March 27, 2011: Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Erik Larson brought 1890’s Chicago to life in the pages of his book.  It’s an absorbing history of Chicago and how the “Chicago” spirit change America with is spectacular, lavish, beyond-your-wildest-dreams, legendary 1893 World’s Fair.  With America trying to secure its place in the world, Chicago is center stage.  In Devil in the White City, we were skillfully transported to the past with a portrait of America/Chicago as it was and the impact Chicago’s World Fair had on our cities and the society we inhibit today.  We were absorbed with the life of Daniel Burnham, his partner John Root, Sullivan, Tiffany, Armour, Pullman, Schwab, Field, McCormick, Ward. There was Disney, Thomas Edison, Potter and Bertha Palmer, Disney, Washburn, Nikola Tesla, Westinghouse, the young Frank Lloyd Wright and on and on.  Influences of then are seen around our city today, and Chicago’s lakefront and museums are a testament to their philosophies.  27.5 million people visited Chicago’s World Fair with a total US population of 65 million.   When you want to get absorbed in Chicago’s history, this is a good place to start.  Everyone enjoyed this book, and to really take it all in, it’s a book you can read over again.  After reading this book, your next visit to the city and Downtown will be forever altered, and you will be so much more observant of the architecture, landscape,  parks, and the “spirit” of Chicago.


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