Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
kyyadifan avatar reviewed on + 60 more book reviews


I had heard how fantastic this book was and couldn't wait to read it. Even though it is amazing to discover the impact the Chicago's World Fair had on America and the rest of the world, it became tedious reading about the architecture and building of the fair from start to finish. The author definitely leaves nothing out when describing the development and building of the White City. For the most part the author alternated chapters between Burnham (the architect) and Holmes (the serial murderer), and I eventually found myself starting to skim the chapters on Burnham, as they were so detailed it took a long time to move from one aspect of the fair to another. I was disappointed in the lack of facts leading to the discovery and arrest of Holmes, and his eventual execution. If you would rather learn the background of the Chicago's World Fair, then this is definitely the book for you; if you prefer the true crime aspect of the book, I suggest checking somewhere else.