Executioner's Current

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