#4348

Mentioned in 10 episodes

The Devil in the White City

Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America

Book • 2003

The book tells the dual stories of Daniel H. Burnham, who led the construction of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and H.H.

Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims.

Burnham faced numerous challenges in building the 'White City', while Holmes constructed his 'Murder Castle', a hotel with secret rooms, torture chambers, and other sinister features.

The narrative explores the contrast between the grandeur of the fair and the dark deeds of Holmes, set against the backdrop of late 19th-century America.

Mentioned by

Vanessa Van Edwards

Michael Batnick

Mentioned in 10 episodes

Recommended by

Naomi Gleit

as a compelling way to learn about history.

Meta’s Head of Product (and 29th employee) on working with Mark Zuckerberg, early growth tactics, why PMs are like conductors, and more | Naomi Gleit

Mentioned by

Vanessa Van Edwards

as a book that

Ryan Holiday

might like.

The Stoic’s Playbook For INSTANT Charisma | Vanessa Van Edwards (PT. 2)

Mentioned by

Michael Batnick

, referencing Erik Larson's work, and asking

Ben Carlson

if he read it.

Hi-Yo Silver! (EP. 449)

Mentioned by Tanya in relation to H.H. Holmes, advising Carrie to read it.

MTCT #182: 2025 Summer Book Club, Part 3

Mentioned by

Noel Brown

as a book that tells the sordid tale of the dark side of the Chicago World's Fair.

The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part One: A Crazy Plan, and Crazy Success

Mentioned by

Audrey Hussey

when discussing a shared memory of a book with circled words.

Matthew and Audrey Solo: What to Do When Someone Pulls Away, Managing Social Anxiety, and Our Quarterly Audit for 2025

Mentioned by

KC Shornima

when recounting a conversation with her sister about audiobooks.

184. KC Shornima: Get Comfortable With This Darkness

Mentioned by

Sally Helm

as one of the books that revisited the story of H.H. Holmes in the early 2000s.

The Haunting Case of H.H. Holmes

Mentioned by

Joel McHale

as a great book set in Chicago.

Mentioned by

Brad Henderson

, the most famously he wrote Devil in the White City.

(Ep 52) Brad Henderson

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