Just finished "Devil in the White City" - thoughts?

[Bullwinkle925]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Learned a great deal - fantastic glimpse into the 'yesteryear' of America. Was engrossed with the serial killings.

[mucifer]

1. yeah it was a good read.

[MADem]

2. What is it about? Fiction, nonfiction, crime, drama, humor? NT

[Bullwinkle925]

3. Non-Fiction -

Author is Erik Larson.

It is about the building of the Columbian World's Fair in Chicago in the 1890's.
The story is told from the standpoint of those involved in bringing the fair to Chicago and getting it built - all the while interspersed with the story of a serial-killer at the same time.

[MADem]

5. Sounds good!! NT

[Dora]

4. It held me captive.

I thought it was a wonderful book. I read it just before I visted Chicago for the first time, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the city. I think the author did a wonderful job of reconstructing historical artifacts into a spellbinding narrative. The politicking behind the World's Fair, the poverty, the excesses, the cultural milieu (is that the right word to use?)... it was all handled magnificently.

Oh, and it totally creeped me out.

[Bullwinkle925]

6. I know - same here.

I'm anxious now to go to Chicago and tour the 2 buildings of Burnham's that are still existing. Might even do a graveyard tour.

The more things change - the more they stay the same, eh?
I'm surprised at the amount of 'disappearences' that went un-investigated at Holmes' hotel. But then, the thought of a serial-killer wasn't even considered at that time.

[Marlie]

7. I loved it!

My Mom and Dad came from the "back of the yards" and my dad worked at the
stockyards. When I was a very little girl he took me over but luckily, I
didn't have the pleasure of witnessing any slaughters. Very interesting history
and the serial killer aspect was stunning. Isn't it amazing how much money was
spent and the work involved, then the whole thing was torn so quickly. So many
names in the book were so familiar to me. Disney's father worked to build
it, thus came Disneyland from his son. Pretty amazing stuff and very interesting.

[RJRoss]

8. Erik Larson

is a great writer of non-fiction. I highly recommend "Isaac's Storm" about the Galveston hurricane of 1900. "Devil in the White City" is one of the most exhaustively-researched books I have ever read. Great discussions of architecture, civic planning, a wonderful glimpse of Chicago nearing the end of the 19th Century.