Devil In the White City By: Erik Larson

                 Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is a nonfiction novel that takes place in the years sorrounding the 1893 Chicago World Fair. The book has two seperate plost lines one following the building up to the Fair and one following the events taking place during and around the fair. Leading up to the fair, Daniel Burnham and John Root were assigned to being the architects for the project. Shortly after construction begins Daniels partner John passes away. Despite have this and many other set backs, Daniel is able to pull off the fair. Daniel also makes sure that there is a Ferris Wheel at the parade. Sadly, the parade has to come to any early end.

              When the fair is brought to an end, tragedy strikes the city of Chicago. The mayor, Carter Henry Harrison, was assasinated. The other plot line of the story follows H.H. Holmes, a serial killer. Holmes is also a local pharmasist who owns his own store and appartmentds. In the basement of the store is where he would hide bodys, the building had secret shoots and doors to the basement. Holmes commited nemerous crimes including dozens of murders and identity fraud. After being jailed for identity fraud, his investigator Frank Geyer, discovers Homes' dirty passed.

             I would not reccoment this book to others because it is not a relateable book. I enjoy reading books that relate to me which obviously this one did not. Also i thought the beginning of the book was slow although the action began to pick up mid way through. I also think that if the book was a little shorter i might enjoy it more then I did. This also shows that police and detective skills were not as sharp as they are now because of all the crime that Holmes got away with. Conecting this to modern day it shows how benifitial technology is when catching crime.

            The novel also gave me a better understanding of this historical time period. From reading this novel I got a better picture of what life was like back in the 1890's. I did find it interesting how much effort went in to building the 1893 Chicago World Fair. In conclusion i found the book interesting but probably wouldn't read it again or reccomend it to others.