Challenge Faves
Michael Bowler
Michael Bowler asked Erik Larson:

I am really looking forward to reading your new book. The Lusitania has always fascinated me, though not as much as Titanic. One of my favorite books ever is The Devil in the White City. Did you spend time Chicago visiting the sites and locations when you did research, and where did you find all the minute details about the creation of the White City and the series of murders that transpired during the fair?

Erik Larson I spent a lot of time in Chicago, and really got to know the city (and a couple of bars). The Chicago Historical Society has an amazing trove of materials on the city and on the world's fair; the Art Institute had the day-to-day correspondence of Burnham's office--which was invaluable. Holmes, meanwhile, left behind a book and numerous confessions, as well as testimony in his trial. And the news coverage that followed the revelations about his "horror hotel" was incredible.
flag

More Answered Questions

Ruth
Ruth asked Erik Larson:

So do you start off on the road to a new writing project because it is something you yourself are interested in learning more about? Or is the decision more pragmatic than that?

Kathy
Kathy asked Erik Larson:

This question contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

Diego Cuenca
Diego Cuenca asked Erik Larson:

Your take on indisputably deeply researched historical subjects never ceases to amaze me. The narrative, structure, and complex fluidity of your works on such compelling and distinctive subjects make your books some of the most admired non-fiction works in recent times. Which modern, non-fiction works do you admire the most?

All answers from Erik Larson…
Erik Larson
70,055 followers
To ask Erik Larson a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more