I've been meaning to read this book for years, I'm glad I finally got around to it! This year we are celebrating architect Daniel Burnham's plan for Chicago, which ensured the lakefront remained the gem it is today. Before that, however, he made his name by designing and building the Columbian Exposition -- a world's fair that was, at the time, the greatest ever. The impetus behind the fair was a strong national desire to eclipse the Paris Exposition, where the Eiffel Tower was the marvel of the show. By the time politicians all agreed and funding and location was secured, Burnham had only about two years to construct his vision, which featured among other things, the first Ferris Wheel.

Meanwhile, nearby a young, charismatic man changes his name to H.H. Holmes, begins down the path of a swindler only to wind up a notorious serial killer, more insidious than his English contemporary Jack the Ripper, as these weren't random acts of violence, but calculated plots involving people he knew that had trusted him.

The Devil in the White City narrates the two stories (and a third involving an attorney who went off his nut and assassinated the mayor) to highlight the dichotomy of the era. On one hand, there was the monumental accomplishment of the fair, bringing world renown to the city and country. On the other, there was the shadowy "black city" of what was and what was yet to come -- corruption, violence, soul-sucking industry, and poverty. It reads like a fascinating novel -- yet it all really happened. I'm interested in reading more about Burnham -- Holmes? Not so much. There aren't many characters in history more fundamentally evil. ( )

I knew virtually nothing about the Chicago World's Fair before I started this book. And, honestly, I didn't think I cared. Was I ever wrong!

Erik Larson paints a vivid picture of what Chicago was like in the late 1800s. He weaves the personal tales of the architects who designed the fair into the story with meticulous research. During the time of the fair, a prolific serial killer lived and worked in Chicago. His incredible story is told here as well.

Larson is an excellent writer and kept me involved throughout the book. I found the style sort of a cross between nonfiction and historical fiction. The "characters" came to life on the pages, as if I was living during this crazy period in history. ( )

This is really two books. One is the story of Daniel Burnham and the construction of the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago world's fair. The other is about serial killer H. H. Holmes. Other than time and place, the two stories have almost nothing in common, but this doesn't distract from the book as a whole. This is nonfiction written like a novel, with vivid details and memorable characters. I was completely sucked in, perhaps all the more because I knew it was true. I never realized just how much modern popular culture stems from this fair. The story of Holmes was fascinating as well, to the point where I'm kind of surprised I'd never heard of him. Definitely recommended to anyone with an interest in this time period. ( )

Larson brings this period in America's history to life with his gripping story-telling. He relates the parallel stories of Burnham, the architect of the White City, and Holmes, the "Devil" who murders young women and children in and around the time of the World Fair. Very well-researched and well-written! ( )

I really liked this book (though some on my one book selection committee did not agree and found it a bit of a bore.) Architects, Chicago World's Fair, serial murderer, what more could i ask for?
The time is Chicago at the turn of the century and Larson interweaves the story of the architects designing the World's Fair buildings with H. Holmes, a serial murderer running amuck in the city. Oddly enough i found the architecture stuff more interesting with the serial murder... ( )