Read what people think about The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, and write your own review.
The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
by Erik Larson
Hardcover: Feb 2003,
447 pages.
Paperback: Feb 2004,
464 pages.
Rated of 5
by me the devil in the white city
I thought this book was very well written, though I thought too much time was spent developing the setting. I would have rather followed H. H. Holmes' plotline for a greater portion of the book.
Rated of 5
by lilac Title well chosen
As a true crime fan, I picked this up initially as H.H. Holmes is billed as the first serial killer in the US. How could I resist this tease? But as I read, the killings became less important (not to belittle the awful lost of life) and the building of the fair took on a life of it's own. The fair became a character, more than a backdrop for this well told story. I was enthralled by the images and history Erik Larsen shared. This book was a jumping off point for interlibrary loan of many other books dealing with the fair itself. I loved the weaving of Holmes story and the fair. H. H.Holmes certainly was an evil man, handsome, smart, and charismatic like many serial killers. If I met him, I'm positive I would have liked him and that's what is truly scary.
If you can get your hands on the DVD H.H. Holmes: America's first serial killer / Waterfront Productions presents a John Borowski film ; producer, John Borowski ; writer, John Borowski ; director, John Borowski, it's worth a watch.
I had read Isaac's Storm (Larsen) before this for a book discussion in our library. We all agreed we liked the author's writing but didn't care about the people as much as we thought we should in Isaac's Storm. Thunderstruck is on my bookshelf waiting for my the right reading moment. Mr. Larsen is top-notch on my list.
Rated of 5
by Keri
The Devil In The White City iworks on a number of levels. For the history buff, it sheds some light on an era that is eclipsed in history classes by the America of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the World Wars. Larson's descriptions of the technological and architectural legacies of the Chicago World's Fair alone might not compel the reader to embrace this book.
The author has added delightful human motivation. The colossal egos associated with the men who built "the dream" and, indeed, with the entire populace of Chicago (out to prove that Chicago can rival New York in sophistication and "out-Eiffel Eiffel") make this a wonderful anthropological study of East Coast VS. Midwest sensibility.
On top of that, Larson has thrown in a historical serial killer about whom, unbelievably enough, most of his readers have probably never heard.
Chapter by chapter, Larson weaves these threads beautifully so that the reader sees the connection between Chicago's preoccupation with the Fair and a madman allowed to literally "go to town" unnoticed for the Fair's duration.
"Devil" is a fabulous read and it's well-researched to boot.
Rated of 5
by joe alley
a bit too much detail,especially concerning the fair. it became tedious reading.however since this was a book being read for discussion by a library 'reading club' i read it all!ja
Rated of 5
by JC
Found this book to be very intriguing for the concurrent plots. A thriller-diller on one hand and a seemingly impossible tale of politics and human endeavor on the other. Introduced me to turn-of-century figures that still resonate today. History brought alive. Only disappointment - coming to the end.
Rated of 5
by Jack
Some books just can't keep you going on. I found myself lost with the historical facts and the lack of dialogue.
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of 5
by me 
of 5
by lilac 
of 5
by Jack 
