Title: 1946: A True Story of Wealth, Extraordinary Success and Great Tragedy
Author: Diana Gillmor
Publisher: Pageturner, Press and Media
ISBN: 978-1649081841
Pages: 346
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Read Book Review

It is safe to say that some of the biggest aspects of the turn of the 20th century which put the era on the map were the vast amounts of genius inventions and innovation. As Plato once said, “I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.”

In author Diana Gillmor’s 1946: A True Story of Wealth, Extraordinary Success and Great Tragedy, the author uses a narrative approach to tell a non-fiction tale of Reginald and Edwina Gillmor, who at the turn of the 20th century found themselves on a collision course to meet one another, while a new company and prized invention was set to light the world on fire. Becoming part of the 9th largest company in the United States at the time, Reginald was part of the creation of gyroscope-based aviation equipment and instruments, which included autopilots, weapons guidance systems and bombsights. From their early lives and meeting one another to the success in business they enjoyed and the tragic outcome of their lives, one of them in particular.

This was a fascinating and creative approach to the historical, non-fiction genre. Telling this story from Edwina’s point of view especially worked, showcasing the foundation of a powerful family and the many highs and lows of being a part of such a family. From the historical aspect of Edwina recounting the changes the world around them was undergoing to the choices they made in their personal lives and the strained relationship, Reginald would go on to have with some of his children, it is quite a powerful read in which history fans will not be able to get enough of.

This book is written for anyone who enjoys history, non-fiction reads and stories of family drama and intrigue. The author expertly crafts the narrative in a very real sense that captures the real-life events of Reginald and Edwina while also crafting the narrative to feel like a modern-day fictional family drama.

This is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind and evenly paced read that readers will not be able to get enough of. Author Diana Gillmor’s 1946: A True Story of Wealth, Extraordinary Success and Great Tragedy is a must-read book filled with vast amounts of drama, memorable time periods and settings overall, and a shocking and emotional ending that showcases the pressure that keeping secrets and becoming part of an empire can have on a person. Be sure to grab your copy today!