This is two tales of a city, and the stories of two men linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for the gleaming white color of the buildings.  Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel.  Erik Larson takes readers from the original inspiration for the Fair—the creation and erection of a tower in Paris, France—through the excruciating planning, building and ultimate creation of the Fair.  The fairgrounds, dubbed The White City for its gleaming white buildings, seemed an impossible project, given the time constraints and adverse soil conditions throughout the area.  But Burnham prevailed and built it; and a demented doctor used it to lure victims to his "murder castle," where dozens met their deaths.  Here, then, is a ticket to the greatest fair in history—a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares.
Softcover