Review: Devil in the White City

Erik Larson

"Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spell-binding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.  Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction."

My Take:

The organization of this book was very much Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The Dr. Jekyll part of the book was when the story focused on the mild mannered and genius designer of the World's Fair, and the Mr. Hyde chapters were when the book focused on the serial killer H.H. Holmes. The Mr. Hyde aspect is based on a man that I am utterly shocked isn't ensconced in pop culture as thoroughly as others such as Jack the Ripper.  Seriously, Wikipedia this guy, you'll be shocked too.  Talk about maniacal!  This man built an entire business park/hotel/boarding house around his desire to maim, murder and torture women.  He had secret "disposal" chutes built in, secret passageways, secret body burning furnaces, secret anything a building dubbed "murder castle" would require.    I found these chapters absolutely fascinating.  I felt the author did a fabulous job of getting into his head.  When the book would shift focus from the building of the fair to Holmes, an eerie atmosphere would envelop you and totally creep you out.  I loved it.

As far as the Dr. Jekyll parts, dedicated to the great Architect of the Chicago World's Fair, well.....it was just okay.  At the beginning it was fine, but I quickly realized that his story just wasn't up my alley.  I'm not all that interested in reading about architecture.  Looking at beautiful buildings, yes, but reading about their construction? Not so much.  Dr. Jekyll just didn't hold my attention and about a third the way through, I started skimming those sections, and about two thirds through, I began skipping them altogether.  I felt like the two interweaving stories were for two entirely different sets of readers.  

I have to say that altogether this book was pretty good.  It was impeccably researched and crafted in such a way that it read like fiction.  There is no denying that this author is flat out fantastic.  His writing is wonderful, it's just that half of the subject matter wasn't for me.  When a coworker told me about this book, I was very intrigued by his description. He told me that "juxtaposing of the master builder and the master destroyer was riveting."  I don't think it quite lived up to that description, but I do think the author's telling of the absolute horror that was H. H. Holmes shoots this book up to the top of my ratings list.  I'm going to rate this book a 2, Borders with a Coupon.  It's definitely worth a read, especially if you are a fan of true crime.

Tell me what you think!  

Have you read this book, or anything else by Erik Larson?  

Do you think I am totally off base in my review?  

What do you think of the cover?

Hit the comments and let me know!

If the Devil in the White City was a movie, it would likely be rated a very mild PG-13.  This is only for the subject matter at hand: a serial killer.  The details of the slayings aren't' really discussed throughout the book, but I think the subject matter is enough (barely) to warrant a PG-13. 

***FTC Disclosure:  Devil in the White City was borrowed from a friend.  No compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Seth Grahame-Smith

 Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation. 

My Take:

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was written by the same man that wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  He is the master of successful unexpected horror blending.  He takes a concept that is utterly laughable, and writes it in such an authentic way, that when you are reading his work, you don't think twice; Abraham Lincoln was a vampire hunter, Elizabeth Bennett was a zombie fighter (from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).  He has such a skill for making it work (in the words of Tim Gunn for all you Project Runway fans :), I don't know how else to put it--it works.  The author writes with total respect toward Abraham Lincoln.  He isn't making a joke of his life at all, in fact, the vampire presence in the book caused a new light to be shed on Lincoln.  Obviously, he wasn't a vampire hunter, but having the book written from his secret vampire hunting journals allowed the author to dig deep into the President's inner most thoughts of life, loss, and the pressure he felt throughout his entire life.  This book also "solved" some historical mysteries, such as what happened to the lost settlement of Roanoke, and some insights into Mary Todd Lincoln's insanity after the death of her husband.  Overall, this book is a great piece historical fiction, the history, aside from the vampires, is very well researched and accurate.  The book has pretty good pacing, once you get passed the beginning, which was just a little tiny bit dry.  I will say that just because you love a good vampire/paranormal/supernatural book, does not necessarily mean you will love this book.  There is a lot of action, but it is spread out, it isn't a non stop thriller.  It definitely leans more toward the historical fiction aspect, rather than the paranormal aspect.  It doesn't get as much into the history and mythology of vampires, because it just isn't important for the book.  The focus of the book is all about Abraham Lincoln, and the present vampire/human conflict (by present, I mean Abe Lincoln's present :)  I am giving this book a rating of a 2, Borders with a Coupon.  I couldn't stop talking about it (much to my ever patient hubby's consternation), and it is one to add to your permanent library.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for violence and language

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting  The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link!

Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male

Philip Nork

As each of us reflects on the earthly experiences that molded us, where does fact end and fiction begin?

Follow Phil through the confusing and challenging journey of self-discovery, and his yearning to become the "real" yet sensitive man he longs to be.

The practical life-lessons he learns along the way will serve any male who, like Phil, is determined to gain the respect and acceptance of the female gender.

But as Phil will also find out, a good thing used the wrong way has its dire consequences.

While Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male is a highly entertaining and unique trip back in time, the lessons Phil learns in his formative years are universal. Mars and Venus? The battle of the sexes? Men and women alike will enjoy the book that just might end the war. 

My Take:

The story we follow in "Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male" is definitely a unique one.  We follow  the experiences of a young Phil Nork, as he struggles with acceptance and his budding sexuality, all the while trying to apply lessons he learned from girls earlier on in his life.  While the events that take place in the book are not necessarily the most relatable, the feelings of loneliness and isolation are strangers to no one.  Philip Nork is a good story teller, for the most part his words flow freely and naturally, except when it comes to dialogue.  Much of the dialogue did not sound very conversational, sometimes, when I read it, I thought "no one really talks like that".  I especially liked the beginning of the book, the stories were sweet, innocent and  extremely engaging.  My attention waned about mid story, but I was pleasantly surprised with the beginning.  Overall the book wasn't bad, and I think the lessons learned are applicable to both male and female.  The title "Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male" is a bit misleading.  This really is a coming of age story that can be enjoyed by anyone.  Overall I rate this book a 4, Borrow from a friend.   It is definitely not a waste of time, in fact the beginning is quite enjoyable, I also think we can all learn something from it, but it isn't particularly special either.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how you feel.

Author Interview:

The Book Buff: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Philip Nork: The way others see you is not always the same as you see yourself, and that you’re never really alone in life no matter how much you feel that way

The Book Buff: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Philip Nork: We all have a story to tell, so just do it. Don’t worry about what people say, there will always be someone who connects with what you have to say and that makes up for all the naysayers you run into.

For more information on Philip Nork, visit http://www.philipnork.com

If you are interested in this book, don't forget to stop by the Biography section of The Book Buff!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated R for brief but strong language and strong sexual themes and content throughout.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing them from these links!

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Harriet Jacobs

In what has become a landmark of American history and literature, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl recounts the incredible but true story of Harriet Jacobs, born a slave in North Carolina in 1813. Her tale gains its importance from her descriptions, in great and painful detail, of the sexual exploitation that daily haunted her life—and the life of every other black female slave.

As a child, Harriet Jacobs remained blissfully unaware that she was a slave until the deaths of both her mother and a benevolent mistress exposed her to a sexually predatory master, Dr. Flint. Determined to escape, she spends seven years hidden away in a garret in her grandmother’s house, three feet high at its tallest point, with almost no air or light, and with only glimpses of her children to sustain her courage. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, she finally wins her battle for freedom by escaping to the North in 1842.

My Take:

This book was incredible.  I think the thing that struck me the most about this book, was the author's fairness.  She knew that not every white southerner was evil, and not every white northerner was benevolent.  She was able to capture the good in those people whose souls were essentially good in her eyes, even if their behavior was not always the most noble.  Another aspect of the book took my particular notice, was her incredible story telling ability.  Harriet had been blessed early on in life to live with her parents and was taught to read and write, she used this knowledge to help others throughout her life.  This also instilled her with a love of learning, and she was able to improve herself to the point of being capable of writing this fascinating narrative.  Another positive point, as the book is written after the author had gained her freedom, there was a wonderful underlying sense of hope.  Throughout all of her trials, this selfless woman remained faithful to her family, as well as to herself.  She was willing to stand up for her children because she knew that they had a right to respect and freedom solely based on the fact that they were human beings.  I think this is a very important book for all to read, because again as I said, it is fair.  She wasn't out to paint the people of the south as evil, she just wanted to share her story to help take down the institution of slavery.   She doesn't shy away from describing many of the atrocities the people in her position had to bear, but she doesn't get to graphic or explicit.  It is an accurate and judicious representation of the times, I recommend this book to all.  I give this book a 1, Pay Full Price Guilt Free, it is a must read for everyone.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

Did you enjoy this book?  If so, why not check out the rest of the Classics Section of The Book Buff ?

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13, there are adult themes, and some descriptions of violence, but there is nothing graphic. I would rate this PG, except for the fact that, due to the time period and language regularly used at the time, there are several uses of the derogatory "N word"

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing them from these links!