gogo Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson I'm going to suggest that we hold off discussion for a week while everyone starts reading. Do we want to ask people to finish the book before we start, or discuss sections of the book separately? I think we should read Parts I and II the first week, which is about half of the book. Does that seem reasonable to everyone? So let's say a week from tomorrow, Monday September 1, we'll kick-off discussion of the first half, and then if that was about the right pace for everyone, we'll do the same a week later for the second half. Edit: see posts below. We're pushing the start of the discussion back to Monday, September 8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Central Scrutinizer Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson I'm going to suggest that we hold off discussion for a week while everyone starts reading. Do we want to ask people to finish the book before we start, or discuss sections of the book separately? I think we should read Parts I and II the first week, which is about half of the book. Does that seem reasonable to everyone? So let's say a week from tomorrow, Monday September 1, we'll kick-off discussion of the first half, and then if that was about the right pace for everyone, we'll do the same a week later for the second half.Isn't Sept. 1 Labor Day? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Can we have more time to obtain the book? Takes a while for the library to track a book down if it's not at my neighborhood library. Maybe push off the discussion for another week? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I second that. There's no way I'll have time to read and really appreciate 200 pages by the time I can get the book, even though I'm a pretty quick reader. I hadn't heard of this one before, but I think it sounds really fascinating, and since I've been reading a lot of nonfiction this year, this seems like a good book for me to pick up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted August 25, 2008 Author Share Posted August 25, 2008 All excellent points. OK, discussion of the first half of the book now scheduled to begin on September 8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
austrya Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Thanks for postponing it. I still have to get the book and our local library only has the large print version and I can't stand to read large print. I'm not going to be able to buy it until the weekend, but I read super fast so I won't be behind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I guess I should've accepted it when my mom tried to lend me a copy of this last week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted August 25, 2008 Author Share Posted August 25, 2008 Yeah, there's definitely no rush on this. I just wanted to put some timeframe on it, rather than leaving it completely open-ended. We can check in again next week and see where everyone stands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Oh, and just so y Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I gave my copy to my niece last year, so i just bought a new copy!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IATTBYB Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I gave my copy to my niece last year, so i just bought a new copy!!!!!Erik Larson thanks you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blindgonzo Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Just bought the book today and will start reading tonight! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fickerson Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I'm in! I picked up a copy on my way home from work tonight (even though I already had one at my parents' house - grr). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I'm in also.See if I can get started by weeks end.Assuming I can remember where my copy is?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Central Scrutinizer Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I'm in also.See if I can get started by weeks end.Assuming I can remember where my copy is??I was poring over the map in the front of the book in the checkout, and trying to figure out how many of those buildings are still standing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kimcatch22 Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I was poring over the map in the front of the book in the checkout, and trying to figure out how many of those buildings are still standing.Just one -- the Palace of Fine Arts is now the Museum of Science and Industry. And the Midway is more or less a big park now. You'll find out what happened to the rest of the fair at the end of the book. I'm totally gonna join you guys on this discussion. This book changed my academic focus and broadened my historical studies. And if any of you notice Erik Larson is speaking near you, go see him. He's an excellent speaker and really nice guy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I never really gave chicago a thought until i read this book and now (after visiting several times) it is probably my favorite american city. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 You'll find out what happened to the rest of the fair at the end of the book. I was just going to say... Despite the fact that this is historical non-fiction, let's try to keep "spoilers" to a minimum please, particularly since we're going to do this in two sections. Even for those of us who've read the book before, let's discuss the first half of the book first, and as much as possible, hold off of getting into "what happens next" until we're discussing the second half. For folks who don't live in Chicago, especially, some of the history will be information that we didn't have previously. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Central Scrutinizer Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Just one -- the Palace of Fine Arts is now the Museum of Science and Industry. And the Midway is more or less a big park now. You'll find out what happened to the rest of the fair at the end of the book. I'm totally gonna join you guys on this discussion. This book changed my academic focus and broadened my historical studies. And if any of you notice Erik Larson is speaking near you, go see him. He's an excellent speaker and really nice guy!I recognized the museum, I was just wondering about a few of the buildings in the foreground. He's got a pretty straightforward writing style in how he weaves together the content he's citing into his narrative. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted August 29, 2008 Author Share Posted August 29, 2008 Bump and reminder, if you haven't got the book yet, now would be a good time to pick it up and get reading! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foolnrain97 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Just one -- the Palace of Fine Arts is now the Museum of Science and Industry. And the Midway is more or less a big park now. You'll find out what happened to the rest of the fair at the end of the book. Technically, the Chicago Art Institute survived too.... also there's this:Two other significant buildings survived the fair. The first is the Norway pavilion, a building preserved at a museum called Little Norway in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The second is the Maine State Building, designed by Charles Sumner Frost, which was purchased by the Ricker family of Poland Spring, Maine. They moved the building to their resort to serve as a library and art gallery. But, of the buildings that are actually LABELED on the map in the book, none. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kimcatch22 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 You're gonna get called out for spoiling things that are common knowledge, smarty pants! But yeah, ok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foolnrain97 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 You're gonna get called out for spoiling things that are common knowledge, smarty pants! Eep. Me and the Art Institute building sort of have a "thing." I couldn't help myself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Bump and reminder, if you haven't got the book yet, now would be a good time to pick it up and get reading! Yes'm, were on it.Seventy pages in (or so). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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