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)

Well worth listening to

A fascinating story with powerful plots and characters intertwining. Larson delves into the biographical, scientific, and historical issues with great gusto and detail, both a strength and a weakness of his writing. Excellent presentation.

TV/movie actors are generally unfit to narrate.

This is the second audiobook I've listened to that featured a famous actor narrating. The first was awful (Tim Robbins). This one is worse. His inflections and stresses are bewildering: turning statements into questions and making odd pauses in otherwise simple sentences. It's like whoever was in the studio listening didn't want to upset Mr. Balaban. I'm just about done with it, but it's been a beating.

PHENOMENAL

Erik Larson is a National Treasure.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to read his previous book "The Devil in the White City", will definitely want to read this book.

Larson has the ability to connect very interesting historical and technical facts to a true-life murder mystery in such a way as to provide an account that you will have difficulty turning away from.

This is a book you will not want to miss.

Lots of Historical Detail

I like history, so this was a good book. It's a bit choppy going in between Marconi and the radio, and the actual murder though. The unabridged may be a bit better for those that want to get to the point. There have been some recent developments in this case since the book that you may want to look at after you listen to this book.

Great listening!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Thunderstruck to be better than the print version?

Way much YES

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not on the edge, however I did not stop reading daily

Have you listened to any of Bob Balaban’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, i do not have a reference

If you could give Thunderstruck a new subtitle, what would it be?

Wireless

Any additional comments?

Enhance the cover image it is blured

Weakest Erik Larson book

Only moderately interesting. Author apologizes for his penchant for detail, but apology not nearly adequate for the amount of irrelevant detail. Ending of the coda leaves the reader/listener hanging.

Production

Outstanding reader and compelling story. Unfortunately, the piece skipped three separate times. I was unable, even with rewinding, to play the skipped sections.

Enjoyed! Recommend! Would make a good move!

Thunderstruck brought me back to my youth. My grandfather ran Marconi's station on Nantucket Island I had heard many many stories growing up, especally about how my grandfather was the one who trained David Sarnoff... and as a Retired Law Enforcement Officer I found the Crippen story fascinating & griping... Would make a good movie!

Great book!

Enjoyed this presentation very much...another great book by author! I love the way he ties the stories and history together. Good narration also!

Exhausting

I loved Devil in the White City by same author but this seemed to be too detailed for me regarding Marconi's experiments. I liked his telling of the events leading up to murder and aftermath.