The Devil in the White City

danielle_henry_6987 shared a tip "Outstanding!!! I both lived in Chicago and grew up south of it and had no idea the cultural history of the world’s fair that took place there, nor that there was a serial killer killing women at the same time while the fair was going on. I learned so much. So well written. My jaw is still on the floor. One of the houses the serial killer lived at was down the street from where I used to live! 🙀"

Jackie.Davidson shared a tip "Great historical perspective of the colorful characters and impressive effort required to put on Chicago World’s Fair (the White City). Oh, and there was a serial killer (the Devil) operating nearby at that time. Really just two separate stories with chapters interspersed along the timeline that also included lots of famous historical figures and events."

jacci_mathews-brown shared a tip "This is one of those books you start reading and have no idea what it is all about. Highly recommend this story about a murdering pharmacist in the era of Chicago preparing for its World Fair. I LOVED THIS BOOK! The story was great, but the history was something I had never been taught or read about. A def add to your “ to read list”!"

tristine_fleming_2860 shared a tip "Best damn book you'll ever read! As a Tour Guide in Chicago, I found that Larson captured the heart and soul of the city. Entwined with two polar opposite stories that tragically connect, it's hard to imagine the horror that took place during such a grand event."

jennifer_barnes_4767 shared a tip "Just devoured this after purchasing yesterday. With the release of The Devil in Me by Dark pictures I piqued an interest in H.H. Holmes. Excited to read more by Larson. A great writer who makes Nonfiction feel like fiction."

jb_williams shared a tip "Chicago is a city built on fascinating characters and ‘events’. My daughter moved there so I started ‘researching’ - this book captures so much of the spirit and history in a narrative approach that locked me up for hours until I finished."

emilee_rollins shared a tip "Probably one of my favorite books now. My dad recommended it to me. He’s a huge history geek, I am not but the history in this book caught my attention each page. I love love love the ending! Definitely recommend reading!"

jonathan_4800 shared a tip "I thought the vivid description of the hope and visual brilliance of the exposition made the darkness of the killer stand out in sharp relief"

sarah_moore_2078 shared a tip "Absolutely fascinating history of the Chicago World’s Fair (with a special focus on architecture), interwoven with a brutal true crime tale. A+++"

iPeytqn shared a tip "I just finished reading the Love hypothesis and The maze runner. Those are really good books I don’t have any other suggestions really I’ve read really good books but forgot what they were called"

caitie_crosetto shared a tip "I hated reading this for school but years later I look back and recall this book with fond memories. It sticks with you. Very interesting read, especially if you are into history of the US"

chantell_green shared a tip "I love all of Erik Larson’s books and can’t wait to read his latest. This book was the first of his books I read and I was hooked! Based on a true story, most of us don’t know that America had its own version of Jack the Ripper at the turn of the 20th Century and surrounded by the glitz and glamour of the Worlds Fair in Chicago which I imagine to be as exciting as The Great Exhibition in London about 40 years earlier. A riveting read!"

AT_Leigh shared a tip "Honestly, it’s kind of dry despite having really fascinating subject matter. If you don’t mind that though it’s very well written and provides A LOT of depth into the World’s Fair as an event itself as well as the murders that took place. History and crime buffs will LOVE this."

alexandra_turner_3647 shared a tip "Sos sorry for the late reply, but yeah I liked him. The book definitely reads as a narrative which makes it hard to put down. However the content made me put it down and walk a way from time to time."

elizabeth_avalos shared a tip "This book was a little slow for my taste and at times the details are overkill. However I loved learning about the history of Chicago and how events in this time shaped the city today."

sarah_3437 shared a tip "I read it for school but really enjoyed it, I’m considering adding it back to my list as I have forgotten the minor details. Would say it is worth the read!"

kimberly_kiley shared a tip "Came here for the HH Holmes story, but stayed for the World’s Fair. What an incredible way of story telling. Absolutely loved it!"

designer_bazan shared a tip "I must admit I don't remember the ending. It was a book I read for my design class and it's been quite a while. I remember enjoying it and analyzing how the two stories/characters kind were one in the same and merged together."

shelby_erickson shared a tip "I'm not really sure why this said I recommended this book. I haven't even read it yet. When I do, I will let you know what I think of the ending!"

stephanie_hayes_2876 shared a tip "Great history lesson of the World Fair in Chicago and also the start of a time when women left home to strike out on their own. Many were killed by this serial killer and their families were left thinking they simple disappeared."

jeffrey_alan_5378 shared a tip "It’s been so long since I read it. I always think the build up is amazing and often times I feel the endings are anti-climactic. Even the DaVinci Code ending was a let down for me. I loved Devil in the White City because I’m from a Chicago and some of the places in the book are still here."

melissa_haner shared a tip "This is the only book I've read from Erik Larson. I did find it very information heavy which is good but I find that can be a bit dry at times. Sometimes I'm just not in the mindset for it. Very interesting read though."

autumn_sprite shared a tip "I read it freshman year for english, i honestly thought the burnham chapters were dry. But the Holmes chapters were great, and you can skip the burnham chapters without being confused"

kendra_0411 shared a tip "Had no clue what I was getting into when I started this book. Two contiguous stories. One about the construction of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the other about a serial killer who used the fair as his own personal “meat market”. I enjoyed both stories but the true crime part of me enjoyed reading about Dr. H. H. Holmes a bit more! #nonfiction #drama #crime"

leslie_2213 shared a tip "Might be the best book I ever read. Actually read it again! Very engaging details! I absolutely loved learning about that challenges associated with the World’s Fair. Have read all of the Larson books. He’s that good."

bianca_santos_848 shared a tip "An engaging book that I read from a few years ago. Unfortunately true (regarding the crimes), the parallels between this devil and Chicago's growth as a city were well described here."

kelsey_davis_7105 shared a tip "Got into it for the murder, stayed for the architecture. Who knew architecture could be just as riveting as the shenanigans of one of America’s best known serial killers? This book has become one of my favorites of all time. The worlds fair sounds like something plucked from fantasy, and I suppose that was the point. Also, Ferris wheels! #iykyk"

joan_philip shared a tip "Excellent nonfiction book about the Chicago’s worlds fair and the serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims. I will definitely read more of Eric Larson’s books."