From the Bookshelf of Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
This was a really fun read, juxtaposing the planning and carrying out of the Chicago World's Fair against horrible odds with the story of a serial killer who preyed on women at the Fair. In addition to the detailed planning history and the sensationalist crime novel, the author included a ton of factoids about new inventions for the fair (shredded wheat, ferris wheel, etc.). Somehow, this combination worked, although apparently some people were bothered by it. I was a little overwhelmed by the d
...more
For the most part, I thought this was a very interesting book even thought it is not at all the type of book that I normally like. Sometimes all the details got a little mundane though.
I was fascinated by the book and surprised that I had never heard any of the history of either side, especially since I grew up in Chicago. The book flips back and forth between the great accomplishement that it was to build the World's Fair in Chicago that introduced many machines and products that are common place today and brough together a number of notable historical figures. All the while a serial killer operated virtually unnoticed and killed more people that Jack the Ripper.
...more
Jul 17, 2011
Megan
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history,
true-crime
I wasn't really looking forward to this book, but I actually liked it. It has two stories happening at once...one was about the architect who designed the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and the other was about a serial killer who lived nearby. It was packed with history, but written almost like a novel.
...more
Aug 14, 2007
Tara Nichols
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction-reads
I love it when authors write History books that feel like novels. I always hated History class in school because it was so dry - and yet I always wanted to love it. This book makes me love reading History.
Started this a few years ago and couldn't get into it -- then picked it up pover the Independence Day holiday and couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
...more
Oct 19, 2007
Leslie Jones
marked it as to-read
I bought this book in Chicago...one of my favorite cities. I was having so much fun site seeing, I haven't read it yet.
...more
I listened to this book on CD and it took me forever. Couldn't get into it...not at all what I was expecting.
...more
Jan 31, 2013
Melissa
marked it as to-read
Feb 22, 2013
Leslie
added it
