The Devil in the White City

Erik Larson has a massive gift for writing history (some day we'll also talk about Issac's Storm). In this particular work, he creates parallel stories that ought not to work together, but they do.

On the one hand, we have Daniel H. Burnham, an architect who has the monumental task of creating the grounds for the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. The sheer magnitude of the task is amazing-- we see the struggle to create and build a small city while managing the politics and personalities that accompany this massive undertaking.

At the same time, H. H. Holmes has set up shop in Chicago-- only in his case, that means a hotel with secret rooms that allow him to pursue his own passion, which is freakish and horrifying murder on a stunningly large scale. The fair provides him with the perfect backdrop to find fresh victims and continue his spree.

So riveting and exciting that you will frequently forget that this is non-fiction. Larson could have made a fine book out of either of these stories, but even though their connection is tenuous at best, each tale gains something by being told concurrently with the other. A great read.

One caveat-- this book will make you want to actually see the grand creations of the White City, but it has none to offer. Dover, however, has a fine book of collected photos that will let you see what Larson is talking about.