Cassie H. (Irishcoda) reviewed on 4/18/2006 + 88 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I had no idea there was a serial killer in Chicago during the World's Fair in 1893. They weren't called serial killers then, but that's exactly what "Dr. H.H. Holmes" was. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson was very interesting in that the author alternated his chapters between a good man (architect Daniel Burnham) and a bad one (Holmes). I have to admit, though, that if it wasn't for the lure of the serial killer's story, I probably would have passed the book over. I wonder if that's why Larson twined the two men's stories together? I picked up some interesting trivia about the fair that I either forgot or never knew. Among them: the ferris wheel (a gigantic version!) was introduced at the fair. It was called "The White City" because all the buildings were painted white--and what an effect the sun had on them! Cracker Jack and shredded wheat and Juicy Fruit gum made their debut at the fair! But the book wasn't about trivia. It was about the dream and determination of a man (Burnham) to build the greatest world's fair ever and to "out Eiffel" the Eiffel Tower. It was about the frustrations and set backs and tragedies he endured along the way. Every other chapter (almost) was devoted to the outwardly charming but inwardly soul-dead man impersonating a doctor/pharmacist. He was an architect of sorts too--a castle chamber of horrors he built and to which he lured, tortured and killed at least 9 people. Some say he may have killed up to 200!

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