--- product_id: 1610007 title: "Thunderstruck" price: "€ 48.07" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1610007-thunderstruck store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # High-stakes historical drama Global impact & cultural shift Wireless communication pioneer Thunderstruck **Price:** € 48.07 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📻 Where innovation meets intrigue — don’t miss the story that connected the world. ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Thunderstruck - **How much does it cost?** € 48.07 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1610007-thunderstruck) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Historical Bestseller:** Join thousands of readers captivated by a #1 ranked story in Radio Operation and Communications. - • **Dual Narrative Mastery:** Experience the thrilling intersection of innovation and crime in early 20th-century history. - • **Immersive Period Detail:** Step into Edwardian London and the stormy North Atlantic with vivid, cinematic storytelling. - • **Pioneering Wireless Tech:** Discover how Marconi’s relentless experiments revolutionized global communication. - • **Inspiration for Innovators:** Fuel your own creative drive with a testament to persistence and breakthrough thinking. ## Overview Thunderstruck is a New York Times bestseller by Erik Larson that intertwines the true stories of Guglielmo Marconi’s groundbreaking wireless communication invention and the infamous murderer Hawley Crippen. Set against the dynamic backdrop of the early 1900s, this gripping narrative explores the dawn of global connectivity and a historic criminal chase, earning top ranks in Radio Operation and History of Technology categories with over 8,700 reviews. ## Description NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An “irresistible” ( The Washington Post ) true story of love, murder, and the last moments of the “great hush” before wireless radio connected the world, from the renowned author of The Devil in the White City and The Demon of Unrest “Gripping . . . an edge-of-the-seat read.”— People In Thunderstruck, Erik Larson tells the interwoven stories of two men—Hawley Crippen, a very unlikely murderer, and Guglielmo Marconi, the obsessive creator of a seemingly supernatural means of communication—whose lives intersect at the turn of the twentieth century during one of the greatest criminal chases of all time. Set in Edwardian London and on the stormy coasts of Cornwall, Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia, Thunderstruck evokes the dynamism of those years when great shipping companies competed to build the biggest, fastest ocean liners, scientific advances dazzled the public with visions of a world transformed, and the rich outdid one another with ostentatious displays of wealth. Against this background, Marconi races against incredible odds and relentless skepticism to perfect his invention: wireless communication, a prime catalyst for the emergence of the world we know today. Meanwhile, Crippen, “the kindest of men,” nearly commits the perfect crime. With his superb narrative skills, Erik Larson guides these parallel narratives toward a relentlessly suspenseful meeting on the waters of the North Atlantic. Along the way, he tells of a sad and tragic love affair that was described on the front pages of newspapers around the world, a chief inspector who found himself strangely sympathetic to the killer and his lover, and a driven and compelling innovator who transformed the way we communicate. Thunderstruck presents a vibrant portrait of the era of séances, science, and fog, inhabited by inventors, magicians, and Scotland Yard detectives, all presided over by the amiable and fun-loving Edward VII as the world slid inevitably toward the first great war of the twentieth century. Review: A Testament to the Power of Persistence - This book took me some time to generate interest in at first due to the historical nature of its text, but once I set myself on the task, I grew compelled more than ever and finished the majority of the book in a fraction of the time that it took to read the first few chapters. I had never thought seriously about where radio, television, and wireless communications originated and am surprised that the history is so colorful. Marconi unleashed the power of Hertzian waves by applying them in a fashion practical for communication via morse code. He had no knowledge of the waves with regards to their characteristics of travel and wavelengths, but he was able to continue making advances in the distances that he could send his signals. He experimented with each component of his system, from the ether to the mechanics of the transmitter and most prominently to his antannae. He believed that the larger and more powerful his stations, the further the waves could travel. It was a logical conclusion based on his results. However, his critical mistake that took him nearly three decades to discover was that his use of long wavelengths was not necessary and that short waves travelled much further with less power. I think now about short wave radios like the one that my Dad had set up for awhile in the backyard and I remember my own fascination with the ability to speak with someone on the other side of the world through such a seemingly simple device. Now that I know its origins, I am fascinated by the logic that conspired to its existence. Marconi was so enthusiastic and dedicated to his work that he was able to surpass the scientists and physicists at the time without the knowledge of what was going on with his system. Instead of spending time formulating a theory and answering questions, he pushed on with experiment after experiment until he accomplished what he set out to do. This feat is a testament to the abilities of a person to accomplish something incredible, something innovative and inventive, without being formally schooled in that area. Simply by playing with the nature of things and using a fresh perspective it is possible to creative a new technology such as this wireless communication system. Of course, it is worth noting that Marconi himself did not invest the wireless transmitting capability. That was Oliver Lodge, and for the rest of his life that man fought to be recognized as the founder. In addition, there were other key players at the time, including Fleming who was also not recognized despite his planning for the station that first transmitted signals across the Atlantic Ocean from Pordhu to Canada. Marconi was a man set on acquiring the title as the man who created this application, and he succeeded. In his time, wireless telegrams were even referred to as Marconigrams. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics, much to the dismay of Lodge and myriad other competitors, just seven years after the Nobel Prize came into existence. There are other wonders held in the book, including the details of the interesting life of Dr. Crippen who would become one of the most famous murderers of his time. Having this drama depicted on a timeline parallel to Marconi's allowed for a better illustration of the world at this time. The scenes of London, the talk of war with Germany as inevitable, and the other inventions being released within the same timeframe. Some of the most entertaining facts were trivial, such as the origins of the word "taxi" which is simply a shortened version of the word for the device developed by a German to automatically calculate of a customer's fare in a cab; the "taximeter." Additionally, I revelled in the foresight that Nicola Tesla posessed in his reference to "television" in 1900 as a capability now that wireless had become so established. Tesla made statements alluding to his own ability to bring this to the world, but was unable to accomplish this feat. Overall, the book was a testament to the wonders of history. It especially gives insight into the mindset required to invent a new technology that a century later may be used as a common way to control the human environment. I am inspired by what Marconi was able to achieve, and I feel that knowing of his works will serve as subconscious motivation to achieve what is said to be impossible. It's a matter of a passionate pursuit for technological advancement. Review: Pales only in comparison to Larson's other work. VERY GOOD!! - THUNDERSTRUCK is a highly entertaining and educational "novel." I call it a novel, because it generally flows with the speed and fluidity of one. You don't feel lectured to...it's like reading a filmed documentary. Erik Larson has pretty much mastered his particular style. If this had been the first Larson book I had read, I would be quite effusive in my praise. But it pales a little only in comparison to ISAAC'S STORM and THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. STORM is simple a smashing, vivid and sad account of the events of the great Galveston hurricane. WHITE CITY is one of the great books of its kind...the perfect blending of man's achievements at their loftiest (the Chicago World's Fair) and their lowest (the serial killer H.H. Holmes). Their stories blended together beautifully, and all in all it was the kind of book that made me wonder...why isn't this taught everywhere...it's the coolest story! Just amazing stuff. Made me go out and find out all I could about these two stories. THUNDERSTRUCK again blends two stories, one of man's inventiveness (the development of wireless transmission, particularly by Marconi) and man's brutality, in the person of Crippen, and infamous wife-killer. It is well-written, carefully researched, fast-paced and full of interesting information. I learned a lot, and I was greatly entertained. But the fact of the matter is that the story of Marconi isn't quite as amazing or varied as the story of the World's Fair. He overcomes a lot of obstacles, but the obstacles seem awfully similar year after year. It's accurate...but it's not the most riveting drama. And the crime of Crippen, though very well-known, can't compare in breadth and daring to what Holmes pulled off in the US. And then the melding of the two stories (wireless being used to track Crippen's escape) is interesting, but it doesn't feel as compelling of a natural juxtaposition as the idea of Holmes visiting the World's Fair with his victims. I highly recommend the book, even if I sound reserved. Again, I'm only comparing what Larson has given us before. His skills as writer and researcher are undiminished...it's the basic story that isn't quite as thrilling. If you've not read his work before...start with one of the others. If you have, by all means don't stop. It's darn good stuff. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History ## Features - Advance' Reader's Copy ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #58,083 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Radio Operation #2 in Radio Communications #3 in History of Technology | | Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 8,779 Reviews | ## Images ![Thunderstruck - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81WHwtqG7xL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Testament to the Power of Persistence *by J***Y on October 23, 2010* This book took me some time to generate interest in at first due to the historical nature of its text, but once I set myself on the task, I grew compelled more than ever and finished the majority of the book in a fraction of the time that it took to read the first few chapters. I had never thought seriously about where radio, television, and wireless communications originated and am surprised that the history is so colorful. Marconi unleashed the power of Hertzian waves by applying them in a fashion practical for communication via morse code. He had no knowledge of the waves with regards to their characteristics of travel and wavelengths, but he was able to continue making advances in the distances that he could send his signals. He experimented with each component of his system, from the ether to the mechanics of the transmitter and most prominently to his antannae. He believed that the larger and more powerful his stations, the further the waves could travel. It was a logical conclusion based on his results. However, his critical mistake that took him nearly three decades to discover was that his use of long wavelengths was not necessary and that short waves travelled much further with less power. I think now about short wave radios like the one that my Dad had set up for awhile in the backyard and I remember my own fascination with the ability to speak with someone on the other side of the world through such a seemingly simple device. Now that I know its origins, I am fascinated by the logic that conspired to its existence. Marconi was so enthusiastic and dedicated to his work that he was able to surpass the scientists and physicists at the time without the knowledge of what was going on with his system. Instead of spending time formulating a theory and answering questions, he pushed on with experiment after experiment until he accomplished what he set out to do. This feat is a testament to the abilities of a person to accomplish something incredible, something innovative and inventive, without being formally schooled in that area. Simply by playing with the nature of things and using a fresh perspective it is possible to creative a new technology such as this wireless communication system. Of course, it is worth noting that Marconi himself did not invest the wireless transmitting capability. That was Oliver Lodge, and for the rest of his life that man fought to be recognized as the founder. In addition, there were other key players at the time, including Fleming who was also not recognized despite his planning for the station that first transmitted signals across the Atlantic Ocean from Pordhu to Canada. Marconi was a man set on acquiring the title as the man who created this application, and he succeeded. In his time, wireless telegrams were even referred to as Marconigrams. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics, much to the dismay of Lodge and myriad other competitors, just seven years after the Nobel Prize came into existence. There are other wonders held in the book, including the details of the interesting life of Dr. Crippen who would become one of the most famous murderers of his time. Having this drama depicted on a timeline parallel to Marconi's allowed for a better illustration of the world at this time. The scenes of London, the talk of war with Germany as inevitable, and the other inventions being released within the same timeframe. Some of the most entertaining facts were trivial, such as the origins of the word "taxi" which is simply a shortened version of the word for the device developed by a German to automatically calculate of a customer's fare in a cab; the "taximeter." Additionally, I revelled in the foresight that Nicola Tesla posessed in his reference to "television" in 1900 as a capability now that wireless had become so established. Tesla made statements alluding to his own ability to bring this to the world, but was unable to accomplish this feat. Overall, the book was a testament to the wonders of history. It especially gives insight into the mindset required to invent a new technology that a century later may be used as a common way to control the human environment. I am inspired by what Marconi was able to achieve, and I feel that knowing of his works will serve as subconscious motivation to achieve what is said to be impossible. It's a matter of a passionate pursuit for technological advancement. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pales only in comparison to Larson's other work. VERY GOOD!! *by R***7 on April 24, 2007* THUNDERSTRUCK is a highly entertaining and educational "novel." I call it a novel, because it generally flows with the speed and fluidity of one. You don't feel lectured to...it's like reading a filmed documentary. Erik Larson has pretty much mastered his particular style. If this had been the first Larson book I had read, I would be quite effusive in my praise. But it pales a little only in comparison to ISAAC'S STORM and THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. STORM is simple a smashing, vivid and sad account of the events of the great Galveston hurricane. WHITE CITY is one of the great books of its kind...the perfect blending of man's achievements at their loftiest (the Chicago World's Fair) and their lowest (the serial killer H.H. Holmes). Their stories blended together beautifully, and all in all it was the kind of book that made me wonder...why isn't this taught everywhere...it's the coolest story! Just amazing stuff. Made me go out and find out all I could about these two stories. THUNDERSTRUCK again blends two stories, one of man's inventiveness (the development of wireless transmission, particularly by Marconi) and man's brutality, in the person of Crippen, and infamous wife-killer. It is well-written, carefully researched, fast-paced and full of interesting information. I learned a lot, and I was greatly entertained. But the fact of the matter is that the story of Marconi isn't quite as amazing or varied as the story of the World's Fair. He overcomes a lot of obstacles, but the obstacles seem awfully similar year after year. It's accurate...but it's not the most riveting drama. And the crime of Crippen, though very well-known, can't compare in breadth and daring to what Holmes pulled off in the US. And then the melding of the two stories (wireless being used to track Crippen's escape) is interesting, but it doesn't feel as compelling of a natural juxtaposition as the idea of Holmes visiting the World's Fair with his victims. I highly recommend the book, even if I sound reserved. Again, I'm only comparing what Larson has given us before. His skills as writer and researcher are undiminished...it's the basic story that isn't quite as thrilling. If you've not read his work before...start with one of the others. If you have, by all means don't stop. It's darn good stuff. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another Triumphant Effort *by A***S on January 7, 2014* Larson possesses a rare ability to give historical non-fiction sustained tension and drama while clinging closely to the treacherous face of factual accuracy. As his 48 pages of notes and references will attest, his attention to detail is obsessive. He clearly relishes the research that goes into a project of this scale. He emphasizes that every time a statement appears enclosed in quotation marks, it is taken from a written account. Thunderstruck is the parallel stories of two men: Guglielmo (pronounced "goo-yee-ail-mo") Marconi, one of the primary inventors of what we now call radio, and Dr. Hawley Harry Crippen, a soft-spoken quack and the second most notorious murderer in modern British history. For most of the book, the narrative alternates between these two separate plots, with the action often taking place on different continents. The sense of inevitability builds until the stories cross near the end. This is a rich, full, well-developed piece of work that reads like a novel. The title is a reference to the deafening crackle and roar produced by the earliest versions of the transmitting equipment (some of which were huge towers more than a hundred feet high), as each dot and dash created a visible electrical arc. One of the aspects that I personally found morbidly amusing was the way even in 1910 a real-time media frenzy builds around a sensational case that captures the public's interest -- including dangerous and unethical behavior by reporters of the day. Some may think of tabloid journalism as a contemporary phenomenon, but it was alive and well more than a century ago. Also intriguing were the snarky exchanges and vicious personal attacks involving the scientists and engineers who were racing towards the goal of achieving practical wireless communication. These arguments were carried out through open letters that the general public read in newspapers and magazines, but aside from the quaint language and the multi-day response time, they are pretty much just like the comment wars that spontaneously erupt around an Internet news article today. Likewise, the business dealings were every bit as much of a shark-infested pool as they are in 2013 -- churning with feuds, back-stabbing, betrayal, secret alliances, international spies and a bloody scramble for that all-important treasure: the Government Contract. More than anything, I am deeply impressed with Larson's talent for holding the reader's interest with an exciting, engaging, character-driven story. That is a tricky feat to pull off when constrained by the need to adhere to the truth, and once again he does it. I enthusiastically recommend Thunderstruck to anyone who enjoys reading true history -- and even if you usually prefer historical fiction, give this one a chance. It's as entertaining as anything anyone ever made up. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1610007-thunderstruck](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1610007-thunderstruck) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-08-24*