I’ve just finished reading Thunderstruck (thank you Jeff for the recommendation) and-as usual I’m impressed by Erik Larson’s research and writing. In short, Larson does another masterful job of threading together two stories that unfold during the same time and have historical significance.
In Thunderstruck, one of these stories is about Marconi’s struggle to perfect wireless communication while the other is about a Dr. Crippen, a mild-mannered man driven to murder by a dominating, demanding wife. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering how these two stories had any bearing on each other.
…and here’s the Did-You-Know-This part.
I also enjoyed discovering some things about this Edwardian period that I didn’t know. For one, I’d always thought the co-axial cable that connected Europe with the U.S. had been laid on the Atlantic floor sometime in the mid-1900s. Actually, it first connected both sides of the world in 1858. It ran from Ireland to Newfoundland.
And did you know Marconi was not a trained scientist? I didn’t. That was one of the reasons, the scientific community resisted his claims. Another was that he didn’t behave like a scientist-well, that figures. He refused to share his failures and fudged a bit on his successes. Not very scientific.
Whenever I learn something new while reading a well-crafted, well-researched book, I’m grateful and excited. If you have a book to recommend, I’m always up for suggestions.
This month I did a bit of promo for my Pete and Weasel middle-grade fantasy series. N.N Light Book Heaven is running a giveaway that you might be interested in if you’re a reader and like to buy books.
Enter and get some free books…maybe.
Quote of the Week: “You know, everybody’s ignorant, just on different subjects.”
― Will Rogers
Ooh, this sounds interesting. I’ll have to add it to the growing wishlist.
I find the whole business of laying cables under the ocean fascinating!
Sounds like a wonderful read.
It’s always fun to learn interesting facts like that when reading.
I had no idea about the co-axel cable. This sounds like a fascinating book.
I found it very informative and a nice break from fiction, which I need every so often.
Hi Lee - I didn’t know Marconi wasn’t a scientist as such - but he had plenty of knowledge. I did know about the transAtlantic cables … as there’s a Marconi Museum in Porthcurno, Cornwall very near Penzance/St Ives - a regular walking/driving area for us - my Ma’s home area.
I hadn’t realised Crippen was an American … thanks for the introduction to Larson’s books - and I look forward to Jeff’s next recommendation … cheers Hilary
Jeff offers up some interesting choices, and I appreciate that a lot.
I don’t tend to read too much ‘narrative non-fiction’, however this one really grabbed my attention, as the blending of fact with fiction appears to offer a lovely storyline alongside some important historical facts.
Whether it be fact, fiction, or a blending of the two, I always enjoy a book or series which is meticulously researched. My husband will always pooh-pooh my reading of fiction, as he is strictly a non-fiction reader; however I maintain that I can learn as much from my fiction reading, so long as the research is accurate and has been carried out with genuine enthusiasm by the author.
‘Thunderstruck’ is heading for my ‘wish list’ 🙂
I love both kinds of literature, and I agree with you when you say you appreciate well-researched books. Larson used to be a journalist, and I think that comes through in his literary work. Hope you enjoy the read.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I agree that it is a welcome surprise to encounter a novel that offers education along with entertainment. Thunderstruck’s parallel storylines enabled you to benefit from Erik’s extensive research and learn new facts about Marconi, his achievements, his struggle with the scientific community and the history of co-ax cable.
The Will Rogers quote is a great one. I often wonder which it better, to know a little about a lot of things, or to know a lot about only a few things. Sometimes I fear that I am in a third category, a person who knows only a little about a few things.
Thank you very much for coming to Shady’s Place and showing that you care about the plight of the Ukrainian people. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
I might be in that third category right along with you, Shady! It’s not so bad to be here. I like to jump into a lot of different areas, but I’m not really good at going deep. I’d be a rotten heart specialist. 🙂
Yes, science is supposed to be transparent. Alas, I doubt many scientists live up to that ideal, even today.
The scientific community castigated Marconi for his secrecy. Well, you know that glass house/stones metaphore…
A co-axel cable that connected the world in 1858? Who’d a thought.
Indeed.
I found it interesting how the cable companies sued Marconi, an attempt to reduce competition! I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I will post a review for another book I think everyone in the West need to read later today: Anne Applebaum, “Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine”. It provides a lot of background to the current situation in Europe.
Poor Ukraine. They’re at the mercy of their geography, aren’t they? I look forward to your review and will mark the book TBR.
Rather impressive the cable was laid down that long ago.
History always surprises me.