THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY - Page 3 of 6 - book summaries and study materials

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 24 – The Invitation

Summary Holmes invites Minnie’s sister Anna, a school teacher in Texas, to come to Chicago for a visit and to see the fair. He extends the invitation because Anna knows about the transfer of the Minnie’s inheritance, and Holmes thinks she doesn’t trust him. Anna accepts the invitation. Analysis This […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 23 – Dreadful Things Done By Girls

Erik Larson

Summary Unemployment in the rest of the nation is increasing, yet the fair is keeping the people of Chicago employed. Exhibits are now pouring in on a daily basis. Ferris continues to build his history-making wheel and shipments to be used at the fair come from all over the world. […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 22 – Acquiring Minnie

Erik Larson

Summary While the builders of the fair are facing challenges, Holmes’s business ventures, including a newly opened alcoholic treatment center, are thriving. Holmes focuses his time on preparing the hotel for the fair but becomes increasingly worried that he might have to leave Chicago because of inquiries into the whereabouts […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 21 – The Cold Blooded Fact

Erik Larson

Summary The winter of 1893 brings much concern to those working to create the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair on time. Cold winters bring a larger threat of fire, and Burnham’s concern of fire grows. Ferris, despite the cold, begins construction on his wheel, encountering many issues along the way, despite […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 20 – Chappell Redux

Erik Larson

Summary It is the winter holiday season 1892, and Emeline Cigrand goes to visit her friend, Mrs. Lawrence, to give her a present. In conversation with Mrs. Lawrence, Emeline tells Mrs. Lawrence that she will be going home to Lafayette, Indiana, for the holidays and implies to Mrs. Lawrence that […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 19 – I Want You at Once

Erik Larson

Summary George Ferris, the young Pittsburgh man, has given his third proposal for a structure to outshine the Eiffel Tower. This time, he has the financial backing of investors and many influential men. The committee finally agrees to let him build his structure in the midway, and immediately Ferris writes […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 18 – Prendergast

Erik Larson

Summary A mentally declining Prendergast, still employed by the Inter Ocean, writes a postcard to one of Chicago’s leading defense attorneys, Alfred Trude. The content of the postcard is incomprehensible, and Prendergast does not sign his name. Trude brushes off the note and resolves it to be the work of […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 17 – Dedication Day

Erik Larson

Summary Olmsted continues to be disenchanted with the fair’s slow construction progress. Delays in construction ultimately mean delays in his crew’s landscape work. Additionally, the workers disrespect and sometimes destroy what Olmsted’s crew has already created. Adding to Olmsted’s disgruntlement is the fact that Burnham still thinks that steam-powered boats […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 16 – The Angel from Dwight

Erik Larson

Summary Holmes sends Benjamin Pietzel, his friend, carpenter, and sidekick, to a treatment facility in a nearby town to cure Pietzel’s alcoholism, something that Holmes tells Pietzel is interfering with Pietzel’s work. More than likely, Holmes has ulterior motives, as he later opens up his own treatment facility in his […]

Summary and Analysis Part II: Chapter 15 – The Gauntlet Dropped

Erik Larson

Summary Despite the cold winter, construction of the fair continues to progress. Throughout the country, unions are striking and making gains for their workers, the murder rate has risen exponentially from the prior year’s rate, and the economy is still slipping. Burnham directs his leaders in the building of the […]