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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

Erik Larson

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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

by Erik Larson
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

Gilded Age intrigue: architect versus serial killer.

If you're fascinated by the duality of progress and darkness, "The Devil in the White City" is right up your alley. Larson juxtaposes the heights of architectural achievement with the depths of human depravity. As you immerse yourself in the wonders of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, you'll also be chilled by the sinister doings of H.H. Holmes. It's an engrossing read that marries historical detail with nail-biting storytelling.

  • International Horror Guild Award for Nonfiction (2003)
  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award Nominee (2004)
  • Great Lakes Book Award Nominee for Nonfiction Shortlist (2003)
  • Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime (2004)
  • Washington State Book Award (2004)
  • Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award (2004)
  • National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction (2003)
  • ALCS Dagger for Non-fiction Nominee (2003)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

by Erik Larson
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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ISBN: 9780609608449
Author: Erik Larson
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Date of Publication: 2003-02-11
Format: Hardcover
Related Collections: History, Biographies & Memoirs
Related Topics: American History, Historical, Biography
Goodreads rating: 4.0
(rated by 751248 readers)

Description

Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that 'The Devil in the White City' is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor. Burnham's challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous 'White City' around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair's incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, and Thomas Edison. The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims. Combining the stories of an architect and a killer in one book, mostly in alternating chapters, seems like an odd choice but it works. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed through Larson's skillful writing.
 

Gilded Age intrigue: architect versus serial killer.

If you're fascinated by the duality of progress and darkness, "The Devil in the White City" is right up your alley. Larson juxtaposes the heights of architectural achievement with the depths of human depravity. As you immerse yourself in the wonders of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, you'll also be chilled by the sinister doings of H.H. Holmes. It's an engrossing read that marries historical detail with nail-biting storytelling.

  • International Horror Guild Award for Nonfiction (2003)
  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award Nominee (2004)
  • Great Lakes Book Award Nominee for Nonfiction Shortlist (2003)
  • Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime (2004)
  • Washington State Book Award (2004)
  • Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award (2004)
  • National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction (2003)
  • ALCS Dagger for Non-fiction Nominee (2003)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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