The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson (2003)

I’ve waited for the right moment to enjoy this true-life mystery, and while traveling through The Windy City of Chicago this past week, I decided that finally the time was right.

That’s the romantic way to say: I started reading this book a while ago, and while sitting through multiple layovers and delays at ORD, I finally had the time to finish it!

Drawing Me to The Devil in the White City

Erik Larson’s book lives right up my alley. I love history, especially that which covers events at the turn of the 20th century, and this book ties so perfectly together two favorite themes of mine. First is the cultural and political landscapes into which would eventually step Teddy Roosevelt, the personal hero of every man’s man. Second is the industrial filth of Chicago’s urban development which Upton Sinclair describes so expertly in The Jungle. It’s a marriage made in the muck of those wicked streets, and I adored it.

I also love reading books of progress, books that answer the “How did we get here?” question. As a Midwestern boy, I was fascinated too by the industrial developments made right my own backyard.

I love art, though I’ve never been greatly awed by architecture. Reading the careful melding of the two as the nation’s greatest architects descended upon Chicago to create the next most spectacular and beautiful World’s Fair scratched that itch for art and gave me a sudden and keen interest in architecture too. I especially loved the sections following the creation and enjoyment of the first Ferris Wheel.

Finally, I love mystery, but only the non-fiction kind, and this book has plenty of that as well. The underbelly of this story is the slow and methodical work of the charming Dr. H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who preyed upon and dissected young women in the basement of his “castle,” a business/living structure built especially for that purpose. Though convicted of only two murders and insurance fraud, he admitted to killing 27 people—all without the police or private eyes ever suspecting a thing.

History, progress, art, architecture, mystery—this book has it all. It’s my first attempt at an Erik Larson book, but it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, I’ve had In the Garden of the Beasts on my shelf for quite a while, so come my next WWII kick…

Perhaps Surveillance Isn’t as Bad as We Think?

Having just completed this book yesterday and having given it an evening now to stew, I’m left with one key issue to ponder (and perhaps I’m not alone): We talk so disparagingly about how “Big Brother” keeps tabs on our movements and actions, but in the context of these murders, is that such a bad thing? Over 200 people went missing in Chicago during the Fair, likely murdered by thugs and drowned in the city’s lagoons. At least six women (and perhaps twenty more) entered Holmes’ pharmacy building and never exited, and no one seemed to put 2 and 2 together.

I’m not advocating for greater power for or deeper scrutiny from the government, of course, but more security cameras on our city streets can serve a purpose. And before we bark about “invasions of privacy!” because we apparently don’t want the FBI knowing when we drive ourselves to Walmart, I think we need to do some research to see how often these measures actually do help solve crimes.

For good reason, the NSA has left a bitter taste in our mouths due to the misuse of cellphones and TVs, but some technology can be helpful for the safety of our communities, and not all of it need qualify as “Big Brother.”

Conclusion

This was a dark yet engaging historical true-crime, and I’m glad I took the time to finish it. I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for more from Erik Larson!

©2021 E.T.