David H. Koch

Erik Larson, the author of The Devil in the White City, was born on January 3, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. He studied Russian history at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated at the top of his class. One year later, Larson enrolled at another Ivy League School, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he graduated in 1978. After starting his career as a journalist for The Bucks County Courier Times in Pennsylvania, he worked for The Wall Street Journal, Time…

The Devil in the White City by: Erik Larson Crown Publishing Group, 2003, and 447 The book "The Devil in the White City" is about the serial killer H.H. Holmes and the architect of the World's Fair Daniel H. Burnham. Who was Daniel H. Burnham? Burnham was a man who rose to prominence. In 1893 Chicago won the bid for the World's Exposition. The architects chosen were Burnham and his partner John Root, Burnham and John needed to build something to give their city a better reputation. Burnham…

The biggest reforms Churchill brought involved the education of naval officers, the progressive switch from coal to oil as the main source of fuel for ships, the “bigger is better” mentality when it came to ships and gunnery, and more accurate gunnery by means of adapting to technological advancement. Churchill was shocked that officers did not have to study or pass an exam on naval warfare and that no British officer had contributed anything to naval literature. Churchill was also outraged and…

Inciting Event In 1893 the whole of United States celebrates the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the America's and the World's Columbian Exposition opens to waiting public. In the nearby Chicago community of Englewood resides a businessman, a doctor, and the United States first documented serial killer, Dr. H.H. Holmes. First Plot Point As the trains which shall overwhelm Chicago with tourist and people seeking new opportunities so is it occupied by predators…

The Devil in the White City is written by Erik Larson, an author that takes historical events but instead of just explaining the events, he leaves his readers at the edge of their seats, wanting more, and explains gaps that are left in history regarding the events of this book. This book is set during the World's Columbian Exposition or better known as the World’s Fair of 1893. The book is based on two men that are on the opposite side of the spectrum in society: Daniel Burnham, the architect of…

. After his purchase of the vacant property across from the drug store he began the construction of his infamous murder castle. Designed by himself only Holmes knew the exact layout and design of the building. During its construction Holmes was constantly firing and hiring new workers, he did this so that no one knew the design and layout of the building, and to also save money because he claimed the works incompetent and unable to do a proper job. The building was built containing three floors…

I chose to read about H.H. Holmes in The Devil In The White City: Murder, Magic, And Madness At The Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson because I wanted to learn about something new rather than the alternative athlete that I’ve done biographies on in the past. The novel shows the stories of two different people during the time of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, one…

Serial killers are neither born nor are they created; rather they are the product of both elements when put to extremes. A predisposed mental disorder is sure to cause one to have some troubles in life, but does not automatically make one a future serial murderer. Along with that claim, a troubled childhood is also not grounds for future damnation. But when combined in extremes, one begins to become at risk for a very complicated- and sometimes deadly -future. Originating from former FBI…

Throughout Devil in the White City, Larson uses different characteristics and events to give the reader a wider, better idea of who Holmes really is, as well as letting the reader draw their own conclusions about characters that may not be as foregrounded as others. We are given hints on how other people view Holmes, including females. While he was described as rich and good looking, at the same time, he gives a look and feel, a sort of devilish impression. Larson writes of Holmes (in terms of…

“I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing” (Larson 109.) In the book, The Devil in the White City, Burnham, an architect, is having many different struggles in building the World’s Fair by opening day, but after the many struggles he ends up making the fair a dreamland. At the same time, Holmes, the first serial killer, is luring young women into his hotel and killing them without getting caught;…