What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Devil in the White City
Erik Larson · Book · 2003
If you loved The Devil in the White City, start with The House That Jack Built (Lars von Trier, 2018) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Devil in the White City across media.
You were drawn to The Devil in the White City because of the unsettling proximity between grand human achievement and absolute moral depravity.
Films on the same thread
Schindler's List
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1993
Explores: Survival, Moral Courage, Dehumanization.
Like The Devil in the White City, this film navigates the harrowing tension between industrial-scale dehumanization and the quiet, persistent moral courage required to preserve human life.
The House That Jack Built
Lars von Trier · Film · 2018
Explores: Sociopathy, Nihilism, Moral Decay.
This film mirrors the architectural fixation found in The Devil in the White City, replacing the construction of a world fair with a murderer’s dark, aesthetic obsession.
Se7en
David Fincher · Film · 1995
Explores: Moral Decay, Urban Decay, Good vs Evil.
Much like the urban landscape of The Devil in the White City, this film frames a serial killer’s calculated violence against the backdrop of a decaying, indifferent city.
The Silence of the Lambs
Jonathan Demme · Film · 1991
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Psychological Manipulation, Female Empowerment.
You will recognize the chilling intellectual chess match from The Devil in the White City here, as a brilliant psychopath manipulates those attempting to contain his lethal influence.
Series on the same thread
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin · Series · 2021
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
This series captures the true crime obsession that defines the legacy of The Devil in the White City, transforming a fascination with dark history into an engaging investigation.
White Collar
Jeff Eastin · Series · 2009
Explores: Partnership, Redemption, Moral Ambiguity.
The partnership between a criminal and an authority figure echoes the complex, morally ambiguous dynamic between the subjects who anchored the narrative of The Devil in the White City.
Deadwood
David Milch · Series · 2004
Explores: Lawlessness and Order, Frontier Justice, Corruption.
This drama mirrors the historical scope of The Devil in the White City, documenting the messy, violent transition of a lawless frontier into a structured, organized community.
The Looming Tower
Lawrence Wright · Series · 2018
Explores: Counterterrorism, Intelligence Failure, Bureaucratic Inefficiency.
Similar to the bureaucratic friction in The Devil in the White City, this story examines how systemic inefficiency and organizational rivalry can lead to monumental, tragic consequences.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Just as The Devil in the White City grounded its horror in historical reality, this podcast dives into the moral ambiguity and consequences of power throughout human history.
Dark History
Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Shares 2 threads with The Devil in the White City: historical non-fiction, true crime.
This podcast shares the investigative spirit of The Devil in the White City, uncovering the dark, often hidden narratives that lurk beneath the surface of official historical accounts.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Devil in the White City a work of fiction?
The Devil in the White City is a historical account written by Erik Larson. It details the true events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, focusing on the contrasting lives of architect Daniel H. Burnham and serial killer Herman Mudgett during the construction of the event.
What is the primary focus of The Devil in the White City?
The Devil in the White City centers on the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The narrative follows two specific men who shaped the history of the fair: Daniel H. Burnham, who coordinated the construction of the event, and Herman Mudgett, a serial killer operating during that time.
Who are the two main figures featured in The Devil in the White City?
The Devil in the White City profiles two men who were instrumental to the history of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. These individuals are Daniel H. Burnham, the architect who coordinated the construction of the fair, and Herman Mudgett, a serial killer active in the city.
Does The Devil in the White City cover the history of the Chicago World's Fair?
Yes, The Devil in the White City provides an account of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The book explores the history of the fair through the experiences of Daniel H. Burnham, the architect in charge of construction, and Herman Mudgett, who committed murders during the event.