The Beast of Chicago: An Account of the Life and Crimes of Herman W. Mudgett, Known to the World As H.H. Holmes

by Rick Geary | Graphic Novels |
ISBN: 1561633623 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 12/15/2006
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, December 15, 2006
I have several of Geary's graphic-novel-format books about famous murderers - the term "graphic novel" is a misnomer here as these are non-fiction, but "graphic non-fiction" doesn't sound right. Anyway, Geary has written about Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper and several other famous killers, and in this book he tackles one of the most bizarre of the lot. Not only was Mudgett/Holmes a con artist of considerable ability but when he took to murder - first to eliminate inconvenient witnesses and later apparently for the fun of it - he excelled in quantity and in style. Not content with knocking people off in remote cabins, he built an elaborate house designed for the purpose of imprisoning, tormenting, killing, and disposing of victims - and he got away with it for a surprising amount of time.

The stark black-and-white illustrations in the book tend to de-emphasize the more dramatic aspects of the case, but somehow the lack of sensationalism makes the facts that much more disturbing...

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, January 12, 2007
Controlled release:

I'm adding this book to Megi53's Wild Releaser's Bookbox. Hope someone enjoys it!

Journal Entry 3 by Dusties from Pompey, New York USA on Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Arrived in NY safe and sound and will be heading to Colebear who is next to rec. the bookbox.

Journal Entry 4 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Monday, February 12, 2007
I selected this from Megi53's Wild Releaser's bookbox #1. I've never been a huge fan of graphic novels, but this looks too tempting to resist.

Journal Entry 5 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Sunday, February 18, 2007
Wow. I'd never heard of H.H. Holmes before, but he was certainly a nasty individual. I don't usually like Graphic Novels, but I thourghly enjoyed this. So did my boyfriend. H.H. Holmes has been the topic of some very interesting (and gruesome) dinner conversations of late. I'll be releasing the book in the near future. Maybe today even.


Journal Entry 6 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Monday, February 19, 2007
Took this to Starbucks to release while I was having coffee with a fellow bookcrosser so she took it home. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.

Journal Entry 7 by avoidinreality from Orange Park, Florida USA on Monday, February 19, 2007
Rcvd from colebear over Starbucks. Looking forward to reading!

Journal Entry 8 by avoidinreality from Orange Park, Florida USA on Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Wow. This was my first experience with a graphic novel and I definately will be seeking out more of them. Like colebear, I had not heard of HH Holmes before and am further intriged by his story. It is amazing to me how some people are given so much charm and intelligence and then use those gifts in such a heinous way. I love how the black and white illustrations create a dark, gritty world in which his story is told.

I am a member of paperbackswap.com and a fellow PBS had this book on their wishlist so I will be sending it across a few states to them. They are aware of the bookcrossing status of the book. Hope to see a journal entry soon. =)

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