Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 8/21/2008 + 1177 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This was a fascinating read! The book told the story of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 (called the White City) and the sordid story of the serial killer who used it as an opportunity. Both stories are interesting and made this a real page-turner. The main story was about the World's Fair and its construction, setbacks, etc. So many "new" things came out of this fair including the use of alternating electric current, the Ferris Wheel (built to rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris), Cracker Jacks, Shredded Wheat, Columbus Day, etc. Walt Disney's father, Elias, helped build the White City -- Disney's Magic Kingdom may well be a descendent. The discriptions of the magnitude of the fair makes me wish I could have been there. Then there was the story of H.H. Holmes, a serial killer that used the fair to lure victims to his horrific hotel called "The Castle." Holmes may have killed as many as 200 people, mostly young unsuspecting women. What motivated Holmes is a mystery, but he is considered one of America's earliest serial killers. Holmes is mentioned in Caleb Carr's excellent novel, "The Alienist". Overall, I would highly recommend this book.

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