The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

     The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is both a fascinating and frightening look at Chicago in the late 1800's.  At this time in history, the city of Chicago was growing rapidly.  In fact, it was America's second largest city.  After months of deliberation, Chicago was chosen as the city to hold the next World's Fair in 1893.  This was an enormous opportunity and responsibility.  The fair would bring thousands of people into Chicago, some for the very first time, and the city didn't have a sterling reputation.  It was known primarily for its hog slaughtering, filth, and crime.  The leaders of the city hoped to change that image by building a beautiful city within the city, White City along Lake Michigan.  The White City would be home to the  World's fair.
     In the book, Larkin describes the difficulties that arose while trying to prepare for the fair.  Ground had to be prepared, architects selected, buildings erected, transportation arranged, and much more.  They were literally building a city over the course of just two short years.
     In addition to describing the events that lead to the creation of the White City, Larkin also describes something very disturbing.  A serial killer, Dr. Herman W. Mudgett,  takes up residency in Chicago, right at the edge of the White City's borders.  Through cons and scheming, he gets his hands on enough money to build what he calls a "hotel" to lure people into his clutches.  Mudgett, who eventually goes by the alias H.H. Holmes, constructs a building with a basement and vaults to hide his murderous crimes.  Because the fair created many job opportunities, the city was flooded with newcomers, and that set up a perfect environment for Holmes to prey on his victims.  It is believed that Holmes was responsible for the deaths of nearly 200 people; however, he was only tried and convicted of committing nine murders because of lack of evidence.
     Larkin wrote the book in alternating chapters, each describing the events in the lives of either Daniel Burnham (the lead developer of the fair) or H.H. Holmes.  It is shoking that such an evil man as Holmes could get away with such terrible crimes right under the noses of construction crews and tourists!