Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Last Days of Night summary
The Last Days of Night summary
Graham Moore
Brief summary
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore is a gripping historical fiction novel that unravels the electrifying battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse during the early days of the electric industry, showcasing the triumphs and tribulations of these brilliant minds.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Last Days of Night
Summary of key ideas
Betting on the Future
In The Last Days of Night, Graham Moore invites us into the electrifying world of late 19th century America. We begin with the young lawyer, Paul Cravath, who faces the seemingly impossible task of defending George Westinghouse in a billion-dollar lawsuit over who invented the lightbulb. We find ourselves immersed in Paul’s daunting struggle against Thomas Edison, a formidable adversary in the courtroom and a pioneer of electrical lighting.
As we delve deeper into the narrative, we witness Paul’s masterful maneuvering among an array of fascinating characters, from his client, George Westinghouse, to the elusive and brilliant Nikola Tesla, and the eloquent high-society belle Agnes Huntington, who becomes Paul’s love interest and confidante. These relationships underscore the complexities and intrigue typical of the era and its transformative scientific discoveries.
The Race of Brilliant Minds
The plot intensifies in the middle of the book, where Moore skillfully paints a picture of the intellectual race that shook America and the world. The book allows us an intriguing glimpse into the lives of these famous inventors and the unrealized cooperation potential between them. The infamous rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse serves as the backdrop to Paul's growing understanding of the implications of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC).
Critical to Moore's portrayal of this tale is the understated genius, Tesla. His brilliant mind and peculiar ways add a layer of complexity to Paul's hard-won alliance with Westinghouse. These alliances and competitions illuminate how these titans of industry planted the seeds of America’s technological renaissance.
Shadows of Deception
The story reaches its climax as Paul uncovers a conspiracy that could tamper with the result of the trial. Behind the scenes, corrupt deals and power plays abound. The patent war swells into a national scandal, with each side using every manoeuvre in their legal arsenal to claim the invention and potential glory of electric light. Paul's real challenge is discerning who he can trust among the influential figures he encounters.
With Agnes's help, Paul unveils many secrets—some that endanger their lives. Despite the escalating stakes, Paul continues his relentless quest for truth, making surprising discoveries about Agnes, Tesla, and one mind-boggling invention that could change everything.
Raw Ambition and Grit
In the end, The Last Days of Night is as much a story about ambition and grit as it is about the cutthroat dynamics among great inventors. Edison’s dogged determination, Westinghouse’s pragmatism, Tesla’s enigmatic genius, and Paul’s unyielding pursuit for justice collide to shape history.
To conclude, this historical drama brilliantly weaves together fact and fiction to recreate the tumultuous world within which the electric era was born—a tale that reminds us just how the world we take for granted came about, and the pointed reminder that progress is often the result not of straightforward collaboration, but of fierce competition, messy battles, and a healthy dose of chaos.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Last Days of Night about?
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore is a gripping historical fiction that takes us back to the late 1800s and immerses us in the electrifying world of Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla. Through the eyes of a young lawyer, we witness the intense battle for the patent of the light bulb, and the groundbreaking legal and technological advancements that forever changed the world.
Who should read The Last Days of Night?
- Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of suspense
- People interested in the invention of the light bulb and the ensuing legal battles
- Anyone curious about the lives of famous inventors and the challenges they faced
Categories with The Last Days of Night
Book summaries like The Last Days of Night
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
29 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth