On August 4th, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:
Let me first say that I do NOT want to seem overly critical of your group. That is the last thing I want to convey. That said, I am having a hard time understanding some of the responses you received in your group discussion. In particular, the statement of (”Maybe he wanted a gimmick to help sell his book.” “If he just wrote about the World’s Fair no one would want to read it.”)
Gimmick? JUST wrote about the World's Fair? Either that person is disconnected with reality or he/she didn't read the book. The level of detail that Mr. Larson uses is fascinating. I would enjoy a book about the creation of "Devil In White City" as much as the book itself. The research required to develop an exquisitely detailed account of such an important event, in not just American history but, world history as well, is completely overlooked by the critic in your group.
I feel that it can be quite easily argued that the 1893 Columbian Exposition did not just pave the way for the next century. This event gave birth to the 20th century. Almost every modern convenience we enjoy today was introduced at the CE. If not introduced, then refined from a previous concept. While it's true that many circles deride the lack of political activity, that is not always the standard by which the importance of an event is judged. If based purely on the level of invention and creativity we would have a very difficult task in finding one other singular event in American history that spawned so many inventions that applied directly to everyday life. For me that is a defining event indeed.
This post has rekindled my appreciation for such a wonderful book. Time to pull it off the shelf and dive into it again. Thank you Mr. Laub.
Let me first say that I do
Let me first say that I do NOT want to seem overly critical of your group. That is the last thing I want to convey. That said, I am having a hard time understanding some of the responses you received in your group discussion. In particular, the statement of (”Maybe he wanted a gimmick to help sell his book.” “If he just wrote about the World’s Fair no one would want to read it.”)
Gimmick? JUST wrote about the World's Fair? Either that person is disconnected with reality or he/she didn't read the book. The level of detail that Mr. Larson uses is fascinating. I would enjoy a book about the creation of "Devil In White City" as much as the book itself. The research required to develop an exquisitely detailed account of such an important event, in not just American history but, world history as well, is completely overlooked by the critic in your group.
I feel that it can be quite easily argued that the 1893 Columbian Exposition did not just pave the way for the next century. This event gave birth to the 20th century. Almost every modern convenience we enjoy today was introduced at the CE. If not introduced, then refined from a previous concept. While it's true that many circles deride the lack of political activity, that is not always the standard by which the importance of an event is judged. If based purely on the level of invention and creativity we would have a very difficult task in finding one other singular event in American history that spawned so many inventions that applied directly to everyday life. For me that is a defining event indeed.
This post has rekindled my appreciation for such a wonderful book. Time to pull it off the shelf and dive into it again. Thank you Mr. Laub.