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American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, and the Birth of Hollywood
by Blum, Howard | PB | Acceptable
US $4.85
Approximately£3.61
Condition:
“Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ”... Read moreAbout condition
Acceptable
A book with obvious wear. May have some damage to the book cover but the book is still completely intact. The binding may be slightly damaged around the edges but it is still completely intact. May have some underlining and highlighting of text and some writing in the margins, but there are no missing pages or anything else that would compromise the readability or legibility of the text. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
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Estimated between Tue, 9 Sep and Mon, 15 Sep to 94104
Located in: Aurora, Illinois, United States
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eBay item number:376201091010
Item specifics
- Condition
- Acceptable
- Seller notes
- Binding
- Paperback
- Weight
- 0 lbs
- Product Group
- Book
- IsTextBook
- No
- ISBN
- 9780307346957
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Crown Publishing Group, T.H.E.
ISBN-10
0307346951
ISBN-13
9780307346957
eBay Product ID (ePID)
71854864
Product Key Features
Book Title
American Lightning : Terror, Mystery, and the Birth of Hollywood
Number of Pages
368 Pages
Language
English
Topic
Editors, Journalists, Publishers, United States / State & Local / West (Ak, CA, Co, Hi, Id, Mt, Nv, Ut, WY), United States / 20th Century, Terrorism, Political Ideologies / Anarchism, Film / History & Criticism
Publication Year
2009
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Political Science, Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography, History
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
0.8 in
Item Weight
10.8 Oz
Item Length
8 in
Item Width
5.2 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
Reviews
"An unforgettable tale of murder, deceit, celebrity, media manipulation, and film as propaganda, when the bombing of the Los Angeles Times building exposed the deadly 'national dynamite plot' by trade unionists to terrorize America with one-hundred bombings in a doomed attempt to force capitalism to its knees. The relentless pursuit, capture, trial, and punishment of the bombers made a national hero of America's Sherlock Holmes, master detective Billy Burns, and entangled crusading defense lawyer Clarence Darrow in a reckless, nearly career-ending scheme to bribe witnesses and jurors and throttle justice. Gripping, surprising, often thrilling,American Lightningranks among the most riveting works of narrative history." -James L. Swanson, author of the Edgar Award-winningNew York TimesbestsellerManhunt: The 12-Day Chase For Lincoln'sKiller "This is a wonderful story, with a cast of characters out of a Cecil B. DeMille epic, told in a style that is lucid, lyrical, even electric. Narrative history at its very best." -Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize winning author ofFounding BrothersandAmerican Creation "In an approach reminiscent of Truman Capote'sIn Cold Blood, Blum paints is characters in all their grandeur and tragedy, making them - and their era - come alive. Blum's prose is tight, his speculations unfailingly sound and his research extensive - all adding up to an absorbing and masterful true crime narrative." -Publishers Weekly(Starred Review) "The author's eye for scene-setting and subtle explication perfectly mimics a Griffith-style camera. Blum is at his best when exploring the motivations, the genius and the deep flaws of his three principals, men who occupied the same room only once in their lives, but who are memorably linked in this book. Unfailingly entertaining." -Kirkus Reviews(Starred Review) "InAmerican LightningHoward Blum brings to life the tragic bombing of the Los Angeles Times in l910. Writing with narrative verve and finely-honed detective instincts, Blum fleshes out the real story behind this hideous act of domestic terrorism. Highly recommended!" -Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author ofThe Great DelugeandTour of Dutyand Professor of History, Rice University "Howard Blum has given us a fascinating--and hugely entertaining--glimpse into early 20th-century America. The burgeoning labor movement, the dawn of the movies, bomb-toting anarchists, 'the crime of the century,' gimlet-eyed private detectives, Clarence Darrow, you name it and it's here. And--eat your hearts out, novelists--it's all true." -John Steele Gordon, author ofEmpire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power "As good a true-crime tale as you could hope to find, well-researched, vivid, irresistible." -Andrew Solomon, author of the National Book Award-winningThe Noonday Demon "Howard Blum has performed a literary miracle. He has brought back to vivid and relevant life a forgotten act of terrorism in America's past - and made it as suspenseful and crowded with unforgettable characters as any novel I have ever read." -Thomas Fleming,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Officers' Wives, Time and TideandThe Perils of Peace "American Lightningstrikes at the soul of Los Angeles the wayRagtimerevealed turn-of-the-century New York. Like E. L. Doctorow, Howard Blum has capt, "Extraordinary…[reads] like a horseless-carriage episode of '24.'" -Wall Street Journal "An absorbing, novel-like narrative…masterfully crafted…Blum's dedication to digging for facts and adhering to journalistic principles in reporting this entangled and multifaceted tale l00 years after the fact raises comparisons to Truman Capote's diligence in writing IN COLD BLOOD…AMERICAN LIGHTNING is a must-read." -USA Today "Hugely engaging…has tremendous verve…AMERICAN LIGHTNING throws valuable new light on an episode that seems, for us today, particularly pertinent. Terrorism happened here." -Los Angeles Times "A fast-moving, skillfully constructed account…Blum's style is cinematic." -Chicago Sun-Times "Compelling…a tense detective story." -The Seattle Times "A thumping-good drum roll of narrative history…the cross-country manhunt reads like a great mystery novel…Blum blows the dust off a page of America's own incendiary past and brings it to pulsating life." -Dallas Morning News "Blum's engaging prose makes this scandal - with its O.J.-trial-like impact - come alive." -Details "In an approach reminiscent of Truman Capote's IN COLD BLOOD, Blum paints is characters in all their grandeur and tragedy, making them - and their era - come alive. Blum's prose is tight, his speculations unfailingly sound and his research extensive - all adding up to an absorbing and masterful true crime narrative." -Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "The author's eye for scene-setting and subtle explication perfectly mimics a Griffith-style camera. Blum is at his best when exploring the motivations, the genius and the deep flaws of his three principals, men who occupied the same room only once in their lives, but who are memorably linked in this book. Unfailingly entertaining." -Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) "Completely riveting…Blum chronicles the trial and its aftermath, building suspense with an astonishing cast of characters." -Booklist (Starred Review) "Master detective William Burns on one side and famed attorney Clarence Darrow on the other…A riveting account of 20th century homegrown political terrorism." -Library Journal "An unforgettable tale of murder, deceit, celebrity, media manipulation, and film as propaganda, when the bombing of the Los Angeles Times building exposed the deadly 'national dynamite plot' by trade unionists to terrorize America with one-hundred bombings in a doomed attempt to force capitalism to its knees. The relentless pursuit, capture, trial, and punishment of the bombers made a national hero of America's Sherlock Holmes, master detective Billy Burns, and entangled crusading defense lawyer Clarence Darrow in a reckless, nearly career-ending scheme to bribe witnesses and jurors and throttle justice. Gripping, surprising, often thrilling, AMERICAN LIGHTNING ranks among the most riveting works of narrative history." -James L. Swanson, author of the Edgar Award-winning New York Times bestseller MANHUNT: THE 12-DAY CHASE FOR LINCOLN'S KILLER "This is a wonderful story, with a cast of characters out of a Cecil B. DeMille epic, told in a style that is lucid, lyrical, even electric. Narrative history at its very best." -Joseph J.
Dewey Decimal
364.1523097
Synopsis
In this masterpiece of narrative history, acclaimed author Howard Blum evokes the original "crime of the century" and an aftermath even more dramatic than the crime itselfa seminal episode in America's history that would spark national debate and draw into its orbit master sleuth William J. Burns, crusading lawyer Clarence Darrow, and industry-shaping filmmaker D. W. Griffith. "Hugely engaging . . . has tremendous verve . . . American Lightning throws valuable new light on an episode that seems, for us today, particularly pertinent. Terrorism happened here." Los Angeles Times "A fast-moving, skillfully constructed account . . . Blum's style is cinematic." Chicago Sun-Times "Compelling . . . a tense detective story." Seattle Times "A thumping-good drumroll of narrative history . . . the cross-country manhunt reads like a great mystery novel . . . Blum blows the dust off a page of America's own incendiary past and brings it to pulsating life." Dallas Morning News, In this masterpiece of narrative history, acclaimed author Howard Blum evokes the original "crime of the century" and an aftermath even more dramatic than the crime itself-a seminal episode in America's history that would spark national debate and draw into its orbit master sleuth William J. Burns, crusading lawyer Clarence Darrow, and industry-shaping filmmaker D. W. Griffith. "Hugely engaging . . . has tremendous verve . . . American Lightning throws valuable new light on an episode that seems, for us today, particularly pertinent. Terrorism happened here." -Los Angeles Times "A fast-moving, skillfully constructed account . . . Blum's style is cinematic." -Chicago Sun-Times "Compelling . . . a tense detective story." -Seattle Times "A thumping-good drumroll of narrative history . . . the cross-country manhunt reads like a great mystery novel . . . Blum blows the dust off a page of America's own incendiary past and brings it to pulsating life." -Dallas Morning News
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- v***v (2080)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAlthough this book was not as described, with no picture of it in the listing, the seller communicated well and quickly gave me a full refund while letting me keep it. The minimal packaging left the book a bit vulnerable (typical for ThriftBooks), but it did arrive safely and timely. As usual, it’s hit or miss with this seller, but often times you can get great values, and their customer service is always very good. Many other sellers with millions of transactions don’t even communicate.
- c***m (431)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseWOW!; I cannot believe this 3 Days to Hawaii! ; AAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii!; Shipped 05/05, Mon, Received 05/08, Thu to Hawaii using free shipping; USPS Ground Mail, Book in Excellent Condition--Better Than Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!The Internment of Japanese Americans During World War II (#146005407795)
- 7***j (830)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseI recently purchased an item from this eBay seller, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From the prompt communication to the fast shipping, everything was handled with utmost professionalism. The item arrived exactly as described and was well-packaged to ensure its safety during transit. The seller was courteous and responsive, making the entire transaction smooth and hassle-free. I highly recommend this seller to anyone looking for quality products and excellent service.
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- 02 Jun, 2020
A great story
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-ownedSold by: discover-books
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Popular categories from this shop
Seller Feedback (5,724,620)
- v***v (2080)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAlthough this book was not as described, with no picture of it in the listing, the seller communicated well and quickly gave me a full refund while letting me keep it. The minimal packaging left the book a bit vulnerable (typical for ThriftBooks), but it did arrive safely and timely. As usual, it’s hit or miss with this seller, but often times you can get great values, and their customer service is always very good. Many other sellers with millions of transactions don’t even communicate.
- c***m (431)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseWOW!; I cannot believe this 3 Days to Hawaii! ; AAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii!; Shipped 05/05, Mon, Received 05/08, Thu to Hawaii using free shipping; USPS Ground Mail, Book in Excellent Condition--Better Than Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!The Internment of Japanese Americans During World War II (#146005407795)
- 7***j (830)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseI recently purchased an item from this eBay seller, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From the prompt communication to the fast shipping, everything was handled with utmost professionalism. The item arrived exactly as described and was well-packaged to ensure its safety during transit. The seller was courteous and responsive, making the entire transaction smooth and hassle-free. I highly recommend this seller to anyone looking for quality products and excellent service.