In 1889 there is intense competition for a world's fair celebrating Columbus Day, especially after the stunning success of the recent World Exposition in Paris, the Eiffel Tower its centerpiece. The American version is scheduled to debut in 1893; the bidding is fierce, especially the competition between Chicago and New York City and the stakes are tremendous. In a tense vote, Congress awards the opportunity of a lifetime to Chicago.The selected architects are faced with an almost insurmountable task, the foundations, the grounds, the venues and, most important, an attraction that will equal the Eiffel Tower in innovation and splendor. Daniel Burnham positions himself at the helm of this great enterprise, eventually wresting fiscal control and decision-making away from those with conflicting interests. Under the leadership of the firm of Burnham and Root, the most prominent Chicago architects gather to plan this massive undertaking.These men see Chicago as the most impressive and powerful city in America and Burnham is determined to see his vision for Chicago brought to life. To this end, Burnham engages the aid of his wealthy and accomplished cohorts, many of them captains of industry in this emerging city.
The designing architects paint the buildings white, in a stroke of inspired genius, thus creating the mythological "White City", a jewel set into a harsh landscape, a place of wonder and imagination. Here a troubled population can forget their troubles. But, while the White City is under construction, heinous crimes occur with increasing frequency. In one of the first recorded cases of serial murder, consummate psychopath H.H. Holmes kills scores of unsuspecting young women. Holmes builds a residence-hotel, establishing himself as a businessman in Chicago, charmingly seducing his victims, many of them hired as assistants in his pharmacy or residents in his hotel. Holmes' crimes are finally uncovered after the closing of the World's Fair and people are sickened that such a monster could live in their midst, plucking victims from the naive tourists.
Devil in the White City brilliantly contrasts the chasm between rich and poor, good and evil, providing this thoroughly researched work with fascinating details, especially the unremitting drive toward progress in Chicago, a definitive example of the American businessman amassing great wealth through monopoly and industrialization. This new century offers unparalleled opportunity for those in a position to avail themselves of such favorable circumstances; at the same time, the poor, uneducated and unemployed are crushed beneath the blind march of progress. Had the citizens of Chicago been gifted with precognition, they would have observed a future of unprecedented leaps in industrialization and the amassing of private fortunes, all of which eventually lead to the separation of economic, educational and social classes. Luan Gaines/2004.
