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Ever since high school AP English, when our teacher introduced us to a sample of a chapter in this book, I have been meaning to read it, and I should have read it sooner because this turned out to be one of the most definitive and talented pieces of non-fiction that I have ever read!
Erik Larson has a talent for storytelling that no one can rival. Read it for yourself. You'll thank me later. ...more
Erik Larson has a talent for storytelling that no one can rival. Read it for yourself. You'll thank me later. ...more

3.5*
Ok so in fairness, I was a bit disappointed to find out what this book was REALLY about. I wanted to read it because I am a true crime junkie and was interested to read about Holmes. I had little to no desire to read about either A. the World's Fair or B. anything regarding the 1800's. However, I have to say Whoa!!! Despite those misgivings, I actually really enjoyed this book a lot. Had I known the book would really be about the Fair, I never would have read it and would have missed out on ...more
Ok so in fairness, I was a bit disappointed to find out what this book was REALLY about. I wanted to read it because I am a true crime junkie and was interested to read about Holmes. I had little to no desire to read about either A. the World's Fair or B. anything regarding the 1800's. However, I have to say Whoa!!! Despite those misgivings, I actually really enjoyed this book a lot. Had I known the book would really be about the Fair, I never would have read it and would have missed out on ...more

Parts of the book were more interesting than others. I was a bit impatient with the building of the fair. It reminded me of today's renovation style "reality" shows that focus on the pressure, "Will they build it in time?!" I suppose its NF label should have upped the interest, but bickering architects...meh.
Once the Ferris Wheel began to go up, I began to enjoy the fair itself and the cameos of its many Gilded Age visitors. I was as disappointed as the author that Twain never made it, but the ...more
Once the Ferris Wheel began to go up, I began to enjoy the fair itself and the cameos of its many Gilded Age visitors. I was as disappointed as the author that Twain never made it, but the ...more

This rating is based on the audiobook. While Larson was able to keep a balance - most of the time - between the telling of the horrendous deeds of H.H. Holmes and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, it was a bit shaky in some places with odd connections.
The narration did the book no favors. While I normally listen to books on normal speed, the narrator spoke so slow that I had to speed it up to make it sound normal. Even then, I wasn't a fan. ...more
The narration did the book no favors. While I normally listen to books on normal speed, the narrator spoke so slow that I had to speed it up to make it sound normal. Even then, I wasn't a fan. ...more

May 20, 2012
Xiri
marked it as to-read

May 29, 2012
Amy
marked it as to-read

Jun 14, 2012
Adele Symonds
marked it as to-read

Aug 19, 2012
★Meghan★
marked it as wishlist



Jun 20, 2014
Fairlee Corkran
marked it as to-read

Nov 26, 2014
Stephany
marked it as to-read

Feb 23, 2015
Shilpa
marked it as to-read

Aug 16, 2015
Susanna Bohacsik
marked it as to-read