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

AMERICAN LIGHTNING is the true story of the adversarial meeting of three of the most influential men of the early twentieth century: William Burns, founder of the Burns Detective Agency; Clarence Darrow, the brilliant lawyer; and D. W. Griffith, the pioneer of the film industry. All come together on opposing sides of the bombing of a right-wing Los Angeles newspaper. Narrator John H. Mayer adds an element of fascination to this historical story. He manages to impart character in his interpretations of the many unique personalities, and his passionate discourse gives a cinematic feel to the work. By far, the most fascinating aspect of the book is that all the characters are flawed—that is to say, human. M.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]