The Devil in the White City

For my first semester book I chose to read the intriguing The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. The book begins by explaining the moral climate and erie feel of Chicago life during the 1800s, describing the influx of young women from Europe searching for work, primarily lower class women who were in a desperate need for money to begin more financially secured futures. Chicago's atmosphere is made worse due to the unusually high frequency of deaths due to train accidents, fire, disease due to overpopulating, and murder. After France hosts their renowned World Fair that outmatches every other nations' attempts, the United States decides to hold a glamorous World Fair to outmatch France in order to show their supremacy and flourishing economy and political influence after recovering from the Civil War. Two main states fight for the ability to host the World Fair to represent the United States, New York and Chicago. At first, New York, being the United States' center for everything from government, celebrations, to politics, was the first choice considered. However, after a voting poll begins, Chicago through the promotion of most of Chicago's citizens, Chicago wins the poll and is held responsible for holding the United States' World Fair.

Put in charge of constructing such a demanding festivity is Daniel Burnham, a talented architect, whose prior occupational attempts in medicine, construction, and many others were a failure, and his partner John Root, a true genius in architecture, whose preciseness and knowledge perfectly compliments Burnham's savvy communication and business skills. The first chapter later continues and explains the beginning of the World Fair's construction, and prior to the chapter's end, the book's antagonist, H.H. Holmes is introduced. Larson's usage of the word "disappear" foreshadows that in Chicago's busy atmosphere, especially during the construction of such a historical event, Holme's ability to figuratively disappear and remain unnoticed during the beginning of his killing spree.