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.

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Tim Parker

Tim Parker asked Erik Larson:

"Isaac's Storm" captivated me. I go to Galveston often. I still get a heartbroken feeling every time I pass by Walmart & think of the orphans & nuns. I swam from the seawall at low tide, full moon & out at least a hundred yards & could still find a sandbar to stand on. Isn't that what Isaac said would make it invulnerable to hurricanes? "In the Garden of the Beasts" was great! They would both make excellent films.

Samantha

Samantha asked Erik Larson:

Have you ever grown 'attached', so to speak, to any of the historical individuals you've researched for your writing? Were there any, for whom, you would have wished a different fate?

Andrea Zimmer

Andrea Zimmer asked Erik Larson:

Hi Erik, I love, love, love your work and look forward to reading Dead Wake! I'm curious ... which part do you like better, the research or the writing? Best, Andrea

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