Thunderstruck

By: Erik Larson

Narrated by: Bob Balaban

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In Thunderstruck, Erik Larson tells the interwoven stories of two men: Hawley Crippen, a very unlikely murderer, and Guglielmo Marconi, the obsessive creator of a seemingly supernatural means of communication. Their lives intersect during one of the greatest criminal chases of all time.

Set in Edwardian London and on the stormy coasts of Cornwall, Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia, Thunderstruck evokes the dynamism of those years when great shipping companies competed to build the biggest, fastest ocean liners; scientific advances dazzled the public with visions of a world transformed; and the rich outdid one another with ostentatious displays of wealth. Against this background, Marconi races against incredible odds and relentless skepticism to perfect his invention: the wireless, a prime catalyst for the emergence of the world we know today. Meanwhile, Crippen, "the kindest of men", nearly commits the perfect crime.

With his superb narrative skills, Erik Larson guides these parallel narratives toward a relentlessly suspenseful meeting on the waters of the North Atlantic. Along the way, he tells of a sad and tragic love affair that was described on the front pages of newspapers around the world, a chief inspector who found himself strangely sympathetic to the killer and his lover, and a driven and compelling inventor who transformed the way we communicate.

Thunderstruck presents a vibrant portrait of an era of séances, science, and fog, inhabited by inventors, magicians, and Scotland Yard detectives, all presided over by the amiable and fun-loving Edward VII as the world slid inevitably toward the first great war of the 20th century.

Gripping from the start, and rich with fascinating detail about the time, the people, and the new inventions that connect and divide us, Thunderstruck is splendid narrative history from a master of the form.

©2006 Erik Larson (P)2006 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Larson has a knack for creating genuine suspense in his writing, and his latest is thoroughly enthralling." (Booklist)

"Splendid, beautifully written.... Thunderstruck triumphantly resurrects the spirit of another age." (Publishers Weekly)

Story and history

Monotone voice. Story subject beyond my understanding.. my bad! I learned a lot … but not very interested in subject.

Marconi, murder, mix well

I have enjoyed the unabridged audio book version of Thunderstruck read by the actor Bob Balaban, although I couldn't honestly say if it would hold my interest as much in print. Balaban has a pleasant yet oddly flat delivery that does not distract from the narrative. This, the author's second book in which he utilizes the formula of juxtaposition - where two seemingly unrelated bits of history, one sensational, the other pivotal in scientific advancement, find a unifying thread - might just cement Larson into writing solely in this sub-genre of his own device. Since, for me, pure dry facts of history or science tend not to hold my attention for long, I sincerely hope this style blossoms, not only from Larson but from other history scholars hoping to actually make some serious somolians from their long hours of difficult research by squeezing just a tincture of creative pulp into their work. Who says history can't drop a dose of the good stuff and shake its booty once in a while?

Interesting but no "White City"

Not as good as Devil in the White City, but a similar format following scientist Marconi and contemporary EveryMan-turned-murderer Dr. Crippen. I enjoyed the historical descriptions of the development of wireless communication, including the personal jealousies and enemy-making practices of the scientists/engineers involved. The turn of that century seemed to be a point where the gentleman's scientific pursuit for shared knowledge butted heads with patented technology for commercial gain.

Masterful

Larson melds history and narrative with verve and seamless acumen. He is a marvelous writer.

Marconi: Jerk of the Century

Would you try another book from Erik Larson and/or Bob Balaban?

Yes, I have read Larson's books before and they are good. This one was NOT one of his best.

Would you recommend Thunderstruck to your friends? Why or why not?

I am not sure. The story about Marconi is kind of mind numbing and he apparently was a real piece of crap elitist so it's hard to get into his character or what he did (though granted, what he did was help usher in the modern era). The Crippen story is told in such a lackluster way that it's not very interesting. So I do not really think I would.

What three words best describe Bob Balaban’s performance?

Straight forward.

Did Thunderstruck inspire you to do anything?

No, just pay better attention to Larson's books.

Any additional comments?

If you are not into science and find some characters are just so very hard to like (Marconi for instance) then you might not like this. The crime seems to take a backseat to the murder and the chase.

Unless I missed it, the book did not say that they have determined the remains in the Crippen basement were that of a male and records in America seem to indicate his wife left him and perhaps dictated a letter to have sent to him telling him that she was sorry but she was not coming forward.

England hung and innocent man but honestly back then, it would be hard to think he was anything but guilty.

History and Mystery

Well done. The narrator is excellent. I love it when you can get two stories in one book. Highly recommend.

Great Story Well Told

Erik Larson tells incredibly interesting stories and I found his self-proclaimed ramblings away from the main subject very interesting and engaging. Erik is on my list of buy and read or listen to every new book he produces without question because I know they will be interesting, entertaining and compelling. And Bob Balaban's reading of the book was top notch. True fun.

Wonderful Story

This is a great book for fans of history and mystery. Mr. Larson does an excellent job weaving two stories together.

Another great Erik Larson read

The story has a slow start, and I almost gave up, but the wait was worth it. I knew how wireless changed wars, but the closer perspective of how it changed individual lives is so interesting.

Though Thunderstruck isn’t my favorite of Larson’s books, it is written with the same fluid integration of thorough historical investigation and captivating storytelling - a great read!

Very good read!

Very interesting and, at times, really gripping. Eric Lawson is an excellent writer. Very good read!