Thunderstruck

Erik Larson’s Thunderstruck is a 2006 work of narrative nonfiction that braids two seemingly unrelated historical events that captured public attention in the pre-World War I years. The first involves the emerging and transformative technology of wireless communication designed by Marconi, the second a gruesome murder in London perpetrated by a seemingly docile and genial doctor named Crippen. Thunderstruck follows the success of Larson’s 2003 Devil in the White City, which coupled America’s first major serial killer with the Chicago World’s Fair. The book highlights the peculiarities of Edwardian London, exploring the public’s fascination with the occult, emerging sciences, and a growing distrust of foreigners that culminates in war with Germany. The book explores themes of missed opportunities and misunderstandings, alighting on the two perplexing and contradictory characters of Marconi and Crippen. Larsen is known for his meticulous attention to detail. The book received criticism for its slow delivery, especially in the segments detailing Marconi’s experimentation, and acclaim for its thorough detail regarding the Crippen murder. Larsen is a bestselling author with six books reaching the New York Times Bestseller list.

This guide refers to the 2006 Broadway Books edition.

Content Warning: The source material features a murder, including graphic details of the murder and the post-mortem investigations with descriptions of mutilated body parts.