The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Resources

Websites

Inside the Chicago World’s Fair

A trip through the fair that features everything from historic photographs of the White City to novel inventions unveiled for the first time.

Fair Factoids

Here are seven things you may not know about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

On Display for the First Time

With Wrigley's gum at the top of the list, here are ten inventions that premiered in 1983 at the Chicago World’s Fair.

Burnham & Root

Take a peek at some of the buildings designed by famed architectural team Burnham & Root.

Website

The Rookery

One of Burnham and Root's remaining buildings in Chicago, the Rookery is used for many purposes today.

Movie or TV Productions

The Devil in the White City

Set to play H. H. Holmes himself, Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the film rights to the book in 2010. A feature film is finally in motion, with Martin Scorsese set to direct. (We're excited, too.)

Madness in the White City

This 2007 television documentary features Larson, historians, and behavioral experts discussing everything from the Fair's impact to Holmes's killing spree.

Articles and Interviews

Interview with Erik Larson

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Erik Larson about The Devil in the White City's depiction of architecture and murder in the Gilded Age.

A Real-Life Bates Motel

Is Alfred Hitchcock's Norman Bates like the notorious H. H. Holmes? The New York Times reviews Larson's The Devil in the White City.

New York Times Review

Noted as a book of the Times, this article reveals secrets behind Larson's work and the true story behind the magic and murder at the Fair.

Video

The True Story Behind The Devil in the White City

Author Erik Larson delves into the secrets of the Fair and offers compelling insights about Holmes.

Magic of the White City

Actor Gene Wilder (better known as Willy Wonka) narrates this montage of photographs from the Chicago World's Fair.

America’s Serial Killers

In this four part special, H. H. Holmes is profiled as America's first serial killer.

Audio

Audiobook

Scott Brick narrates The Devil in the White City, casting both feelings of excitement and terror as the events of the Fair unfold.

Images

Souvenir Map of the World’s Columbian Exposition, 1983

A bird's-eye view of the Chicago World's Fair.

The White City at Night

Visitors had never before seen such a magical display of lights against the night sky—the White City introduced a lot of people to the phenomenon of electric lights.

America’s First Serial Killer

Photograph of the infamous H. H. Holmes. He'll haunt your dreams.

Blueprint of the Holmes Castle

Though Holmes' hotel was burned to the ground, we can imagine its intricately dangerous layout.

Daniel Burnham Headshot

The great architect behind the magic of the White City.

The First Ferris Wheel

Designed to out-Eiffel Paris's Eiffel Tower, Ferris's Wheel was the highlight of the Fair.