Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius
Description
Price: $24.95 - $15.29 (as of Aug 12, 2024 20:38:29 UTC – Details)
By: Marc Seifer (Author)
“The story of one of the most prolific,…
Reviews
William 2019 –
Book
It was an excellent book
NeanderthalTechMan –
Very thorough biography
This book is assiduously researched and footnoted. The author has evidently reviewed everything Tesla ever wrote, plus everything that’s been written about him. The organization of the book could form a bit more of a natural progression (i found the chronology hard to follow at times). The descriptions of the various characters (Edison, Westinghouse et al) are lively and entertaining. The book does risk being a bit of a hagiography, but the author does his subject quite well overall.
Txn –
Sort of dull historical
Lots of good info but very long and hard to read as it flashes around issues and times. Interesting as to his ideas, product improvements and inventions that most do not know, such as lasers, jet engines etc.
Retireddawg –
not much to this except a lot of letters
The story seems to be true to his life, but I was disappointed by the lack of story away from the letters he communicated
Nylon shell/cotton liner –
Tesla unsung visionary
Comprehensive, clearly written biography, unsung hero. I grew up in Miller Place, on Long Island, New York. To my grade school science teachers shame, Tesla’s name was mentioned only in passing. Maybe politics was involved. I had to discover this story on my own. Today’s taken for granted technology stands on Nicola Tesla’s shoulders!
David H. Hiergesell –
Absolutely Riveting… This Book is a Labor of Love
I just finished reading this enthralling book on N. Tesla and find that it is the finest piece of non-fiction I have ever read, without exaggeration. The thoroughness with which Seifer presents Tesla is unparalleled and the amount of detail included is just enough without going overboard. I am immensely satisfied with my experience in reading this book.Tesla stands with the giants of all time in science, yet due to his unique personality and self-effacing philosophy acted not in his personal interest for wealth and fame, but out of the best interest of all mankind. He was not honored for this philosophy in an era of cut throat capitalism and industrial expansion NOR is he honored in any manner worthy to his contributions to this day.Providing electricity virtually free to the entire planet wasn’t on the menu back then nor is it in these “technologically advanced” times. People need to read this book to understand that there is no “energy crisis” on this planet, only a crisis of will, greed, and hubris.His primary work was stolen, copied, and bungled brazenly by some of the greatest inventors of all time such as Thomas Edison and Marconi. The pure inventor lost credit for changing the world to the crass commercialists. This book clearly documents this sad reality. It does more than that though. This is a triumphant story as well. Tesla was a hundred years ahead of his time so his era is now.This book has given me an entirely different perspective on life, technology, and the value in knowing the truth. I no longer feel as though we live in a technologically advanced era. I think that the technology which excites the mind and inspires us as the greater human race is sorely missing that greatest inventor of all time.
sailorman –
Very in-depth and detailed account
As a qualifier for this review, you should know that I am an engineer by training.This book is not so much a story, but a chronicle of Nikola Tesla’s life. It is also a detailed account of his inventions, at least as far as can be known as he became rather secretive in his later years. This is both a positive and a negative as the book often gets bogged down in the details of an invention or a complicated business relationship.All of that being said, this treatise is likely to be one of the most complete and informative books on his life and inventions. You will also learn much about his quirky personality and it is through that bent that it became apparent to me why he didn’t get the credit he deserved and the acclaim in the science field. If you are not a technical person, you may find the book extremely tedious as it delves so very deeply into some of his most prominent failures.
60gram –
Tesla was perhaps a quirky individual, but what he knew and never stopped seeking, amazing person.
Tesla was the epitome of a quirky individual, who never stopped seeking, espectially wehn he was on what he thought was a solution. His pursuit of electricy via ley lines of Earth energy, which cold have provided free electric to all, is amazing. I am still studing those ley lines, and know he crossed the wrong elites, who did not want that result for everyone, with no money for them. I live where we have much glacier granite with crystal, and Tesla knew that was the key, and I think that is why our area draws UFOs, seeking that energy! In life, he was less successful on a human level, but his mind never stopped seeking.
I enjoyed finding out more of the life of Nikola Tesla. Given that his contributions were often greater than those of Thomas Edison, the lack of mention of him in most history books seems a bit odd. Basically, the only person I can think of who seemed to bubble over with ideas in the same fashion was Leonardo da Vinci. Sadly, it was also clear than while Nikola Tesla was a genius, his ability with business was not in the same class. All too often his inventions were used by others who seemed to use his patents without compensation or recognition.This next paragraph is my personal feelings on some of the book structure and content. For the most part, I liked the short chapters but at times they made the book seem jumpy. Some of the images did not seem to add anything to the book. The technical details on some his patents were interesting but again, for me, didn’t add much to the book. After the first few, I ended up skimming those details.Overall, I enjoyed the book and have it on my to be re-read list.
Wilson –
Um relato interessante do maior gênio da humanidade.A awesome book on the greatest genius ever on humanity.
Mr Collectahollic –
Lovely book about an extraordinary person.Dr Tesla; “He thought the incredible and did the near impossible” P.J.Webber 2018His ideas and inventions for the betterment of all humanity do you ever get the feeling our energy sources should be much further on they they actually are?I hope one day when the time is right and for the planets sake too we will get to see some more of his unpublished genius and inventions. Credit where it is due.”He certainly was a child of light and a man of Brilliance” P.J.W 2018
William 2019 –
Book
It was an excellent book
NeanderthalTechMan –
Very thorough biography
This book is assiduously researched and footnoted. The author has evidently reviewed everything Tesla ever wrote, plus everything that’s been written about him. The organization of the book could form a bit more of a natural progression (i found the chronology hard to follow at times). The descriptions of the various characters (Edison, Westinghouse et al) are lively and entertaining. The book does risk being a bit of a hagiography, but the author does his subject quite well overall.
Txn –
Sort of dull historical
Lots of good info but very long and hard to read as it flashes around issues and times. Interesting as to his ideas, product improvements and inventions that most do not know, such as lasers, jet engines etc.
Retireddawg –
not much to this except a lot of letters
The story seems to be true to his life, but I was disappointed by the lack of story away from the letters he communicated
Nylon shell/cotton liner –
Tesla unsung visionary
Comprehensive, clearly written biography, unsung hero. I grew up in Miller Place, on Long Island, New York. To my grade school science teachers shame, Tesla’s name was mentioned only in passing. Maybe politics was involved. I had to discover this story on my own. Today’s taken for granted technology stands on Nicola Tesla’s shoulders!
David H. Hiergesell –
Absolutely Riveting… This Book is a Labor of Love
I just finished reading this enthralling book on N. Tesla and find that it is the finest piece of non-fiction I have ever read, without exaggeration. The thoroughness with which Seifer presents Tesla is unparalleled and the amount of detail included is just enough without going overboard. I am immensely satisfied with my experience in reading this book.Tesla stands with the giants of all time in science, yet due to his unique personality and self-effacing philosophy acted not in his personal interest for wealth and fame, but out of the best interest of all mankind. He was not honored for this philosophy in an era of cut throat capitalism and industrial expansion NOR is he honored in any manner worthy to his contributions to this day.Providing electricity virtually free to the entire planet wasn’t on the menu back then nor is it in these “technologically advanced” times. People need to read this book to understand that there is no “energy crisis” on this planet, only a crisis of will, greed, and hubris.His primary work was stolen, copied, and bungled brazenly by some of the greatest inventors of all time such as Thomas Edison and Marconi. The pure inventor lost credit for changing the world to the crass commercialists. This book clearly documents this sad reality. It does more than that though. This is a triumphant story as well. Tesla was a hundred years ahead of his time so his era is now.This book has given me an entirely different perspective on life, technology, and the value in knowing the truth. I no longer feel as though we live in a technologically advanced era. I think that the technology which excites the mind and inspires us as the greater human race is sorely missing that greatest inventor of all time.
sailorman –
Very in-depth and detailed account
As a qualifier for this review, you should know that I am an engineer by training.This book is not so much a story, but a chronicle of Nikola Tesla’s life. It is also a detailed account of his inventions, at least as far as can be known as he became rather secretive in his later years. This is both a positive and a negative as the book often gets bogged down in the details of an invention or a complicated business relationship.All of that being said, this treatise is likely to be one of the most complete and informative books on his life and inventions. You will also learn much about his quirky personality and it is through that bent that it became apparent to me why he didn’t get the credit he deserved and the acclaim in the science field. If you are not a technical person, you may find the book extremely tedious as it delves so very deeply into some of his most prominent failures.
60gram –
Tesla was perhaps a quirky individual, but what he knew and never stopped seeking, amazing person.
Tesla was the epitome of a quirky individual, who never stopped seeking, espectially wehn he was on what he thought was a solution. His pursuit of electricy via ley lines of Earth energy, which cold have provided free electric to all, is amazing. I am still studing those ley lines, and know he crossed the wrong elites, who did not want that result for everyone, with no money for them. I live where we have much glacier granite with crystal, and Tesla knew that was the key, and I think that is why our area draws UFOs, seeking that energy! In life, he was less successful on a human level, but his mind never stopped seeking.
Angelica R. –
Hasta ahora me ha gustado mucho la narrativa. Permite entender el ambiente competitivo de la época.
Jitu –
One of the most amazing book.
Fairward –
I enjoyed finding out more of the life of Nikola Tesla. Given that his contributions were often greater than those of Thomas Edison, the lack of mention of him in most history books seems a bit odd. Basically, the only person I can think of who seemed to bubble over with ideas in the same fashion was Leonardo da Vinci. Sadly, it was also clear than while Nikola Tesla was a genius, his ability with business was not in the same class. All too often his inventions were used by others who seemed to use his patents without compensation or recognition.This next paragraph is my personal feelings on some of the book structure and content. For the most part, I liked the short chapters but at times they made the book seem jumpy. Some of the images did not seem to add anything to the book. The technical details on some his patents were interesting but again, for me, didn’t add much to the book. After the first few, I ended up skimming those details.Overall, I enjoyed the book and have it on my to be re-read list.
Wilson –
Um relato interessante do maior gênio da humanidade.A awesome book on the greatest genius ever on humanity.
Mr Collectahollic –
Lovely book about an extraordinary person.Dr Tesla; “He thought the incredible and did the near impossible” P.J.Webber 2018His ideas and inventions for the betterment of all humanity do you ever get the feeling our energy sources should be much further on they they actually are?I hope one day when the time is right and for the planets sake too we will get to see some more of his unpublished genius and inventions. Credit where it is due.”He certainly was a child of light and a man of Brilliance” P.J.W 2018