About the book
A true story of love, murder, and the end of the world’s “great hush.”
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—whose 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 murder.
With his unparalleled narrative skills, Erik Larson guides us through a relentlessly suspenseful chase over 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.
Editions of Thunderstruck
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781400080663
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780739326763
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781400080670
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307351920
- Audiobook
- ISBN 9781415932780
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780739339640
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780739339664
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780739346860
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780739339657
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9781415932797
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780307914231
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780739339633
Read an Excerpt
A true story of love, murder, and the end of the world’s “great hush.”
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—whose 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 murder.
With his unparalleled narrative skills, Erik Larson guides us through a relentlessly suspenseful chase over 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thunderstruck about?
A true story of love, murder, and the end of the world’s “great hush.”
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—whose 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 murder.
With his unparalleled narrative skills, Erik Larson guides us through a relentlessly suspenseful chase over 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.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Thunderstruck?
History and Archaeology > History > General and world history
Where can I read a sample of Thunderstruck?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781400080663
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Thunderstruck?
Erik Larson
Who is the Publisher of the book Thunderstruck?
Crown
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Thunderstruck is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781400080663) and hardcover(ISBN 9780739326763) and paperback(ISBN 9781400080670) and ebook(ISBN 9780307351920) and audiobook(ISBN 9781415932780) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780739339640) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780739339664) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780739346860) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780739339657) and audiodisc(ISBN 9781415932797) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780307914231) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780739339633)
Where can I buy Thunderstruck online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Thunderstruck from below
Where can I buy Thunderstruck?