The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America.The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Eric Larson Vintage ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m : 0375725601 $14.95 464 pages Recommendation: ****** Author Eric Larson has managed to weave two very diverse subject matters--the creation of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition World's Columbian Exposition, held at Chicago, May–Nov., 1893, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Authorized (1890) by Congress, it was planned and completed by a commission headed by Thomas W. and the inner workings of a madman--into a very cohesive cohesive, n the capability to cohere or stick together to form a mass. , well-told tale that holds the reader's interest from the Author's Note at the beginning until the book's last page. It was a finalist for the 2003 National Book Award. As well it should have been. There might be errors in this book ... I'm not a World's Fair world's fair: see exposition. world's fair Specially constructed attraction showcasing the science, technology, and culture of participating countries and enterprises. historian ... but they didn't have anything to do with the author's ability to pull you in and keep you turning the pages long after the lights should have been out. I'm not a fan of non-fiction, but this story is the exception to the rule. The parallel stories of the struggles to realize the dreams of a fabulous world's fair and the diabolical deeds going on near the fair sight at the same time were compelling enough to hold my interest ... even though I know little about engineering, construction or physics. I'm surprised the book hasn't been optioned for a feature film. Who would play brilliant architect ... Brunham? Who is evil enough to play the devil incarnate in·car·nate adj. 1. a. Invested with bodily nature and form: an incarnate spirit. b. Embodied in human form; personified: a villain who is evil incarnate. ... Holmes? Enjoy. |
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