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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this novel. It was a great look into the life of Paul Cravath and the events surrounding the lawsuit between Edison and Westinghouse. I like the way the story was written, and the drama was honestly entertaining. It felt a little slow at times to me, but overall it was a cool historical fiction read!
I really got into this story and the race for the fame. The ending was a bit contrived, which was interesting because it was the almost historically accurate. A fun read.
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Although sounding at times far fetched, this story turns out to be a mostly true account of great inventors, the birth of the modern legal firm model and the business world of the late 19th century. Well written and performed (Audible version.)
If you think a book about the "War of Currents" over A/C vs D/C between Westinghouse and Edison and the disputed patent for the light bulb would be boring you would be dead wrong. Throw in the eccentric genius Nikola Tesla, powerful banker J. P. Morgan, a young up and coming lawyer named Paul Cravath, and a love interest in the form of a beautiful Metropolitan Opera singer with a shady past--does it still sound boring?
Graham Moore's historical fiction novel The Last Days of Night is a rollicking good read. I enjoyed every page, and the pages flew by very fast.
In 1888 the 20th c was being invented: electric lights, the telephone, moving pictures, x-rays. Invention as pure research was Tesla's love, but for Westinghouse and Edison the legal battle over the patent for the light bulb would determine the future of their business.
Paul Cravath obsessively works to defeat Edison's law suites against Westinghouse. He stops at nothing, not even for love. Convoluted twists, intrigue, and shady dealings enliven the story.
And you will learn solid history and even (gasp) how direct and alternate electric power differs. It becomes evident when A/C current fails to kill in the 1890 first use of an electric chair.
The people and events are all based on history, with a little tweaking. Moore nicely includes his sources for the novel's events.
Graham Moore wrote the award winning adaptation screenplay for The Imitation Game.
The movie rights have been sold. The book is so graphically drawn I can just picture it playing out as a movie. I for one can't wait!
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Graham Moore's historical fiction novel The Last Days of Night is a rollicking good read. I enjoyed every page, and the pages flew by very fast.
In 1888 the 20th c was being invented: electric lights, the telephone, moving pictures, x-rays. Invention as pure research was Tesla's love, but for Westinghouse and Edison the legal battle over the patent for the light bulb would determine the future of their business.
Paul Cravath obsessively works to defeat Edison's law suites against Westinghouse. He stops at nothing, not even for love. Convoluted twists, intrigue, and shady dealings enliven the story.
And you will learn solid history and even (gasp) how direct and alternate electric power differs. It becomes evident when A/C current fails to kill in the 1890 first use of an electric chair.
The people and events are all based on history, with a little tweaking. Moore nicely includes his sources for the novel's events.
Graham Moore wrote the award winning adaptation screenplay for The Imitation Game.
The movie rights have been sold. The book is so graphically drawn I can just picture it playing out as a movie. I for one can't wait!
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
mysterious
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Authors notes were great! Very informative.
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a fascinating read about a time I know little about. I saw this on a book list and thought the subject matter sounded interesting. It did not disappoint. My 14 year old and my husband also read it, and we're all fans. It is based on a true story with actual events and people portrayed, but then it is dramatized to fill in unknown gaps, clean up the timeline, and make it a more interesting and full read.