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Executioner's Current: Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and the Invention of the Electric Chair - Hardcover
Tracing the origins and development of the electric chair, a story of industrial and political intrigue describes the battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse for commercial control of electricity, the first use of electricity to execute a criminal, the legal battle that ensued over the punishment, and its long-term implications for the capital punishment debate. 20,000 first printing.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"Fascinating and provocative. . . . Moran skillfully used the story of the creation of the electric chair to illustrate the brutal clash between Edison and Westinghouse." --"Washington Post Book World
""Fascinating. . . . Moran conclusively shows that Edison hoped to discredit alternating current--by associating it in the public mind with death--and advance his own direct current." --"Los Angeles Times
""Chilling. . . . A 'Coke-versus-Pepsi' story as if told by Stephen King. . . . A macabre jolt of history." --"Chicago Sun-Times
""A remarkable account. . . . A fantastic tale, well told." --"Forbes
"
"[An] engaging analysis of the relationship between electrocution and the personal and corporate battles waged between Edison and Westinghouse." --Louis P. Masur, " Chicago Tribune
""Richard Moran shows us not only how the death penalty in America affects condemned prisoners, but also how it is used by powerful interests in our society to further their own political and economic ends. . . . Five stars, and three cheers, for Professor Moran!" --Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking"
""Riveting. . . . Moran [has a] lively reportorial style. . . . In this narrative of callous ambition and hypocrisy, a condemned criminal plays an unexpectedly dignified role."" --Seattle Weekly
""Compelling. . . . Reads like pages torn from today's headlines about nefarious CEOs and corporate greed." --"Albany Times Union"
"Haunting.... Incisive... A chilling look at something that has become a too-common theme of modern times: the use of technology to develop new ways of killing."" --Roanoke Times
" "An eye-opening and riveting account of the battle for the future of electricity and the part that played in changing the technology of execution." --"Wilmington Sunday News Journal"
About the Author:
""Fascinating. . . . Moran conclusively shows that Edison hoped to discredit alternating current--by associating it in the public mind with death--and advance his own direct current." --"Los Angeles Times
""Chilling. . . . A 'Coke-versus-Pepsi' story as if told by Stephen King. . . . A macabre jolt of history." --"Chicago Sun-Times
""A remarkable account. . . . A fantastic tale, well told." --"Forbes
"
"[An] engaging analysis of the relationship between electrocution and the personal and corporate battles waged between Edison and Westinghouse." --Louis P. Masur, " Chicago Tribune
""Richard Moran shows us not only how the death penalty in America affects condemned prisoners, but also how it is used by powerful interests in our society to further their own political and economic ends. . . . Five stars, and three cheers, for Professor Moran!" --Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking"
""Riveting. . . . Moran [has a] lively reportorial style. . . . In this narrative of callous ambition and hypocrisy, a condemned criminal plays an unexpectedly dignified role."" --Seattle Weekly
""Compelling. . . . Reads like pages torn from today's headlines about nefarious CEOs and corporate greed." --"Albany Times Union"
"Haunting.... Incisive... A chilling look at something that has become a too-common theme of modern times: the use of technology to develop new ways of killing."" --Roanoke Times
" "An eye-opening and riveting account of the battle for the future of electricity and the part that played in changing the technology of execution." --"Wilmington Sunday News Journal"
Richard Moran is professor of sociology at Mount Holyoke College and the author of Knowing Right from Wrong: The Insanity Defense of Daniel McNaughtan and numerous articles and reviews. He has also served as a commentator for National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and written op-eds for the Boston Globe, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, and Newsweek.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherAlfred a Knopf Inc
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 0375410597
- ISBN 13 9780375410598
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages271
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Executioner's Current: Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and the Invention of the Electric Chair
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Alfred a Knopf Inc, Westminister, Maryland, U.S.A.
(2002)
ISBN 10: 0375410597
ISBN 13: 9780375410598
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. No Jacket. 1st Edition. The electric chair developed out of the effort by Thomas Edison to blacken the name of his competitor Westinghouse. Westinghouse used AC current, and Edison convinced New York state to use alternating current to electrocute a prisoner on death row. The execution was horribly botched; Moran examines the competition that led to this new use of electricity, and many other issues associated with it. b/w illustrations, Notes, Index. Published @ $25.00. Seller Inventory # 015653
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EXECUTIONER'S CURRENT: THOMAS ED
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Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.35. Seller Inventory # Q-0375410597
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