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What Members Thought

This book was definitely interesting, especially since I had no idea about the events that surrounded the Chicago World Fair or about the murders committed by Holmes. It just wasn't totally my thing I guess, still well done though.
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Very interesting read. The chapters alternate between the fair (architecture, etc) and the true-crime portion (serial killer Holmes - who is horrific especially for the times).
Highly recommended. Plus it made me wish there was still a World's Fair! ...more
Highly recommended. Plus it made me wish there was still a World's Fair! ...more

A favorite!

Amazing book. I love Larson's choice to alternate between the story of the World's Fair and the macabre serial killer. It gives the reader a chance to breath. His attention to historical detail is jaw-dropping to me. One of many details I enjoy about this book is that any time he quotes someone or includes dialogue, he's only including what was actually said by those people--pulling from sources such as articles, interviews, journal entries, etc. (Knowing this makes it especially eerie when H. H
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Jul 03, 2008
Lianna
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history,
secret-santa
5 stars for two great, true stories. Now I want to go to a World's Fair! The story of the architecture, all the different inventions that debuted and 1890's Chicago are so interesting. And how has the serial killer story not been made into a movie ever? It's way cooler than Jack the Ripper or Zodiac. I just saw The Illusionist and Ed Norton in a bowler hat and porkchop sideburns looked just like Holmes.
Minus 1 star for the author including every detail ever, Olmsted whining non-stop about his te ...more
Minus 1 star for the author including every detail ever, Olmsted whining non-stop about his te ...more

It was good. I was more interested in the H.H.Holmes story than Birnham's story, though I was intrigued to learn the history of the World Columbian Exposition. Though the things I really wanted to know can be found on Wikipedia (firsts at the fair, etc).
If this hadn't been an audiobook, I'm almost certain I wouldn't have been able to finish it. ...more
If this hadn't been an audiobook, I'm almost certain I wouldn't have been able to finish it. ...more

What more can you ask for in a book - Murder and the Worlds Fair. The fact that it is a true story only makes it creepier.

Fascinating look at the Chicago world's Fair and a mass murderer. I learned alot about Chicago.
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Mar 30, 2008
Sandra
added it

Apr 22, 2008
Paula
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
based-in-the-old-times,
read-in-2008

Jan 22, 2011
Sharon
marked it as to-read

Jan 07, 2012
Katy
marked it as to-read

Jul 13, 2013
Donna
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
library,
google-nexus-7

Oct 15, 2013
Anna
marked it as to-read

Jun 16, 2015
Christa
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ebooks-all-vendors

Jan 10, 2017
Jamie
marked it as to-read