're into narratives of triumphant and unexamined capitalist excess.
Right book, wrong time! Great story but I just could not get into it!
I was recommended this book strongly, but my feelings are mixed. The devil is in the details, and the author spares few. I appreciate the breadth of the research, but the constantly rotating mix of characters made it difficult for me to feel attached. That said, it does well capture the bustle and clamor that is so deeply rooted in the story itself.
dark
sad
fast-paced
Entertaining book, but takes way too many liberties. Its a red flag when the author emphasizes in the prologue that quotes specifically are real.
Pretty disturbing read with lighthearted talk about the Chicago World Fair.
Pretty disturbing read with lighthearted talk about the Chicago World Fair.
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
slow-paced