*I had to fix my TBR tuesday and Wishlist Wednesday because I wasn't thinking :-)
TBR Tuesday: Hosted by Misty at The Book Rat. Showcasing all the books
that are currently staring at you from your "Why aren't you reading
me?" pile....
My TBR
The Devil in the White City by Erik LarsonPaperback, 464 pages
Published February 10th 2004 by Vintage
Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible
events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers
may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that 'The
Devil in the White City' is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson
tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for
the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a
charming doctor.
Burnham's challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous "White City" around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair's incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, and Thomas Edison.
The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims.
Combining the stories of an architect and a killer in one book, mostly in alternating chapters, seems like an odd choice but it works. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed through Larson's skillful writing. - John Moe
Burnham's challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous "White City" around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair's incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, and Thomas Edison.
The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims.
Combining the stories of an architect and a killer in one book, mostly in alternating chapters, seems like an odd choice but it works. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed through Larson's skillful writing. - John Moe
The cover and the title was what
really drew me to this book. I’m not sure why I haven’t picked this up yet. It
is a little intimidating, there are over 450 pages and the print is rather
small. I’m sure I will get to it eventually. I “plan” on going on a book buying
ban at the beginning of 2013. My husband doesn’t like how many books I have on
my TBR list.
Have you read this book?? What do you
think of it?
What’s on your TBR list?
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