If you enjoyed reading “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson, you may want to listen to author William Hazelgrove when he presents a lecture on Al Capone and the 1933 World’s Fair at the Santori Library in Aurora.
In “The Devil in the White City,” Larson intertwines the true tale of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their deaths.
Hazelgrove’s book, “Al Capone and the 1933 World’s Fair: The End of the Gangster Era in Chicago,” takes an historical look at the City during the darkest days of the Great Depression and the hold that organized crime had on Chicago during that time.
Hazelgrove will be a guest speaker from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. A book-signing will take place, and attendees can view a Capone-era display from the Library’s history archives.
In his book, Hazelgrove provides the exciting and sprawling history behind the 1933 World’s Fair; the last of the golden age. He reveals the story of six millionaire executives (The Secret Six) who beat Capone at his own game to end the gangster era when prohibition was repealed. Revealed is the rags-to-riches story of Sally Rand, known for her fan and bubble dances.
In fact, Rand’s most famous appearance was at the 1933 World’s Fair, Century of Progress. She played peek-a-boo with her body by manipulating ostrich-feather fans in front of and behind her.
The story of Rufus and Charles Dawes is told as well. They gave the fair its theme and then found financing in the worst economic times the country had experienced.
It’s the story of the most corrupt mayor of Chicago, William Thompson, who owed his election to Capone, and the mayor who followed him, Anton Cermak, who was murdered months before the fair opened by an assassin many said was hired by Capone.
Mostly, though, it’s the story of a city fighting for survival in the darkest of times and the shining light of hope called “A Century of Progress.”
Hazelgrove is the national bestselling author of 14 books. “Al Capone and the 1933 World’s Fair” is his most recent. Other nonfiction works are “The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson” and “Forging a President: How the Wild West Created Teddy Roosevelt.”
His books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence, where he wrote in the attic of Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace.
He has written articles and reviews for USA Today and other publications and has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. The New York Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, and USA Today all have covered his books with features. He runs a cultural blog, The View from Hemingway’s Attic.
He has presented speeches at the University Club in Chicago, and in Washington, D.C. at the Woodrow Wilson House. He has been on C-SPAN for the American History TV series.
Hazelgrove lives in Chicago. For more information about his books, go to his website: williamhazelgrove.com.
Registration is not necessary for the Saturday afternoon lecture.