The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Title: The Devil in the White City: A Saga of Magic and Murder at the Fair that Changed America

Author: Erik Larson

Publisher: Vintage Books 2003

Genre: U.S. History

Pages: 447

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Rory Gilmore; Library Books; Monthly Key Word - Color

Erik Larson—author of #1 bestseller IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS—intertwines the true tale of the 1893 World's Fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction.

I loved this book.  Initially I thought it was just about the serial killer H.H. Holmes, but in reality this book tells the story of the creation and destruction of The White City.  I was fascinated by the process of planning and building the World's Fair.  I did not realize the amount of famous to me people that either had a hand in building the fair or were attendees.  All throughout we get interludes about the murder spree of H.H. Holmes (only to be discovered after the fair).  Larson's writing is clear and concise but with a nice storytelling manner.  We get the inclusion of primary sources fitted seamlessly into the narrative.  Even switching between the two main story lines is done well.  Definitely a well written historical narrative.