American Lightning by Howard Blum

These excerpts from "American Lightning" by Howard Blum explore the Los Angeles Times bombing in 1910 and the subsequent investigation and trials, often referred to as "the crime of the century." The text follows detective William J. Burns as he pursues suspects, including the McNamara brothers, union officials eventually represented by Clarence Darrow. The narrative also intertwines the rise of motion pictures, particularly the work of director D.W. Griffith, and the labor conflicts prevalent at the time, suggesting a connection between these seemingly disparate threads in shaping American society. The author also touches upon his research process, highlighting the challenges of writing a historical narrative.