Kristy's review
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness and the Fair that Changed America
by Erik Larson
i think it was held further south, where the museum of science and industry is today. you can take a tour with the chicago history museum.
Nice review, Kristy! If I hadn't already read the book, I'd be getting it.
I wanted to know more about Mudgett/Holmes, so I read Depraved by Harold Schechter. It didn't add much that Larson hadn't already covered.
What struck me about Holmes was his energy and inventiveness. What could he have accomplished if he'd channeled it somewhere else? But I shudder to think of Holmes having access to his own car and a telephone (and the net!), instead of trains and the telegraph. His victims would have had access too, so it's hard to say if he would have been so "successful" in modern times.
You are correct, the fair was South of the city in what is now called Hyde Park. It's close to the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry is the only building left. Based on pictures I've seen of the fair, I don't think the building looks the same as it did. The only other remnant of the fair is the statue.
They did recreate the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier except you can't fit 20 people in the car, but it does take 20 minutes to complete a full rotation.
Kristy's review
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness and the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Kristy's review
rating:
recommended for: anyone
Ohhhh, this book is creeeeeepy and all-true!!! Being from Chicago I was in an awful thrall the entire time. The only thing that was missing for me would have been some kind of map to show where exactly the Fair was located, and all the other buildings he talks about... I think the fair was probably located roughly on what the Museum Campus is now, but I still would like to see a map.
And the people! Burnham and Root and Atwood... and Carter Henry Harrison! It says his mansion was on Ashland, I'm wondering exactly where. And Mudgett... I wonder where all of his buildings were... it sends chills up my spine just to think about it. I wonder if anyone has put together a tourist's map based on this book?
O.K., beyond my personal reasons for being fascinated, the writing is excellent, and really well documented. And the charming thing is that he documented everything in the back of the book in a really simple way, so if you were so inclined you would not have to be a big fancy schola...more
And the people! Burnham and Root and Atwood... and Carter Henry Harrison! It says his mansion was on Ashland, I'm wondering exactly where. And Mudgett... I wonder where all of his buildings were... it sends chills up my spine just to think about it. I wonder if anyone has put together a tourist's map based on this book?
O.K., beyond my personal reasons for being fascinated, the writing is excellent, and really well documented. And the charming thing is that he documented everything in the back of the book in a really simple way, so if you were so inclined you would not have to be a big fancy schola...more
i think it was held further south, where the museum of science and industry is today. you can take a tour with the chicago history museum.
Nice review, Kristy! If I hadn't already read the book, I'd be getting it.I wanted to know more about Mudgett/Holmes, so I read Depraved by Harold Schechter. It didn't add much that Larson hadn't already covered.
What struck me about Holmes was his energy and inventiveness. What could he have accomplished if he'd channeled it somewhere else? But I shudder to think of Holmes having access to his own car and a telephone (and the net!), instead of trains and the telegraph. His victims would have had access too, so it's hard to say if he would have been so "successful" in modern times.
You are correct, the fair was South of the city in what is now called Hyde Park. It's close to the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry is the only building left. Based on pictures I've seen of the fair, I don't think the building looks the same as it did. The only other remnant of the fair is the statue.
They did recreate the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier except you can't fit 20 people in the car, but it does take 20 minutes to complete a full rotation.