View Full Version : The Devil in the white city


ypnos1
16-12-2005, 04:11
Not sure this belongs in this specific forum - Moderators please move it if it makes sense to be in another section of the forum.

"The Devil in the white city" is a great book about the Chicago worlds' fair of 1893. The two major characters are Daniel Burnham - Mega architect - visionary for one of the greatest fairs known to man and HH Holmes serial killer who used the World's Fair as part of his killing ground.

This book rocks! Both stories are riveting. Both unbelievable. And both happened at the same time, in the same place, by two eaqually brilliant/mad men.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1221345

If you are interested please follow the above link to the National Public Radio broadcast from a few years back. Listen to the authors' interview which give a synopsis of the book.

http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/devilinthewhitecity/home.html
Check out this link for more specific info on this book.

I know we all love modern architecture - but ain't nothing wrong with understanding how things came to be.

Enjoy
:cheers:
Ypnos

lavardera
16-12-2005, 04:42
I just finished reading this a few months ago and I must say I enjoyed it, as much as you can enjoy the story of serial killer. The Burnham end of the story was great and the author gave a decent account of the history of the chicago skyscraper as well.

WilsonMetry
27-12-2005, 05:22
Another recommendation...

The parallel stories were great, engrossing view of the inner workings of backroom Chicago politics of architectural commisions and the inner workings of a serial killer's mind.

Both were fascinating :eek: A good read.