Hi Everyone-

Well, I'm still working away at the buying for our upcoming Crystal City store, so once again, I'll just briefly mention a book: Erik Larson's brand new follow-up to The Devil in the White City (the Energizer Bunny of book sales), Thunderstruck. It features another seemingly hard-to-reconcile pairing: Guglielmo Marconi, creator and perfector of wireless communication, and Hawley Harvey Crippen, the put-upon doctor who commits one of England's most notorious murders.

Larson's new saga features the parallel storylines of Crippen's sad fate and Marconi's race to become the master of wireless before his many imitators and competitors could catch up to him. The parallel tracks compliment each other nicely, with Marconi's rush to perfect his invention (he starts by transmitting across his yard and before long is attempting a transatlantic message) neatly balanced by the slow, inexorable work of fate upon Crippen.

Marconi's and Crippen's stories finally intertwine when Crippen attempts a shipboard escape--with his mistress, and in disguise--and Marconi's invention plays a pivotal role in the authorities' attempt to capture him.

Suffice it to say that Larson has done it again, and this marvelously intriguing (and much anticipated!) work of historical drama is another great read in an outstanding fall season. Stop by and pick up a copy today!

See you in the stores,

Joe Murphy
Head Book Buyer