Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius by Marc J. Seifer
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Summary
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943), credited as the inspiration for radio, robots, and even radar, has been called the patron saint of modern electricity. Based on original material and previously unavailable documents, this acclaimed book is the definitive biography of the man considered by many to be the founding father of modern electrical technology. Among Tesla's creations were the channeling of alternating current, fluorescent and neon lighting, wireless telegraphy, and the giant turbines that harnessed the power of Niagara Falls.
If the aim of a biography is to capture the essence of a person's life and the era they lived in, then Tesla's life and times were rather lackluster. This book delves into great detail, presenting numerous actual facts and striving to encompass all of Tesla's inventions. You can get a sense of the author's style from the lengthy title alone. It's evident that the author is a dedicated Tesla enthusiast, although this may have hindered their ability to maintain objectivity. Having previously enjoyed Mr. Isaacson's captivating biographies on Jobs and Einstein, perhaps I had set my expectations too high. It seems we are still in need of a compelling biography on Tesla, as this remarkable individual deserves nothing less. I must admit that I couldn't make it through the entire book and ended up stopping halfway. Perhaps I missed out on the best part, but I have my doubts.
I've always had a fascination with Tesla. I was curious to delve deeper into his inventions and gain a better understanding of why he seems to have been forgotten by history.
This book successfully satisfied both of these curiosities. I gained a wealth of knowledge about his inventions, which I found incredibly intriguing. Additionally, I discovered that Tesla had a rather inflated ego and an overwhelming Messiah complex that made him quite difficult for people to tolerate. To be honest, I decided to stop listening to the book when there was only an hour left because I found Tesla's personality so off-putting.
I had high hopes for "Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book spends a significant portion of its pages covering Tesla's life up until 1900, but surprisingly, it lacks any interesting details about his life before 1890, despite his advanced education in the 1870s. The author fails to provide a clear explanation of Tesla's groundbreaking inventions, such as the AC induction motor and polyphase AC technology, and how they differed from the DC technology promoted by Edison.
Instead, the book delves into Tesla's personal and social life, emphasizing his reliance on wealthy and influential friends for support, as well as his inability to see his ambitious projects through to completion. Towards the end, the author hints at Tesla's sexuality, but there is limited information about his actual inventions and discoveries, which are rumored to be numerous.
Ultimately, the biography focuses more on Tesla's peculiar personality and personal flaws rather than his scientific accomplishments, leaving the reader wanting more substantial information. If you're seeking a comprehensive understanding of Tesla's scientific contributions, this book may not be the best choice, as Wikipedia would likely provide more informative details.
By the conclusion of the book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for Tesla. He lived a profoundly melancholic life, seemingly unprepared to handle his own genius and capitalize on it. While he managed to become a renowned scientist and even a celebrity, competing with the likes of Edison, Westinghouse, and his longtime benefactor, J.P. Morgan, Tesla comes across as a man trapped in a cycle of repeating mistakes. The book fails to make it clear why he was able to maintain lifelong friendships, despite his flaws.
In all honesty, I cannot recommend this book. It left me with a sense of disappointment and no positive emotions. I'm surprised I managed to finish it; I kept hoping it would improve, but unfortunately, it never did.
Seifer did an incredible job of portraying the life and era of Nikola Tesla, who was truly an extraordinary and eccentric scientific genius. This book is a must-read, guaranteed to captivate readers.
Did you enjoy listening to 'Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius' by Marc J. Seifer, narrated by Simon Prebble? Would you consider giving another book by the same author or narrator a chance?
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