The Devil in the White City

€uroMeinke · 10-30-2006, 09:30 PM

I recently finished this runner up bookclub choice and quite enjoyed it. One part serial killer crime drama, another part cultural history of the Chicago World's Fair and frankly it was this latter part that really engaged me. It's a story of Chicago coming of age, and a time when cities and countries would compete with architecture and innovation. It's also a treat for the Disney fan, as you can see how this world fair influenced the Disney parks to come. It makes me miss the days of great works and pagentry. Anyway, quite a fun read.

Not Afraid · 10-30-2006, 10:04 PM

I loved this book for I love the city it is written about. I also am fascinated by the concept of the World's Fair or International Expo. I have no recollection of going to one of these, but I DO remember them happening. The Seattle Fair stands out - especially for the landmark Space Needle. But, there have been quite a few great buildings (and attractions) to come out of the World's Fair(s). (Thank you Paris 1889 and New York 1964!)

Since I read this book, I've been casually looking for other books and information about the history of the World's Fair (now called "Expos") and most seem to be of the critical ilk. Wikipedia has a decent overview and at least links to more information.

Maybe it is a dated idea or a fond memory from childhood (much like Tomorrowland '67) but I find the concept - and how it has changed over time - to be completely fascinating.

Boss Radio · 10-31-2006, 01:45 AM

I know many things of which you speak.

Snowflake · 10-31-2006, 06:17 AM

Let me chime in, I really enjoyed this book as well. Read it on the way home from DL last February on the plane.

The murder history was good, but like EM and NA, the fascinating tale and real hook for me wa the whole story of the Worlds Fair.

I've never been to one, but I do wish I had been alive to go to the 1915 Pan Pacific here in SF the graceful and beautiful Palace of Fine Arts is the lone survivor and relic of that age. Or the Chicago Worlds Fair or the 1964 in New York which brough the Disney fans so much for Tomorrowland

Anyway, I digress, a good book and worth a read!

katiesue · 10-31-2006, 10:53 AM

I loved this book as well. So interesting how they put such a huge thing together in such a short timeframe.

It also got me thinking about how easy it was at that time to get away with murder. Kill a girl, say she went to live with her Aunt in St. Louis no one thought anything of it. No way to check on it really. Wonder how many people just literally dissapeared?

flippyshark · 10-31-2006, 11:43 AM

This book is second next in my bedside bookpile. I'll comment on it fairly soon. Currently finishing THE SHARK GOD and starting THE ANCESTOR'S TALE, which is long, but I'll be on WHITE CITY within a week or two.

Has anyone read the author's new book, THUNDERSTRUCK, concerning radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi and English killer Dr. H.H. Crippen? Reviews aren't as good, but it sounds interesting to me.

Stan4dSteph · 10-31-2006, 11:56 AM

I enjoyed the book, but I differed from most others here, in that I was more interested in the serial killer story than the World's Fair story.

I didn't think the connection between the two story lines was that strong, so it really could have been two separate books.

Snowflake · 10-31-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flippyshark

Has anyone read the author's new book, THUNDERSTRUCK, concerning radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi and English killer Dr. H.H. Crippen? Reviews aren't as good, but it sounds interesting to me.

I found the excerpt in this month's issue of Vanity Fair very interesting. That article focused almost entirely on the capture of Crippen. But, what was there made me make note of the book and to check it out.

10-30-2006, 09:30 PM	#1
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	The Devil in the White City I recently finished this runner up bookclub choice and quite enjoyed it. One part serial killer crime drama, another part cultural history of the Chicago World's Fair and frankly it was this latter part that really engaged me. It's a story of Chicago coming of age, and a time when cities and countries would compete with architecture and innovation. It's also a treat for the Disney fan, as you can see how this world fair influenced the Disney parks to come. It makes me miss the days of great works and pagentry. Anyway, quite a fun read. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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10-30-2006, 10:04 PM	#2
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I loved this book for I love the city it is written about. I also am fascinated by the concept of the World's Fair or International Expo. I have no recollection of going to one of these, but I DO remember them happening. The Seattle Fair stands out - especially for the landmark Space Needle. But, there have been quite a few great buildings (and attractions) to come out of the World's Fair(s). (Thank you Paris 1889 and New York 1964!) Since I read this book, I've been casually looking for other books and information about the history of the World's Fair (now called "Expos") and most seem to be of the critical ilk. Wikipedia has a decent overview and at least links to more information. Maybe it is a dated idea or a fond memory from childhood (much like Tomorrowland '67) but I find the concept - and how it has changed over time - to be completely fascinating.
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10-31-2006, 01:45 AM	#3
Boss Radio The Littlest Hobo Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hobo Junction Posts: 393	I know many things of which you speak.
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10-31-2006, 06:17 AM	#4
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Let me chime in, I really enjoyed this book as well. Read it on the way home from DL last February on the plane. The murder history was good, but like EM and NA, the fascinating tale and real hook for me wa the whole story of the Worlds Fair. I've never been to one, but I do wish I had been alive to go to the 1915 Pan Pacific here in SF the graceful and beautiful Palace of Fine Arts is the lone survivor and relic of that age. Or the Chicago Worlds Fair or the 1964 in New York which brough the Disney fans so much for Tomorrowland Anyway, I digress, a good book and worth a read! __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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10-31-2006, 10:53 AM	#5
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	I loved this book as well. So interesting how they put such a huge thing together in such a short timeframe. It also got me thinking about how easy it was at that time to get away with murder. Kill a girl, say she went to live with her Aunt in St. Louis no one thought anything of it. No way to check on it really. Wonder how many people just literally dissapeared? __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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10-31-2006, 11:43 AM	#6
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	This book is second next in my bedside bookpile. I'll comment on it fairly soon. Currently finishing THE SHARK GOD and starting THE ANCESTOR'S TALE, which is long, but I'll be on WHITE CITY within a week or two. Has anyone read the author's new book, THUNDERSTRUCK, concerning radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi and English killer Dr. H.H. Crippen? Reviews aren't as good, but it sounds interesting to me.
	Submit to Quotes

10-31-2006, 11:56 AM	#7
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	I enjoyed the book, but I differed from most others here, in that I was more interested in the serial killer story than the World's Fair story. I didn't think the connection between the two story lines was that strong, so it really could have been two separate books.
	Submit to Quotes