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The Sound of Thunder
The searing novel of a man enslaved by passion and cursed by his own success.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
274 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Caldwell
152 books556 followers Also known by the pen names Marcus Holland and Max Reiner.
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 21, 2016
Edward was one of the children of an immigrant. Typical to his age, he just wanted to make a living for his children in the best way he could with the help of his wife and this they did in running a modest delicatessen. Heinrich was more than content if he could nurture his children's talents and they were an extremely talented family. However, the sacrifice had to be the eldest who had to work hard, never had a childhood because he became the support and mainstay of his family.
How a lifestyle and a way of thinking turned a boy into a hardened man, with tunnel vision which ultimately cost him the love and warmth of his siblings who drained him dry financially, but did not care a toss for him and his well being is this story. A family saga, fairly twisted by twin themes of greed and envy which ate into the psyches of some of the siblings and which led to simmering undercurrents throughout the story.
This was not a comfortable read. You felt for each of the characters - some very strong, most weak falling aside over the overpowering personality of Edward who was dominated and controlled by the vast financial empire he built. That Edward found love and understanding in his wife and children was the saving grace for Edward.
The story also highlights the rise of a middle class in America, moving from small time businessmen to powers that will be in the financial world.
Very interesting, powerful characterizations and a family rags to riches story very descriptively told.
How a lifestyle and a way of thinking turned a boy into a hardened man, with tunnel vision which ultimately cost him the love and warmth of his siblings who drained him dry financially, but did not care a toss for him and his well being is this story. A family saga, fairly twisted by twin themes of greed and envy which ate into the psyches of some of the siblings and which led to simmering undercurrents throughout the story.
This was not a comfortable read. You felt for each of the characters - some very strong, most weak falling aside over the overpowering personality of Edward who was dominated and controlled by the vast financial empire he built. That Edward found love and understanding in his wife and children was the saving grace for Edward.
The story also highlights the rise of a middle class in America, moving from small time businessmen to powers that will be in the financial world.
Very interesting, powerful characterizations and a family rags to riches story very descriptively told.
December 6, 2018
Edward was the son of a German marriage who lived in the delusion that they were nobility. They had four other children who the parents were convinced were geniuses. Edward was thought not to have these "gifts", so he was to work hard in his father's store to maintain the studies of the geniuses. As time passed by, all the so-called geniuses were unhappy because they had to do what was expected of them and Edward because he was tied to their upkeep. This situation continued for life, even when all of them were adults, everybody living in the same house. The geniuses hated Edward because they could not fail him and he had built an empire. Edward was unhappy because he thought they were not giving their best. Why didn't they speak and explain their feelings to Edward? Why didn't Edward stop maintaining them? This is a perfect example of how decisions of weak parents can destroy a family. This is the worst case of co-dependence I have ever read, and no matter how unbelievable it is, it certainly can happen. An excellent development of the characters, ethical questions, and how good intentions not always end well.
December 5, 2016
I found this a fascinating read, albeit very long and ponderous in places. Caldwell has created a sweeping melodrama encompassing three generations of the Enger family living in turn of the century America. There are the usual family rivalries one would expect to see in a novel of this nature, but what I found most interesting was Caldwell's perceptive use of character to express her own feelings about the nation. Edward Enger, our protagonist, is a self-made man, fiercely devoted to his country and his family. Indeed, he is a shining example of the American dream in all its capitalist glory. His is a sad tale, however and Caldwell pulls few punches in regaling the reader with some of the troubles he is forced to endure and also those he inflicts upon others. There are problems with the novel - it is far too long and in some places, quite repetitive. We see the same arguments between family members over and over again and the same lack of courage among the characters becomes quite frustrating. Caldwell is also a little heavy handed when it comes to her morals and the plot concludes far too neatly for my liking. With that said, this is a novel that bears further scrutiny and a careful reader will get an awful lot out of it.
February 10, 2025
Long, didactic, and sometimes tedious. Caldwell tends to show and tell thoroughly, leaving nothing between the lines for the reader to guess about. But it was a darn good story, written with historical accuracy, and it had a happy ending.
June 27, 2020
Greek drama within a German family, living in America in the early 20th century.
It is a very complex book reflecting all kinds of human characters perfectly. So much pain arising out of the wrong kind of loyalty and because people don't talk and listen to each other and therefor cause a lot of misunderstanding.
What I like especially is that not one character is without fault. Some you feel sorry about, some you simply can't stand. I think we can all identify with one or more of the family members one way or another, which makes the book a micocosmos of society.
It is a very complex book reflecting all kinds of human characters perfectly. So much pain arising out of the wrong kind of loyalty and because people don't talk and listen to each other and therefor cause a lot of misunderstanding.
What I like especially is that not one character is without fault. Some you feel sorry about, some you simply can't stand. I think we can all identify with one or more of the family members one way or another, which makes the book a micocosmos of society.
January 4, 2017
There’s no doubt this book has its literary faults. It’s overwritten and melodramatic at times. The characters are really too unpleasant to be convincing. And the central premise that one talented child is sacrificed to make money to support his less talented siblings is even less convincing. And yet Taylor Caldwell knows how to grab her readers, pull them in and keep them reading. The novel is a sprawling family saga, where greed (always one of her favourite topics) and personal ambition take precedent over love and compassion, and even if there is some sort of redemption at the end, it’s a pretty brutal tale. And one which I found compelling and ultimately very rewarding. A thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing historical novel, whose faults I was more than happy to overlook for the sake of a jolly good tale.
March 1, 2017
Let me start by saying that I'm not afraid to tackle "thick" tomes (I am a Diana Gabaldone fan, so I'm familiar with books that run over a thousand pages), but this novel that ran just a bit over five hundred pages, would have been so much better if it ran a bit over three hundred pages. There was so much of the story that was just "filling" that I had no other choice but to "skim" through those pages.
The bones and the structure of the story wasn't bad, but I think the pacing made the story less interesting and appeared to drag at times.
As for the characters, they were all interesting and some were just a bit too over the top, but they kept my interest but by the end, the story wrapped too quickly and left me frustrated.
For me, this read was just okay.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
The bones and the structure of the story wasn't bad, but I think the pacing made the story less interesting and appeared to drag at times.
As for the characters, they were all interesting and some were just a bit too over the top, but they kept my interest but by the end, the story wrapped too quickly and left me frustrated.
For me, this read was just okay.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
February 19, 2016
It's no secret that I adore Taylor Caldwell! However, "The Sound of Thunder" was a little difficult for me to get into. Ms. Caldwell has always been a little political in her writing but I found that this one was TOO blatantly political and it felt as though she was trying a little TOO hard to sway the reader (and I even agree with her political views!). In the beginning of the story, I was able to connect with the characters and felt deep emotion for some of them. By the middle and end, I was annoyed and frustrated. I honestly had a hard time finishing. I give it 3 stars because I feel like the story is well enough written and there's real historical value. The story is an interesting one. It's just not my favorite Caldwell read.
August 9, 2019
Bravo!Thank you Taylor Caldwell for writing a book worth reading!
June 3, 2025
I don't mind long novels, but this one got a bit long-winded with a number of redundant dialogues. It was frustrating and you had to really feel for Ed, and you could see the years hang on him. Margaret was more of a saint than I would have thought but hey. The siblings were spoiled brats but the parents created that situation.
Then, it ends suddenly and everything is honkey-dorey and loves each other. Years of pain are erased??? Then, first cousins are getting married and we're all okay with that???
Great start...
Then, it ends suddenly and everything is honkey-dorey and loves each other. Years of pain are erased??? Then, first cousins are getting married and we're all okay with that???
Great start...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
Well written, but lengthy at times and seems it could have been streamlined. It’s a sweeping family saga from turn of the century thru the Depression era of the United States. It does a great job of character development throughout. It helped me have a better understanding of people’s motives and the paths they take in life. Each character was well developed and a puzzle piece for how the family unit operated.
September 3, 2020
Her writing is very wordy. This book was too long on one theme. It did include many musings on politics, government and religion that were very true and direct. We should take care of ourselves, earn our own way or we will hate the person or institution that is handing us money. And the institution or person will resent and hate us, demand control. We will end up destroying the controller in the end.
July 26, 2017
On one level, this novel is the story of a fascinating family. On another, it is a snapshot of the political views and concerns in the early to mid twentieth century, which are startlingly similar to and different from ours today. Worth reading.
November 16, 2020
I've read this book probably seven or eight times in my life. Why did I suddenly notice the heavy-handedness of Caldwell's fear of "socialism" and its trappings? Could it be the climate currently just nudged me to notice. Always heavy on religion. Clunky sometimes.
August 29, 2024
A wonderful novel
I am surprised at how much I loved this book. The characters are so well formed that I could see them as the story unfolded. I can't recommend this book, or any others she has written, highly enough.
I am surprised at how much I loved this book. The characters are so well formed that I could see them as the story unfolded. I can't recommend this book, or any others she has written, highly enough.
September 2, 2025
simple gila tapi kiut sebab aku baru tahu buku ni popularized perkataan "butterfly effect" aku personally tak rasa cerita ni memberi impak yang besar kat aku tapi dia cam cool so aku bagi 4/5 also the cover kinda sick idk
March 27, 2018
Good read but tedious
Beautifully written each character well defined but too long and repetitive. But still enjoyable, did read to end but was starting to annoy me...
Beautifully written each character well defined but too long and repetitive. But still enjoyable, did read to end but was starting to annoy me...
January 4, 2019
The bones and structure of this book were so bad that I didn't read past the fourth chapter. Too wordy and cumbersome.
October 14, 2021
The Best
I love Taylor Caldwell s writings. I've been reading her book since the early 70s Some of them 3 or 4 times. Can't get enough
I love Taylor Caldwell s writings. I've been reading her book since the early 70s Some of them 3 or 4 times. Can't get enough
December 15, 2024
"The Sound of Thunder" by Takor Caldwell is a wonderful story about a family in the early 1900s.
Well written. My favorite author of all time.
Well written. My favorite author of all time.
February 8, 2025
AşkFısıltıları ilk defa okuyacağım bir pembe seri. Teee 1957 yılında kadın yazarlar arasında büyük bir üne sahip olan #TaylorCaldwell tarafından yazılmış.
Elimdeki nüsha 1973 yılı #AltınKitaplar basımı.
Aşk Fısıltıları ismiyle namüsemma bir kitap.
1954'de Amerika'da yayımlanıp, 70'li yıllarda Türkçe'ye çevrilmiş. O yıllarda okuyucunun daha çok dikkatini çekmek için kitaplara aşklı meşkli isimler verdiklerini görüyorum. Orjinal ismi #theSoundofThunder yani "gök gürültüsünün sesi" bir tık daha uygun.
Oldukça sürükleyici ve düşündürücü bir kitap yazmış Taylor Caldwell.
Ailesinin söylemleriyle kendisi haricindeki tüm kardeşlerinin dahi olduğunu kabul eden Edward, evin geçimini sağlamak üzere genç yaşta çalışmaya başlar. Annesi ve babasının küçük yaşta Edward'ın omzuna yüklediği bu sorumluluk bir süre sonra onun yaşama amacı haline gelir. Bu amacı gerçekleştirmek için dişiyle tırnağıyla çalışır, küçük dükkanını her geçen gün büyütür ve zamanla marketler zinciri kurar. 4 kardeşine her türlü maddi desteği sağlarken, başarılı olmaları için sürekli baskı kurmayı da ihmal etmez.
Sürekli gözlem altında olan kardeşler, başarılı olamayınca kendilerini zayıf ve ezik hissederler ve Edward'a karşı duydukları minnet nefrete dönüşür. Gizli gizli yetenekli oldukları farklı alanlara meyledip başarı etseler bile korkularından ve dönüştükleri aciz karakterlerden dolayı bunu Ed'e söyleme cesaretini bulamazlar.
Kardeşlerinin başarısız olmalarını kaldıramayan Edward'ın ise yaşama amacı kalmamış, tutunduğu dal kırılmıştır.
Üstüne bir de patlak veren II. Dünya Savaşı ile işlerinde zarar etmeye başlayan Edward'ın sağlığı da tehlikededir şimdi.
Edward'a duyduğu bağlılıkla her şeyi karşısına alan Margaret ise bütün kardeşlerin, kocasını sömüren birer asalak olduklarını düşünmektedir.
Peki aileyi parçalanma noktasına getiren bu durumun asıl sorumlusu kimdir?
Elimdeki nüsha 1973 yılı #AltınKitaplar basımı.
Aşk Fısıltıları ismiyle namüsemma bir kitap.
1954'de Amerika'da yayımlanıp, 70'li yıllarda Türkçe'ye çevrilmiş. O yıllarda okuyucunun daha çok dikkatini çekmek için kitaplara aşklı meşkli isimler verdiklerini görüyorum. Orjinal ismi #theSoundofThunder yani "gök gürültüsünün sesi" bir tık daha uygun.
Oldukça sürükleyici ve düşündürücü bir kitap yazmış Taylor Caldwell.
Ailesinin söylemleriyle kendisi haricindeki tüm kardeşlerinin dahi olduğunu kabul eden Edward, evin geçimini sağlamak üzere genç yaşta çalışmaya başlar. Annesi ve babasının küçük yaşta Edward'ın omzuna yüklediği bu sorumluluk bir süre sonra onun yaşama amacı haline gelir. Bu amacı gerçekleştirmek için dişiyle tırnağıyla çalışır, küçük dükkanını her geçen gün büyütür ve zamanla marketler zinciri kurar. 4 kardeşine her türlü maddi desteği sağlarken, başarılı olmaları için sürekli baskı kurmayı da ihmal etmez.
Sürekli gözlem altında olan kardeşler, başarılı olamayınca kendilerini zayıf ve ezik hissederler ve Edward'a karşı duydukları minnet nefrete dönüşür. Gizli gizli yetenekli oldukları farklı alanlara meyledip başarı etseler bile korkularından ve dönüştükleri aciz karakterlerden dolayı bunu Ed'e söyleme cesaretini bulamazlar.
Kardeşlerinin başarısız olmalarını kaldıramayan Edward'ın ise yaşama amacı kalmamış, tutunduğu dal kırılmıştır.
Üstüne bir de patlak veren II. Dünya Savaşı ile işlerinde zarar etmeye başlayan Edward'ın sağlığı da tehlikededir şimdi.
Edward'a duyduğu bağlılıkla her şeyi karşısına alan Margaret ise bütün kardeşlerin, kocasını sömüren birer asalak olduklarını düşünmektedir.
Peki aileyi parçalanma noktasına getiren bu durumun asıl sorumlusu kimdir?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2017
Revisiting an old favorite
This is one of the lesser-known works of this prolific author. The lesson here us in being careful what you ask for - you may get it. The turn of the century story spans thirty or so years in the lives of the Enger family. From delicatessen owner to retail magnate, Edward Enger relentlessly pursues accomplishment for both himself and his siblings . He sets out on a path of almost ruthless control over his family and they, in turn, fight back in secrets and silence. It was well worth the read.
This is one of the lesser-known works of this prolific author. The lesson here us in being careful what you ask for - you may get it. The turn of the century story spans thirty or so years in the lives of the Enger family. From delicatessen owner to retail magnate, Edward Enger relentlessly pursues accomplishment for both himself and his siblings . He sets out on a path of almost ruthless control over his family and they, in turn, fight back in secrets and silence. It was well worth the read.
March 4, 2011
I did not particularly enjoy this book. I doubt I will ever read another Taylor Caldwell book. The ending was more unrealistic than even the most outrageous science fiction or fantasy book. A lot of the book I thought was blah, blah, blah. So why did I finish it? I was curious how the author would weave the ending of the story. She didn't weave it. She boiled it and made felt.
September 15, 2009
I'm sorry. This book may get better. But the first 50 pages were so over the top, melodramatic, beyond soap opera, I just couldn't take it anymore. I gave up.
February 5, 2012
The story begins with a man seemingly on his deathbed. Then Ms. Caldwell takes us back through his life to show where the man's journey began.
Read
September 6, 2012Another Caldwell classic! Loved it, pulled me in, made me a part of the lives of the characters.
Read
March 18, 2019History repeats it's self even in stories. So much written here true today. Very interesting!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews