Thunderstruck Summary and Reviews

Thunderstruck
by Erik Larson

Thunderstruck
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Book Summary Information

Author: Erik Larson
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-25
ISBN: 1400080673
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: Broadway

Book Reviews of Thunderstruck

Book Review: "More than a saga of violence"
Summary: 4 Stars

In his opening note, Larson tells the reader that he hopes "to present a fresh portrait of the period 1900 to 1910/ By chronicling the converging stories of a killer and an inventor." The author accomplishes exactly what he intended in this highly researched and detailed account of the lives of Guglielmo Marconi and Hawley Crippen. The back of the book contains over forty pages of sources. I enjoyed this book because it read just like a novel, yet I knew that each action and quote was specifically researched. A slight problem that some people may encounter is the amount of information that Larson so eagerly wants to share about these two individuals. He even mentions that there was so much more that he wanted to share. (Thank you for the consideration Mr. Larson, but I found that there was plenty of information to satisfy any inquiring reader.) While there is a lot of information it is all very clear and understandable.

This book reads just as if it were two seperate stories. I became surprisingly interested in the complex and suspenseful pusuit of obtaining a patent. Marconi's story also portrays the determination and obsession that an individual may experience while working towards a great achievement. Crippen's story is interesting because it shows how an ordinary "nice guy," who doesn't seem to be able to stick up for himself, may become enslaved within the talons of his wife; and the consequences that may occur. Larson offers accurate and insightful narratives of two different people living at the same time.

Larson's tone is very enlightening. It seems like Larson had a fun time researching and writing this book which makes it an enjoyable non-fiction read.

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