The Devil in the White City

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I loved seeing all the things that wouldn’t have ever existed without the World’s Fair, and the bits about Holmes were fascinating, too. Informative and also entertaining, a great read.

Another well written, intriguing, addictive book from Erik Larson. I don't know what it is about his writing style, but something about it seems to pull me in and never wants to let me go. It's almost like being hypnotized.

I mostly wanted to read this because of the recounting of the crimes by H.H. Holmes, since I enjoy reading and learning about serial killers, but I even found the descriptions of all the struggle and hard work of those creating the Chicago World's Fair to be fascinating. While I knew of the fair, and that the Ferris Wheel had been created to out do the Eiffel Tower, I had no idea so many products we know today first debuted at the fair. Learn something new every day!

At first I did think the two subjects of this books seemed very conflicting and I wasn't to sure how well it would work out, but I have to say, it allowed for some serious swings on the emotion spectrum. One second you are cheering on those working on the fair (or are saddened over their losses during the process) and the next you are cringing when a new woman is introduced into H.H. Holmes' life, because you know things just aren't going to turn out well.

My one complaint is that Holmes' story seemed to be overshadowed at times by the fair, but there are other books on Holmes so I suppose that if you really want an in depth look at his life, there are other sources out there.

Interesting but looooong and dense

Even better a decade later- I feel like I appreciated the parts about Chicago and the world’s fair more this time around. I feel like in high school I was reading so much of it for the literary devices and analysis rather than the content. Those devices do add a lot to the story, but this time around I really took in the drama of each chapter and the storytelling being done. Just fascinating.

couldn't finish

Pretty excellent at parts but perhaps could have been edited down... very interesting, though!