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American Lightning
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American Lightning (2008) (edit title/settings)

Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century

by Howard Blum (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

It was an explosion that reverberated across the country—and into the very heart of early-twentieth-century America. On the morning of October 1, 1910, the walls of the Los Angeles Times Building buckled as a thunderous detonation sent men, machinery, and mortar rocketing into the night air.... read more

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Billy Burns: The country's greatest detective, often called "the American Sherlock Holmes".
  • Raymond Burns: A son trying to win his father's love--and catch the bombers.
  • Guy Biddinger: Policeman, detective--and mole in the enemy's camp.
  • Bert Franklin: Former U.S. Marshal. His job for the defense: to ensure the jury votes for acquittal.
  • J.W. McGraw: A sawdust trail feeds speculation that he is the elusive Peoria, Illinois, bomb-maker.
  • J.B. Bryce: Purchaser of 80 percent dynamite from the Giant Powder company in San Francisco, explosives that are perhaps being used for more than "uprooting tree trunks".
  • David Caplan (aka William Capp): Anarchist with his own interest in purchasing dynamite.
  • M.A. Schmidt: Another anarchist, who pilots a boat at the center of the case.
  • J.J. McNamara: Engaging, handsome, lady's man, union official, and "a martyr to his cause."
  • Jim McNamara: Brother of J.J., on the run and potentially dangerous.
  • Ortie McManigal: Friend to the McNamaras. Out of work, yet not out of money.
  • Harrison Gray Otis: Cantankerous owner of the Los Angeles Times and a schemer determined to make a fortune.
  • Clarence Darrow: Legendary defense attorney, drawn against his will into "the crime of the century"--only to be put on trial himself.
  • Earl Rogers: Defender of Darrow in the courtroom, and trader of punches with Billy Burns outside.
  • Job Harriman: Socialist candidate for mayor, Darrow's co-counsel, and, in time, Darrow's victim.
  • John Fredericks: A district attorney willing to make a deal--but only on his terms.
  • D.W. Griffiths: The most innovative filmmaker of his time, creatively energized by his unfolding connections with the trial's major players.
  • Linda Arvidson: D.W.'s actress wife, who is informed by her husband: "Don't think there is some other woman. . .it is not one, but many."
  • Mary Pickford: The first movie star and the focus of D.W.'s tormented thoughts.
  • Sam Gompers: Influential union leader, savvy to the connection between politics and theater, and authorizer of $2,577 to make "the greatest moving picture of the twentieth century."
  • Mary Field: Against Darrow's plea and despite his wife, she came to report on the trial--and share his life.
  • Lincoln Steffens: A muckraker intent on framing the trial in his terms: "justifiable dynamiting."
  • E.W. Scripps: Wealthy publisher and proponent of the view that the men killed "should be considered what they really were--soldiers enlisted under a capitalist employer."
  • Lockwood: Add a description of this character.
  • Sullivan
  • Davis
  • Mayor Alexander
  • Greaves
  • Wolfe
  • Haywood
  • George
  • Harry Chandler
  • William J. Burns
  • Morehart
  • Phillips
  • Morris
  • Deane
  • Calhoun
  • Mccall
  • Dan
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First Sentence edit see section history

It was nearly midnight on September 4, 1910, in Peoria, Illinois, when the dark sky above the train yard opened and a pelting rain suddenly poured down.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Cast of Characters

Prologue: Three Lives

Part I: "Direct Action"
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11

Part II: Manhunt
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29

Part III: "The Last Big Fight"
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41

Part IV: Revolvers
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45

Epilogue: The Alex

A Note on Sources

Acknowledgements

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Howard Blum (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Crown
Country: United States
Publication Date: 2008
ISBN: 0307346943
Page Count: 352

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
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  • Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing
  • The Mad Bomber of New York
  • Dark Tide
  • Dynamite Fiend : The Chilling Tale of a Confederate Spy, Con Artist, and Mass Murderer
  • The Day Wall Street Exploded

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