Book Blurb:
The untold saga of Thomas Edison’s greatest invention – the resurrector – a machine designed to penetrate the barrier between life and death. Edison is accompanied on his metaphysical quest by John Dawkins, his heroic, young assistant with a tragic past; Emily Auburn, a Ziegfeld Follies showgirl, and her wise-cracking rehearsal pianist, the teenage George Gershwin. Destiny propels them from the mind-boggling marvels of Edison’s secret laboratory, to the Captiva Island compound of the Seminole Indians, to the frontlines of the Great War. Their journey climaxes in a dual finale; a go-for-broke aerial mission to foil the Germans’ surprise attack on American forces, and a decisive struggle for the soul of mankind in the dark heart of the dead zone.
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As an innovator and author who admires and has written about the iconic Edison, I can’t think of a more creative treatment of his genius. This brilliantly-crafted book will keep you turning the pages until the final twist. Enjoy the ride!”
Lorraine Marchand, General Manager, IBM Watson Health and author of The Innovation Mindset (Columbia University Press)----------------
Hang onto your history books! Only David Church could make Thomas Edison an action hero and populate his adventures with rich characters and brilliant plot twists rooted in actual events. It’s the most cinematic and satisfying read I’ve devoured in years.
Larry Dean Harris
Artistic Director, Strong Words
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/QX4Tp5
Author Bio:
David Church is the author of the award-winning novel, “Thomas Edison and the Purgatory Equation,” the first installment in ‘The Edison Trilogy.’ A former advertising executive, he has written for publications as wildly diverse as “Soap Opera Digest” and “Interview,” authored an environmental children’s book, “Larue and the Brown Sky” (illustrations by Toby Bluth), co-authored the cult-musical, “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas” (with Jim Webber and Joe Patrick Ward) and developed a variety of films for United Artists, CBS and NBC, including “Psychic Housewife” and “Saving Grace.” David is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America West. He lives and works in Southern California.
Editorial Review:
"Thomas Edison and the Purgatory Equation" by David Church is a captivating and
fascinating novel that combines historical reality with fantasy, creating a unique story about
one of the greatest inventors of all time. The book explores not only Edison's well-known
achievements—the electric light, the phonograph, and the motion picture—but also a
lesser-known and much more mysterious invention: a machine designed to penetrate the
boundary between life and death.
The story begins in February 1918, when Edison, along with his assistant John Dawkins,
and two companions, Emily Auburn and teenage pianist George Gershwin, mysteriously
disappear. When they reappear a month later, Edison abandons his invention and refuses to
ever reveal what happened during that enigmatic winter: „Every failed experiment,”
proclaimed Thomas Alva Edison, “is still a step forward.” ” This noble motto reflects Edison's
tenacity, but also his overwhelming moments of doubt. Throughout his experiments, even in
the face of painful failures, he continued to hope for a discovery. The book is not just a
romanticized biography, but also a profound analysis of Edison's genius complexity.
Additionally, the book explores the world of spiritualism, which became popular during that
period, and Edison's encounter with the famous occultist Madame Blavatsky adds an
additional layer of mystery and fascination. This contributes to the novel's central theme: the
fine line between science and mysticism, life and death. David Church masterfully blends
historical details with fictional elements, creating an authentic atmosphere of the era. For
example, the scene where John discovers Edison's secret laboratory is described with
meticulous attention to detail, amplifying the mystery and suspense. As John ventures
deeper into the labyrinth of corridors and secret rooms, the reader is drawn into a world of
intrigue and technological innovation.
The characters are well-rounded and complex. Edison is portrayed not only as a brilliant
inventor but also as a man with secrets and fears. His relationship with his assistants,
especially Harry Singer, adds narrative depth. Harry, though capable and trustworthy, feels
that Edison doesn't share all his secrets, creating subtle tension in the story. Moreover, the
complex character of Thomas Edison is deeply explored, revealing not only his technical
genius but also his vulnerabilities and inner conflicts.
Another captivating aspect of the novel is its depiction of the early days of cinematography.
Church manages to capture the enthusiasm and technical challenges of filmmaking during
that time. The book is not lacking in action either. Confrontations with German spies add a
fast pace and moments of suspense. The use of futuristic devices such as levitation tubes
and dynamite weapons introduces a science fiction element that enriches the narrative and
makes it even more captivating. The intrigue of the book unfolds across multiple temporal
and geographical planes, blending elements of reality and fiction to create a tension-filled
narrative full of surprises.
One of the novel's strengths is how the author weaves together historical details with
fantasy, resulting in a story that is both educational and highly entertaining.
One memorable scene from the book depicts Edison alongside his wife, Mina, organizing a
series of recitals for the Music Appreciation Society. Despite her efforts, Mina faces
challenges in arranging these events in a small town, trying to bring a bit of metropolitan
refinement into the everyday lives of the locals. Respected by the community for her
decency and humanity, Mina earns her reputation as a distinguished lady through her own
merits, not just because of her marriage to Edison. This adds an authentic and profound
dimension to her character, showing her as more than just the wife of a famous man.
On the other hand, Edison is presented in a complex light, a man of contrasts, as seen in
scenes where he is depicted tirelessly working in his laboratory, even after a devastating fire
destroys part of it. As the firefighting team finishes their work, a mysterious and vengeful
figure, Gaunt, emerges from the ashes, shouting Edison's name, suggesting that their
friendship might actually be a relationship of enmity.
Their journey takes Edison and his team to Florida, where they encounter diverse and
intriguing characters, including Papa Abaladi, the chief of the Seminole tribe, and an
undercover agent with malicious intentions, Hans Gudegast. Their interactions with the
Seminole tribe add an exotic and adventurous touch to the story, while Edison's
collaborators work feverishly on a new device, the "resurrector," promising to open gates to
the afterlife: „Night arrived, and the island appeared to be deserted. However, the members
of the tribe were strategically positioned in an assortment of hiding places: surveillance
platforms in the tree-tops, camouflaged trenches along the perimeter and stealth
compartments in the hollowed-out trunks of mangrove trees. John and Papa Abaladi shared
a sentry tower, a circular platform that hugged the upper branches of one of the island’s
sturdiest trees. In the distance, a tympani of thunder rumbled and winds gusted through the
palm fronds creating a low-pitched whoosh that signaled an encroaching storm. Papa
Abaladi sang a soft, rhythmic chant in communion with the spirits of his ancestors. Then the
music died in his throat and his eyes opened wide. “They come.” ”This passage masterfully
describes a scene of maximum tension, where nature and people seem to be in a disturbing
harmony before an inevitable confrontation. The author employs vivid and descriptive
language to create powerful images in the reader's mind, thereby intensifying emotions and
expectations.
The story reaches its climax with a moment of spectacular illumination, where all of Edison's
inventions come to life and the lights of New York City shine with blinding intensity. John and
Gershwin, witnesses to this astonishing spectacle, realize that a new adventure, fraught with
dangers for civilization, is about to begin: „Emily sang out, working the room to keep one eye
on the audience and the other on the open window. A flurry of sparks erupted from the
center of the compound. It must be John! She continued with greater insistence: The folks
up north – She slapped the lid of the piano, producing a reverberating whack that jolted
Gershwin. Will – Another slap, harder. Gershwin increased the tempo. Emily continued to
beat the piano lid on every syllable, rousing the audience from its polite stupor: See me no
more When I get to that Swanee shore – ‘Everybody sing!’ commanded Emily and the
guests joined in, timidly at first and then with a growing sense of boisterous fun.”
The ending of David Church's novel "Thomas Edison and the Purgatory Equation" is marked
by tension and a looming sense of conflict, both on the ground and in the air, as Edison and
his allies prepare to confront their enemies. In a captivating blend of realism and fantasy,
Edison and the Seminole tribe join forces to defend their territory against an imminent
German threat. This fascinating read combines history with fiction, presenting Edison as
both a brilliant human being and a genius in extraordinary circumstances. Church's narrative
style captivates the reader with vivid details and a well-woven plot, turning this book into an
unforgettable adventure. "Thomas Edison and the Purgatory Equation" is a well-written and
well-researched story that reminds us of the importance of perseverance and dreams, even
in the face of repeated failures, reaffirming Edison's status as one of the most extraordinary
inventors of all time. It appeals to history enthusiasts and those passionate about
suspenseful stories and astonishing discoveries alike.
*****
"Thomas Edison and the Purgatory Equation" by David Church receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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