I guess I was a little late in catching up with best selling author Erik Larson. Thus when I was looking over bargain books at our local Goodwill store I latched onto
Devil In The White City. A true story based on events that took place in Chicago during the famous worlds fair of 1893. Subtitled
Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. For my taste it would have been two books. The magic was the absolutely fascinating story of the planning, building and operation of the fair itself. What a revelation of an new world at its outset! That is the birth of modern America.
The second book would have been the story of as mass murderer and all the incumbent details. No thank you. If I wanted to learn more about insane people who do horrible things to there fellow human beings I could just as easily turn on my television and watch the evening news....:(
7 comments:
Whew! When I saw that you were reviewing this book, I was afraid that you and I were going to disagree on this one. Alas, that was not to be. I did not like this book either. I found the descriptions long-winded and the author took far too many side-trips and tangents in telling the story. I found it an exhausting read. In fact, if I remember correctly...I may not have even bothered to finish it.
I guess I will pass...I hate the evening news too. Such sadness in Minnesota with the Deputy that was shot in the hospital last week...what is our country coming to:(
Not my kind of book either. I will definitely give it a miss.
It does sound like two books, and either might appeal to some, but perhaps both would appeal to few.
I felt the same way. The murder story was out of place with the incredible story of the World's Fair. Has made me hesitate to read his latest on the Lusitania.
Seems like a fine read, and one to add to the reading list, greetings!
I'm a huge fan of Erik Larson and loved this one. I can especially recommend his latest, "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" and also "In the Garden of Beasts." A much older one, "Isaac's Store: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History" is also quite interesting.
His writing is great and his research comprehensive. Definitely read "Dead Wake" and look up "In the Garden of Beasts." Given your interest in history and WWII I think you will like both of them. Both my husband and I did.
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