Play Book Tag discussion

Last Days of Night-Graham Moore
Audio performance by Johnathan McClain
4 stars

My favorite parts of this book may well have been the quotes that appeared at the beginning of each chapter. While telling a story of a late 19th century technology and business rivalry, these epigrams connected a long history of scientific achievement. Graham Moore drew a clear line to the 21st century with quotes from Einstein, Carl Sagan, Bill Gates, and frequently, Steve Jobs. Comparisons are intended and inevitable.

The book is fiction, but judging from the author’s notes, well grounded in fact. I liked the young lawyer, Paul Cravath. Moore may have stretched the facts to give Paul so much influence in Westinghouse’s legal concerns, but he was a good choice as protagonist in this fiction. I became invested in the tedious saga of law suits, countersuits, sabotage and dirty dealing, because I wanted Paul to triumph. Paul’s perspective allowed Moore to present the contrasting personalities of the competing inventors, Westinghouse, Edison, and Tesla. I also enjoyed the cameo perspective of Alexander Graham Bell who invented, but would not own, a telephone.

Jgrace wrote: "Last Days of Night-Graham Moore
Audio performance by Johnathan McClain
4 stars

My favorite parts of this book may well have been the quotes that appeared at the beginning of each chapter. While t..."

Great review. I loved all the quotes too. There was one unfamiliar person whose quotes I really liked. I was sure I’d remember the name, but it’s gone. I also liked the Alexander Graham Bell part. It was so funny.

This book did something funny to my childhood memories. I was born in New Jersey, but haven't lived there since I was 10. There were times when reading this book that I felt like I'd read it before, but I'm sure I hadn't. I think I was tapping into a 5th grade field trip and some middle grade biography of Edison read at the time .... things that I hadn't ever thought of at all since they happened. There it was, buried in the grey matter.

I loved this book, probably due to its pleasing combination of science and history. Glad to see you enjoyed it too.