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The Devil in the White City

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The Devil in the White City

By: Erik Larson
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

One was an architect. The other a serial killer. This is the incredible story of these two men and their realization of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, and its amazing 'White City'; one of the wonders of the world.

The architect was Daniel H. Burnham, the driving force behind the White City, the massive, visionary landscape of white buildings set in a wonderland of canals and gardens.

The killer was H. H. Holmes, a handsome doctor with striking blue eyes. He used the attraction of the great fair—and his own devilish charms—to lure scores of young women to their deaths.

While Burnham overcame politics, infighting, personality clashes and Chicago's infamous weather to transform the swamps of Jackson Park into the greatest show on Earth, Holmes built his own edifice just west of the fairground. He called it the World's Fair Hotel.

In reality it was a torture palace, a gas chamber, a crematorium.

These two disparate but driven men are brought to life in this mesmerizing, murderous tale of the legendary Fair that transformed America and set it on course for the twentieth century . . .

©2003 Erik Larson (P)2024 Penguin Random House LLC Americas Murder Sociology State & Local True Crime United States Urban Exciting Chicago

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All stars
Most relevant  
Who would imagine that the story of a trade fair could be so riveting? This writing at it's very best!

Masterpiece

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I only ordered this title because Destin recommended it.
it was actually really interesting though.
I was surprised to learn (about half way through) that it was not a work of fiction.
It was an interesting window to a place I've never been in a time beyond living memory.
I enjoyed it and I'd recommend it, although a few parts describe murder which was a bit dark, so maybe not good for kids.

Smarter Every Day

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Really interesting but too many jumps and quite random makes it more difficult to follow and some stories were less interesting than others.

Good but too many random jumps

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An amazing true story, well told. Great narrator. Didn't want it to end. Enjoyed in paperback and then as much again in Audiobook.

Highly recommended

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Narrator had a good voice for this intriguing story of late 19th century Chicago. The world's fair story was more compelling than Holmes evil brutality.

The Worlda Fair might be the most interesting event ever created. H H Holmes is a bit of a naughty boy though.

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I’ve wanted to listen to this book for a long time. This one did not disappoint in any way. What a fascinating and disturbing account of the minds who conceptualised and built the world fair in Chicago and the disturbing and depraved mind of what many consider to be the first known American serial killer.
Intricately woven with connections and parallels that make you gasp - worthy listen.

Shocking and brilliant

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Disappointing, struggled to engage with the narrator. The book focuses on the construction of the Chicago World’s fair. Whilst it shared some interesting facts, it was complete overkill and often read like shopping list. The story of HH Holmes, the reason I really opted for the book was merely touched upon. I found much of the book a laborious task to listen to.

A book about construction.

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