NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A world of invention and skulduggery, populated by the likes of Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla.”—Erik Larson “A model of superior historical fiction . . . an exciting, sometimes astonishing story.”—The Washington Post From Graham Moore, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Imitation Game and New York Times bestselling author of The Sherlockian, comes a … New York Times bestselling author of The Sherlockian, comes a thrilling novel—based on actual events—about the nature of genius, the cost of ambition, and the battle to electrify America.
New York, 1888. Gas lamps still flicker in the city streets, but the miracle of electric light is in its infancy. The person who controls the means to turn night into day will make history—and a vast fortune. A young untested lawyer named Paul Cravath, fresh out of Columbia Law School, takes a case that seems impossible to win. Paul’s client, George Westinghouse, has been sued by Thomas Edison over a billion-dollar question: Who invented the light bulb and holds the right to power the country?
The case affords Paul entry to the heady world of high society—the glittering parties in Gramercy Park mansions, and the more insidious dealings done behind closed doors. The task facing him is beyond daunting. Edison is a wily, dangerous opponent with vast resources at his disposal—private spies, newspapers in his pocket, and the backing of J. P. Morgan himself. Yet this unknown lawyer shares with his famous adversary a compulsion to win at all costs. How will he do it?
In obsessive pursuit of victory, Paul crosses paths with Nikola Tesla, an eccentric, brilliant inventor who may hold the key to defeating Edison, and with Agnes Huntington, a beautiful opera singer who proves to be a flawless performer on stage and off. As Paul takes greater and greater risks, he’ll find that everyone in his path is playing their own game, and no one is quite who they seem.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST AND THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
“A satisfying romp . . . Takes place against a backdrop rich with period detail . . . Works wonderfully as an entertainment . . . As it charges forward, the novel leaves no dot unconnected.”—Noah Hawley, The New York Times Book Review
more
This book completely fascinated me. I loved it so much that I also read one of the non-fiction books on which the story was based.
How about that? I wasn’t entirely certain that this book wouldn’t be a snooze when I started it. The “current wars” between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse? Yawn. But I was pleasantly surprised by this one, which turned out to be a riveting novel filled with historical truth, secrets, revelations, backstabbing, danger, romance, and more. In short, a rattling good yarn featuring a cast of characters brought vividly to life, including Tesla, Alexander Graham Bell, JP Morgan, and so many others. Fascinating stuff and highly recommended.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. I learned a lot, it was a very engaging read and have recommended it to all of my friends. I initially was drawn to it because it was historically set in New York City but that’s the least of its draws. I learned so much about these men and their history. Very highly recommended
For starters, this author can write, and write well. As an author, I always appreciate that. The first third of the book is amazing, great historical fiction (though based on true events). And the last third of the book is great (ends well, too). My problem is with the middle third (why only 4 starts vs 5). It suffers from a common malady with books called “the sagging middle.” He winds up sharing all of this uninteresting, non-significant levels of detail that just bored me. I wound up skipping large sections trying to find the place where the interesting stuff returns. Thankfully, it did, which made me want to finish the book. I am recommending it, but wanted to share this concern.
I love historical fiction and this book doesn’t disappoint. Based on the true story of the legal battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, the book is written from the point of view of the young lawyer Westinghouse employed. Graham Moore described the lives of the inventors, the science community and the legal system in one fell swoop. It’s a wonderful read and I highly recommend it!
A gripping historical fiction story with a legal bent. Learned a lot about AC/DC and how Tesla’s experiments helped decide which one would light cities, towns, etc. The only part in the book readers will find disturbing is the electrocution of a dog – this is fortunately a short passage. But still well-worth reading.
An excellent use of true history of inventing and innovation in the golden age told with fictional story line which makes this book about Edison and Tesla and others read like a mystery. Loved it.
An almost-history historical fiction, THE LAST DAYS OF NIGHT is the story of the Edison vs. Westinghouse light bulb lawsuit, complete with Tesla’s involvement. Told from the point of view of Westinghouse’s young lawyer, Paul Cravath, there’s nothing dry about this legal thriller full of intrigue and deviousness! Anything the reader might think is far-fetched is, it turns out, historically accurate, proving once again that truth is stranger than fiction.
This may have been the first historical legal novel I’ve ever read. It’s not a genre I thought I’d enjoy, but something about this novel drew me to it. I’m glad I listened to my intuition. As I began the novel I wasn’t sure what to expect or whether I could really get into it. The more I read (and it didn’t take long) the more engrossed I became. Before long I was staying up way too late at night to keep reading. The chapters are short and usually leave the reader on enough of a cliff hanger to want to go just one more chapter. And then one more and one more and one more.
Since the book is populated by characters who were real people, I truly appreciated the author’s notes at the end which explain what was and wasn’t historically accurate. Most is accurate, though the chronology is slightly skewed so as not to be unweildy in a novel format.
I learned an enormous amount about three great scientists/inventors, Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Nikola Tesla, while thoroughly enjoying a captivating story about a complicated time in their lives.
Interesting and exciting time for America. Thomas Edison versus George Westinghouse for the right to light up the Country.
Excellent fictionalization of the real-life feud between George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison over the invention of the electric lightbulb.
As a writer of historical fiction, I set a pretty high bar for my genre, a bar that The Last Days of Night sailed over without doubt. I’m usually not drawn to the “Gilded Age” time period (preferring the medieval and Napoleonic eras) for my historical fiction, but made an exception here. This is a story woven around a battle that shaped the modern world and one that I knew very little about. It tells the story of the struggle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse for control of the new miracle of electrical current and the light it powered. It tells a tale of graft, corruption, violence and double dealing through the eyes of a young attorney hired by Westinghouse to protect his place in the new industry against the overwhelming fame and obsessive drive of Edison. Like all good historical fiction, this educates while telling a tale that will keep you up at night (thanks to the electric light bulb these men ushered into being!)
Very good read
A wonderful historical novel centered on the patent fight between Edison and Westinghouse, which would also result in the creation of one of NY’s most storied law firms, Cravath. A perfect summer read.
“The Last Days of Night” by Graham Moore It’s the story of the competition between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, with Nicola Tesla in the mix. Much of it is based on true events. A fascinating read with richly drawn characters, a breakneck pace with many wonderful twists and a satisfying conclusion that will make you wish the story wasn’t finished. If you’re into historical fiction, I highly recommend it.
Interesting fictional narrative on the feud between Westinghouse and Edison over the invention of the light bulb, and the ongoing war between them regarding electricity and how to build out the electric grid. Much of the story revolves around the young lawyer, Paul Cravath, and his attempts to represent George Westinghouse in the patent lawsuits. Nikola Tesla is also a prominent figure, as is JP Morgan, in this interesting fight for dominance in the world of inventors. Their approaches are all different, and their rewards are different, as well.
As the author described Nikola Tesla, I thought a lot of Elon Musk, and believe they are very similar personalities! I also felt an incredible dislike for Thomas Edison, based on how he was portrayed in the book. I liked George Westinghouse for most of the book, but he also wasn’t completely likeable in the end. JP Morgan was ruthless, as expected.
I learned a lot about this period of time. I also liked how the author took history and molded it into an interesting novel.
#TheLastDaysofNight #GrahamMoore
My favorite book this year! Historical times and events become entertaining characters in this amazing story about the early inventive days of our twentieth century. It was like being in a maze and I didn’t want to get out.
On the premise I was interested but concerned that it would be bogged down by technical details… but those details that I never knew were told in such an entertaining and captivating way that I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened.
Historical fiction, exceptionally well done.
Excellent read!
I never would have thought a book about the dawn of electricity, A/C and D/C current could be interesting, let alone riveting, but The Last Days of Night is a page-turner. The author has a great style for both narrative and dialogue and keeps his chapters short for swift reading. I realize the book is only based on fact and not all of it plays out as precisely as it happened, but it was still an eyeopener to learn a great deal about this time period in history and the men who populated it.
The war between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse is at the heart of the book, with the main character being Westinghouse’s young attorney, Paul Cravath, but there are others who factor into the telling as well—Alexander Graham Bell, J.P. Morgan, and especially, Nikola Tesla. Highly entertaining, the book also sheds historical light on numerous events and elements. I’m ashamed to say I never realized that General Electric was once Edison General Electric, and that Mr. Edison founded the company. Educational, entertaining and enthralling, this was a fabulous read and highly recommended.