'Thunderstruck'

'Thunderstruck' is a book by Erik Larson that is a true story that interweaves notable researchers and inventors like Guglielmo Marconi, John Fleming, Heinrich Hertz, and Nikola Tesla with that of Dr. Hawley Crippen, a famous murderer.

Crippen, was an American physician hanged in Pentonville Prison, London, England, on November 23, 1910, for the murder of his wife, Cora Henrietta Crippen. He holds the unenviable distinction of being the first criminal ever to be captured with the aid of wireless communication.

As you might surmise, the story takes place between the late 1800's and the early 1900's and is historically accurate . This is especially true in its treatment of how Marconi became a major "mover and shaker" of his day accompanied by the obstacles that go with success.

Any radio ham that is a reader should enjoy this book. According to the QCWA's Val Erwin, W5PUT, once he started reading, he could not put it down.

'Thunderstruck' is available either in hardback or paperback at all normal book outlets and from on-line booksellers like Amazon dot com.

ARNewsline, W5PUT

More information on Dr. Hawley Crippen can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen