American Lightning

American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century is a non-fiction book by Howard Blum, published in 2008.

American Lightning
First edition
AuthorHoward Blum
CountryUnited States
Published2008
PublisherCrown/Archetype
ISBN9780307346940

Summary

The book is about the October 1, 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building by union members. Iron Workers Union leaders James and John McNamara plead not guilty. The detective who found out that the bombers were the McNamaras was Billy Burns, the head of Burns Detective Agency. The book also includes a considerable amount of information about the defense lawyer Clarence Darrow and film director D. W. Griffith, who were involved in the case.

Reception

Ohline H. Cogdill, of Miami Herald, said that the book is epic, gripping, and a cohesive non-fiction thriller.[1] Richard Rayner, of The Los Angeles Times, said that the book is excellent and sheds valuable new light on the bombing.[2]

Awards
  • Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Fact Crime, 2009[3]

References
  1. H. Cogdill, Ohline (2009-09-09). "Review / 'American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century'". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  2. Rayner, Richard (2008-09-21). "'American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century' by Howard Blum". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  3. "Search the Edgar® Award Winners and Nominees". Edgars Database. Mystery Writers of America. Retrieved January 28, 2013.


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