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BOOK REVIEW

LAST DAYS OF NIGHT

By Graham Moore

Reviewed by J. J. Waller Jr., MD

It is 1888 in New York City, and
the “gas” lighting of the city (homes,
businesses, and street lights) is barely
beginning to be replaced by the early
electric “light bulb.” Two companies
are in deep competition to control
the production and distribution of
electricity and the new electric
“bulb.” One is the Edison Electric
Company and the other is the West-
inghouse Company. Great contro-
versy exists between the two as to the
patent rights to the electric light
bulb. The original patent was
awarded to Thomas Edison, but a
slight modification by George West-
inghouse has resulted in Edison suing
Westinghouse for one billion dollars
for infringement on his patent. The
winner of the suit will control all the
production of the “bulb,” and distri-
bution of the electricity nationally.

Paul Cravath, a young Columbia Law School graduate, is a legal prodigy graduating
at the top of his class. He is hired by a prominent firm which is being considered by
Westinghouse as their legal representative against Edison. After extensive interview
of multiple lawyers, Westinghouse selects the young Cravath to defend his company
versus Edison. Thomas Edison meets with Cravath in an attempt to discourage him
by revealing all the extensive information he possesses and law suits he has filed, but
Paul remains steadfast in his commitment to continue against all odds.

Thus begins several years of suits, countersuits, dispositions, secrete investigations,
arson attempts, attempted murder, corporate spies, and multiple other above board
and undercover activities by both sides in this extremely important battle. The nar-
rative eventually involves most of the wealthy magnates of the era, including John
Rockefeller, Alexander G. Bell, J.P. Morgan, a beautiful Metropolitan Opera star, and
the Huntington elite of California.

All the events and individuals are woven into a tremendously fascinating historical
novel. As Cravath pursues his all-consuming endeavor he becomes involved with the
brilliant, eccentric, scientist and inventor (from Croatia) Nikola Tesla. This rare in-
dividual first assisting Edison and then Westinghouse in their labs, independently,
with the assistance Cravath, develops the application of alternating current. This
compounds the controversy, with Edison advocating direct current and Westinghouse
alternating current as the means of electrical transmission.

After many legal and personal disappointments and failures Cravath finally devel-
ops a scheme to resolve the issues legally confronting the two great inventors, Edison
and Westinghouse. The eventual resolution assumes a form no one could ever have
anticipated, and results in the eventual electrification of the United States.

24 San Antonio Medicine • September 2017