Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius by Marc J. Seifer

Jan 17, 2008 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is actually the reason I can't check out anything at the SF Public Library anymore. I took it out years ago, and by the time I started it, it was due back again. But being the lazy bastard I am, I just kept reading it because it was so engrossing, and never renewed it. Tesla was, next to Da Vinci, probably the purest and most intuitive scientific genius ever to have lived. He was also one of the most paranoid and eccentric, but really everyone knows that is a prerequisite for genius. S...more

like 7 likes · see review

Jan 07, 2008 Erica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nerdy-nonfiction

A little on the academic side at times, but Tesla himself is amazing enough to make up for any downsides to this book. The author does a good job of presenting the revolutionary nature of Tesla's inventions to a non-engineering audience, while also investigating the social and political reasons why he is rarely remembered for them today. Certainly better than the incoherent mess that is Margaret Cheney's TESLA: MAN OUT OF TIME.

like 3 likes · see review

Jan 19, 2012 Esa Ruoho rated it 2 of 5 stars

Well researched but disruptive biography on Nikola Tesla. Loaded with intrigue and drama. Author completely opposed to Nikola Tesla's Free Energy projects. He also takes the time to write a full chapter about how John Ernst Worrell Keely was a charlatan and a fake -- when you actually do proper research, you realize that Tesla and Keely were truly progressive inventors and researchers, Tesla into electricity, Keely into sound.

Biographer is unqualified to make statements on Tesla's energy resear...more

like 1 like · see review

Nov 26, 2007 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've always thought that Tesla was the hidden genius of world power, but that damn greedy ego-maniac Edison stole his magic thunder! You learn to hate the rival that does everything in his power to destroy the reputation of a genius, simply because I believe Edison knew Tesla was smarter. Granted, Tesla was a bit of an insane spark-wielding mama's boy, but hey, he had some serious brain power! There's all these theories that Tesla caused the Tunguska blast; that his ideas about hiding a ship fro...more

like 1 like · see review

May 11, 2013 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, history

Nikola Tesla was an amazing genius. He came very close to winning a Nobel Prize, jointly with Edison. Tesla was an brilliant, arrogant, eccentric character, full of energy. He made numerous fundamental scientific discoveries, and tried, to some extent, to capitalize on his discoveries through a whole host of inventions. He obtained many diverse patents, but he had little business sense, and this was exacerbated by corporations that often infringed on his patents without offering compensation. Co...more Nikola Tesla was an amazing genius. He came very close to winning a Nobel Prize, jointly with Edison. Tesla was an brilliant, arrogant, eccentric character, full of energy. He made numerous fundamental scientific discoveries, and tried, to some extent, to capitalize on his discoveries through a whole host of inventions. He obtained many diverse patents, but he had little business sense, and this was exacerbated by corporations that often infringed on his patents without offering compensation. Corporations (Westinghouse, RCA, AT&T, American Marconi) around the turn of the century had only profit as their motive, and honor and honesty was not given even a wink. He was more responsible for wireless communication than Marconi, but to this day people credit Marconi with the invention.

On the other hand, Tesla was the quintessential "mad scientist". He was often far ahead of his time, and people did not believe his grandiose ideas and grandiose claims. The thing is, he often came through on his grandiose claims. Before issuing a patent for "teleautomation", the chief patent examiner insisted on coming to witness Tesla's invention, and saw for himself that it did work. J.P. Morgan initially invested in Tesla's "wireless" system so that ships and racing boats could be tracked while at sea. However, Tesla took the investment and proceeded to develop ever-more grand systems to transmit radio waves across the oceans, even around the world. Then, when Tesla started to claim that he was working on wireless transmission of power, Morgan actively discouraged investors. Not because Morgan doubted that Tesla would be successful--on the contrary--he knew that the "wizard" would come through on his fantastic claims. Morgan did not believe in distribution of power "for free."

Toward the end of his life, Tesla made claims that he had invented a particle-beam death ray. We don't know if it was true--but it did get some attention from the FBI and other government agencies--after he died! And his eccentricity seems to be boundless--he hired people to feed pigeons in public places around New York City.

My favorite story is about how, in the very earliest days of his wireless experiments in Colorado Springs, he heard three distinct "taps". Tesla attributed the taps to communications from Martians. Later he was told that Marconi had been simultaneously demonstrating to the British Navy a long-range radio transmission. Tesla, though, still held onto his claim that he was receiving messages from Mars!

This book contains a wealth of detail about Tesla's life. It quotes many letters and documents written by Tesla, or to Tesla, or about him. Sometimes I felt that the book went into too much detail--it could have been considerably shorter without lessening its impact. The book contains some interesting analyses of Tesla's life, and some speculations as to why Tesla behaved as he did. The book goes into psychoanalytic speculation about reasons why Tesla became so eccentric--reasons having to do with early events in his life, when he grew up in Serbia. Tesla was the uncle of the author's father. Nevertheless, this family relationship does not seem to cloud or bias this biography. Both the good and the less-good points of Tesla's life story are included.(less)

like 10 likes · see review

Jan 18, 2013 Steven Peterson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nikola Tesla was without a doubt a genius when it came to electricity and engineering. Have you ever been in wonder at the electric power produced by Niagara Falls? Well, this was a product of Tesla's insights and work.

The book traces nicely the trajectory of Tesla's career. We learn of his youth and his formative influences. He moved to the United States and began his work inventing devices. Early on, he came up with an electrical system--A.C.--as opposed to Thomas Edison's D.C. The two ended u...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jun 04, 2012 Sean E. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished-i-r-p-books

“Wizard” Is a book about Nikola Tesla. It outlines the events in his life from his childhood to his final days. It begins describing his life as a child it tells that he was born in Smiljan, Croatia. It describes how his brother died and how this affected him as well as what his college was like. After college the book begins to describe his many years as an inventor chronologically ordering the years that he made inventions and listing them in different chapters as well as speaking about specif...more
“Wizard” Is a book about Nikola Tesla. It outlines the events in his life from his childhood to his final days. It begins describing his life as a child it tells that he was born in Smiljan, Croatia. It describes how his brother died and how this affected him as well as what his college was like. After college the book begins to describe his many years as an inventor chronologically ordering the years that he made inventions and listing them in different chapters as well as speaking about specific instances such as the lab fire that destroyed most of his work or his contact with “aliens”. At the end of the book the author sums up the end of Tesla’s life and explains many questions that were unanswered.

I found this book a long time ago. I was just forming my interest in Tesla, and I wanted a biography, with which I could further my knowledge. I chose this one as it seemed the most complete, little did I know it was the most complete. Too complete is more like it, I hardly understood what the author was trying to say I read it on several occasions and every time I was utterly confused as to the meaning of anything. Seifer goes off on weird tangents about characters that do not seem to matter. I tried on two separate occasions and neither time did I get very far until recently. I had to read the book for a project and, like they say “The third times the charm” the book made complete sense. No longer did Seifer leave me in a dead end only to push me back around and confuse me more. There is nothing more that this biography could include, It is, in my opinion the most complete book I have ever read.

If I had to grade this book on a 1 to 5 scale I would give it a 5 now, in the past I may have given it a 2. This book is most definitely not for everyone as I have stated it is not an easy read for inexperienced readers. It took me three tries to finally understand and follow the arcs, however once I understood the knowledge just kept flowing I would have to say after reading the book I felt like the worlds foremost expert on Tesla and his life, I know I am not, but I felt that way.(less)

like · see review

Mar 30, 2013 Morgan Blackledge rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but before reading this book, somewhere in the back of my mind, I had pretty much bought into the new age mythology that Tesla was a mystic genius visionary who was the victim of Edison's jealous, evil industrialist thievery and sabotage. Now, after reading accounts of Tesla's embarrassing social, financial and professional missteps, his ridiculous pleading correspondences to J.P. Morgan (and other wealthy would-be benefactors), and less than half baked journal submi...more I'm embarrassed to admit it, but before reading this book, somewhere in the back of my mind, I had pretty much bought into the new age mythology that Tesla was a mystic genius visionary who was the victim of Edison's jealous, evil industrialist thievery and sabotage. Now, after reading accounts of Tesla's embarrassing social, financial and professional missteps, his ridiculous pleading correspondences to J.P. Morgan (and other wealthy would-be benefactors), and less than half baked journal submissions (particularly the one that interpreted a three beat radio transmission as a communication from intelligent extra terrestrials), I'm seeing Tesla in a whole new light. Rather than a victim of conspiratorial thuggery, I now see Tesla as a victim of his own chronic douchiness.

Tesla was clearly decades ahead of his peers. But being "ahead of your time", contrary to hipster dogma, is not necessarily a good thing. Tesla had amazing ideas. But good ideas without good execution are about useless, where as even mediocre ideas, well executed, can at least be useful to someone. Tesla was with out a doubt, an amazing inventor. But it's hard not to feel like he could have achieved so much more if he wasn't such a dysfunctional, self sabotaging, grandiose douche bag.

This book is a well done (if a little long) biography of a fascinating (to say the least) character from a fascinating time. But the real value of the book is as a cautionary tale of how unchecked cognitive biases (see: confirmation bias) and magical thinking can be the undoing of even brilliant and talented people like Tesla. Be warned; if your model of reality becomes too divorced from actual reality, you may needlessly fritter away your hard work and talent on some really ridiculous shit.

Read this book, particularly if you like biographies of scientists, but if you're one of those Tesla worshipers, be prepared to deify the guy a whole lot less upon completion. Ultimately, the book renders a portrait of Tesla that is humane and realistic. Uncovering Tesla's scammy shenanigans, unexamined self delusions and outrageous foibles, while concurrently celebrating his incredible creativity and authentic brilliance.

BTW: a film is in production starring (self serious, tortured) Christian Bale as Tesla. I think (brilliant, trixter, clown) Sacha Baron-Cohen would make for a better, more realistic, funner film.(less)

like · see review

Feb 03, 2013 Jeanne rated it 4 of 5 stars

If there really is a thin line between madness and genius, this man is the poster boy. Tesla's contribution to the world of electricity is unprecedented in its depth, breadth, scope, and downright wackiness, but what an absolutely brilliant mind! Probably most famous for developing alternating current, the Tesla coil, remote control, radio communication, induction motors, and synchronously rotating magnetic fields. All this invention and experimentation took wads of cash that Tesla was forever i...more

like · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Jason Bergman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A fascinating look at the life of a strange and brilliant man. This is very much a warts and all approach to his life, which is a good thing, in my opinion. Tesla may have been a genius, but he was not a very practical man, and he had a deep self-destructive streak to him. There's a lot of great stuff in here, not the least of which is the appendix which examines whether or not Tesla's Wardenclyffe tower, which pretty much destroyed him financially (and mentally) could have ever been successful...more

like 1 like · see review

May 12, 2007 Miraese rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who saw "The Prestige" and thought the most interesting part was Tesla

I learned way too much to write in this box right now, Tesla was a real freak, but clearly an under-recognized founder of our modern electrical era. I had no idea.

like 2 likes · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Karmologyclinic rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, not-fiction, biography-memoir

I started this biography after I finished reading Against the Day by T. Pynchon and I was already intrigued by Tesla.
The biography had a nice equilibrium of the private and public life of N. Tesla, as well as defining the inventor's life in the historical context of social, scientific, political and economical zeitgeist. You can't focus solely on Tesla's life leaving outside his contemporaries. I didn't mind the long chapters of (seemingly) unrelated to Tesla stories of Edison, Marconi and the...more

like · see review

Apr 09, 2013 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very interesting very Long, 22hr & 17min with Simon Prebble's narration. Lots of stuff here and electrical engineer would love.
It is well produced audiobook about a great genius and strange fellow that others like Marconi & Edison liked to copy. Many great inventions that we credit others for originated with Tesla. He had the misfortune of my artists that he not only was driven to invent but forced to find financing to continue to create what we take for granted as the foundations of ou...more

like · see review

May 15, 2013 Martina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction

No review of mine would be complete without a little backstory, so I shall share it now. I've been acquainted with the genius of Nikola Tesla for a long, long time. Ever since I've come to the realization that we owe that man a lot, I've striven to inform myself about the man and his work. I watched documentaries, attended lectures, read publications; I was terribly angry when the recreated Tesla laboratory in the Technical museum wasn't open when I found a time slot to visit it... heh, the only...more No review of mine would be complete without a little backstory, so I shall share it now. I've been acquainted with the genius of Nikola Tesla for a long, long time. Ever since I've come to the realization that we owe that man a lot, I've striven to inform myself about the man and his work. I watched documentaries, attended lectures, read publications; I was terribly angry when the recreated Tesla laboratory in the Technical museum wasn't open when I found a time slot to visit it... heh, the only sin I'm guilty of is not visiting his house in Smiljan. I've even watched Prestige just to see how David Bowie had tapped into Tesla's role, for crying out loud.

That all being said, I have to admit that I've expected The Wizard to be a book suitable for revision of facts I already knew about Tesla. I thought that it should be good as an introduction to Tesla's life and work, but I was a bit skeptical on what new could such a book offer to me. You can't imagine my delight when I started reading - after the chapters on Tesla's origins and childhood, which presented me with little new facts, I embarked on a very different journey. I can only imagine the time and effort it took the author to collect so many sources, and write such a unique and complete biography. Every passage, sentence or letter has a reference, so that readers can be directed to other sources, either for checking or simply finding new literature. What I also loved was the inclusion of multiple tellings of some situations in Tesla's life (for example, the two contradictory stories that depict Tesla's drive for money, or lack thereof, in his dealings with Edison).

Seifer pictures Tesla's life in such minute detail, that even a person with a ready-made skeleton can make tweaks on the skeleton and start to construct tendons and joints, and completely flesh the structure out. The sheer wealth of information left me very impressed, and I was a skeptic no more. Instead, I learned so many things I didn't know prior, concerning Tesla's life and struggle. Because, let's face it, people - it was a battle with many admirable adversaries. From Edison, the people with whom Tesla had founded his first company, svindlers galore (yes, Michael Pupin and all that mendacious crowd that had preferred to simply not mention Tesla), money investors and bankers (yes, I'm talking about J.P. Morgan and the gang which squashed Tesla's dream of free energy), plagiators (yes, that is pointed towards Marconi), fires in his laboratories, to the general public (during the battle of currents and also later on in life), Tesla had had to fight his way to the top. And even though he had had his share of triumphs (1891/92. and the European tour, the fame which came in 1893/94., etc.), external factors and his own ideas seemed to work against him (after all, the ideas he had later on in life were the culprits of his pendulous fall...). Not to mention that he was in a not so grateful position of an expatriate in a new country (which he clearly felt, at least in the beginning, for he had written upon the demise of his Hungarian friend Szegeti, “I feel alienated, and it is difficult [for me to adapt to the American lifestyle].”). But in spite all that, he achieved great things of unsurpassed practical value. It would take me a whole book to list his discoveries, but let's mention the rotating magnetic field, polyphase electric system, lasers, fluorescent lights, wireless transmission and radio among the myriad other things we use in everyday life. But ultimately, Tesla's life story doesn't end up on a very optimistic note. Because, it all boils down to a man who had lots of great ideas which could have brought even more prosperity to mankind, but was barred from achieving the bulk of them by people who didn't have such altruistic interests as he had.

All in all, I really liked this book. After all, it can't possibly be dull when it has such a fascinating topic! However, it wasn't flawless. The chronological structure, while logical, was perhaps one of the weaknesses of the book. I can tell that Seifer's goal was to present Tesla's life in an orderly way, but as a result of that, some chapters felt jumbled as we got to read about the different aspects of Tesla's life, consecutively. (Don't get me wrong, one of The Wizard's strengths is that it also discusses Tesla's social life, and gives proof in the form of various letters, directed either to or from Tesla, but that was tightly enmeshed in the tales of Tesla's discoveries, which made it a bit difficult for my mind to switch from topic to topic.) Another minor quibble - after the chapter Loose ends and Tesla's death, the author talks about some historical issues which perhaps were not necessary. But aside from that, the book is great and I highly recommend it.
(less)

like 4 likes · see review

Apr 30, 2013 BetseaK rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those who want to know more about Nikola Tesla

Shelves: audiobooks, biographies

This was not an easy listen. Over 22 hours dense with information, including technical descriptions of Nikola Tesla's inventions!
This being said, I am glad I bought this audiobook. It covers not only Tesla's inventions and ideas but also his cultural background, his relationships with quite a number of the luminaries of the times, as well as his physical and mental health.
For this reader/listener with no electrical engineering background, the descriptions of Tesla's inventions and postulated th...more This was not an easy listen. Over 22 hours dense with information, including technical descriptions of Nikola Tesla's inventions!
This being said, I am glad I bought this audiobook. It covers not only Tesla's inventions and ideas but also his cultural background, his relationships with quite a number of the luminaries of the times, as well as his physical and mental health.
For this reader/listener with no electrical engineering background, the descriptions of Tesla's inventions and postulated theories, most of which in his own words, were a little hard to understand, let alone evaluate. However, bearing in mind that this is not a scientific appreciation of Tesla's work but his biography, the book fulfilled my desire to know more about Tesla's achievements and why he was transformed into a mythical figure. The technical descriptions were informative enough to give the general reader/listener a fairly good insight into an array of Tesla's inventions, including both the proved and the postulated ones.
Therefore, I appreciate Mr. Seifer's efforts to do Nikola Tesla justice, separating the myth built around him from historic facts, fairly pointing out where Tesla was wrong, and thus bringing Tesla's fascinating accomplishments and ideas/postulated theories into proper perspective.

I liked how the book was organized. It was set chronologically, yet centered on Tesla's world wireless communication system (Wardenclyffe), involving Tesla's desire and efforts to make wireless transmission of power possible (which seems to have stuck in the throat of the electrical engineering companies battling for their share in the market). What I found both interesting and saddening were the descriptions of the competition between inventors, disputes about who was 'the first' and Tesla's struggles against patent infringements. The book renders both Tesla's virtues and his weaknesses, and I must admit that some of Tesla's quirks made me dislike him at times. In spite of it, I found the events leading to the development of radio (the Wireless) most saddening. Tesla aimed valiantly high (ahead of this time), which unfortunately led him to a blind alley and lose the battle with Marconi (though he was able to recover some money in the Courts long after Marconi was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics).

(view spoiler)

All in all, I congratulate Mr. Seifer on well researched and fairly even-handed biography of Nikola Tesla. While some of Tesla's postulated inventions, as described, left me wondering whether they were only the product of a brilliant dreamer (in this context, be prepared for a bit of conspiracy theories at the end of the book, regarding Tesla's 'death beam weapon'), the book as a whole succeeded to convince me that this genius deserves better recognition.

As my review refers to the audio version of Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius, let me say a word or two about the narration. Simon Prebble's performance is excellent indeed. It suits the times in which Tesla lived, as well as the general mood of the book. I particularly enjoyed how Mr. Prebble voiced Tesla's personal correspondence with J.P. Morgan and others, bringing life and personality to the characters in the book.(less)

like 7 likes · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Jeri Lane rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was great...if I could only understand half of it. Ha ha. I have a fascination with Nikola Tesla and always have, however I am not of the capacity to understand his genius, which is what this book is mostly about. It gives a good account of his personal history, but of course, it focuses mostly on his amazing life's work and the vast improvements made to others work. Where would we be without Nikola Tesla? He has no doubt been touched by God. To understand energy and be able to harness...more

like 1 like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Allan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I listened to this book, so missed a lot of detail at various points in his life. The book was definitely not written from a hero-worship perspective, and the platitudes afforded to Tesla were based upon recitations from other sources. Without those elements, Tesla was portrayed as a dreamer, who couldn't really follow through with anything, and lived off the bounty of others. While I believe we all become more eccentric as we age, Tesla was more eccentric than normal. I also thought some of the...more

like · see review

Dec 24, 2012 Jessica Baumgartner rated it 2 of 5 stars

Nikola Tesla had abilities beyond that of many people, and though this book tried to present his life from all perspectives it is full of so much information pumped into so many different paragraphs that it becomes tedious. I had to take many breaks before deciding that this book is just a dry, hard read. I can usually push myself through a good book but how can one tell the story of a legend like Tesla in just one book? I'd much rather read the papers that he himself published and form my own i...more

like 1 like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Brett Stortroen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Exceptional Biography and Historical Masterpiece

Marc Seifer has done an exceptional piece of work in this masterpiece. Tesla's life journey and massive accomplishments to science are well documented in this book. I was very impressed in the well ordered timeline structure as well as the detailed interactions of Tesla with major figures of history. Tesla really was the electrical genius that has propelled science and technology to where it is today. As a wireless engineer and historian myself, I...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2009 Michael Riversong rated it 5 of 5 stars

Once anyone finds out about Tesla, it becomes necessary to know more. Many biographies of varying quality have been written. This is the best by far. Marc Seifer, a professional graphoanalyst, managed to gain access to original correspondence as his source material. He integrated this with thorough research. This provides factual information about many of Tesla's inventions, along with the real reasons why some of his work never became part of our lives to the extent that AC electricity and radi...more

like · see review

May 16, 2013 Margie rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: The serious scholar

Shelves: biographies-memoirs, science, abandoned

Tesla is one of the most awesomest coolio scientists evah. Totally. Check out what The Oatmeal has to say: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla.

And if you're writing your dissertation on Tesla and need to know whether he was in New Jersey or New York on April 19th so that you can confirm that a conversation really took place, this is the book for you. It's great at that level of documentation. On the other hand, if you want to read about how awesomely coolio Tesla was, this book may make you want...more

like 1 like · see review

Dec 15, 2012 J.P. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

I’m still looking for the definitive biography on Nikola Tesla because rest assured this isn’t it.
The author throws non-essential information about like it was confetti. I knew from the first chapter when he starts with the history of Croatia that this would be a less than promising beginning. Unfortunately it doesn’t get any better. People keep cropping up who had very little contact with or influence on Tesla. Information on his discoveries are kept to a minimum while matters of who filed what...more

like 4 likes · see review

Jun 23, 2008 Mike Hernandez rated it 3 of 5 stars

What I failed to realize when I started reading this book was how literal the title was. I was expecting a biography of the life of Nikola Tesla. Indeed there was a biography, however there is also a huge emphasis on The Life AND TIMES of Nikola Tesla. It seemed that every other page was filled with a bunch of extraneous crap that had little to no bearing on "the life" part of the book. A perfect example is that almost every event ever attended by Tesla was listed, which is fine, however the aut...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 12, 2011 Nicholas Griffith rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the best biographies I've ever read. Seifer has exhausted all avenues of investigation and refined the information into a coherent and entertaining read that doesn't skimp out on the nitty gritty nuts and bolts of the very mortal man that was Tesla. Still, it's an astounding account of someone who invented a great preponderance of devices definitively "modern"; from fluorescent lighting (which he invented when Edison perfected his fire-pit in a glass ball we call incandescence) to wireles...more

like · see review

Nov 14, 2010 Daniel rated it 5 of 5 stars

I endorse this book. If this book were a person, that person would kick Chuck Norris' ass. If this book were edible, your head would explode from the sheer ecstasy. If this book were a sound, your ears would explode--twice. I must warn you, though. If you aren't worthy, then this book will burn your hands upon contact. Only the most devote individuals have ever been known to hold this book and survive, let alone read it.

In other words, this book is awesome.

like 2 likes · see review

Jun 26, 2012 Gale Jake added it

Shelves: biographies

Audible book.. Started 4/13/12..Exhaustive review on Tesla, his inventions and his very difficult efforts to raise capital to build the them. Inventor of inductive 3 phase electric motors, wireless signal transmission and hundreds of electrical devices, filed many patents. Eccentric individual, huge personal challenges, especially traising investments especially with repeated begging, for funds from JP Morgan. Covers his personal life, contemporaries, competitors, conflicts,successes. 22 hour lo...more

like · see review

Jan 16, 2011 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nikola Tesla invented polyphase alternating current, radio and wireless power transmission. He was one of the most influential people in our recent history and this biography is the most accurate and detailed account of his life available in print. Not just a catalog of his inventive achievements, "Wizard" exposes the difficulties and eccentricities that come with being one of the most intelligent people to ever live. Highly recommended.

like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Jaroslav rated it 5 of 5 stars

Awesome book about dramatic life of Tesla, man who invented alternating current power and therefore enabled technological revolution in the 20th century. It also provides an insight into an unforgiving battles of electrical engineering companies for their share of market, launching massive patent disputeslike the one we can see in the field of computing and handheld devices. Breezed through, despite the book's length.

like · see review

Apr 24, 2012 William rated it 3 of 5 stars

The book was good, but read too much like it was meant as an almost scholarly work. Seifer definitely wrote this to be more on the informative side rather than entertainment; regardless, anyone that has ever wondered about Tesla, and how much he really contributed to the modern world should read this. anyone that doesn't should be sent to live in an Amish village for a week to understand how important he was.

like · see review

Dec 16, 2011 Kent rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm surprised we don't know more of Tesla, the much maligned inventor of a huge piece of our modern world. He is an absolutely intriguing figure from the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th. He was a Leonardo da Vinci type genus. Focused on discovery and not business, he lost the profits of his labors. He appears to become increasingly more disconnected from the real world as he grew older... Or have we just not yet learned what he knew. I'll save my pennies for a Tesla. http:/...more

like · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
Science and Inquiry: * May 2013 - Wizard	12	67	May 16, 2013 09:48am
why read?	4	30	Jan 19, 2013 03:13am

title link	preview: Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius
avg rating	preview: Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius Goodreads rating: 3.82 (585 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/494.Wizard?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338217663l/494.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/494.Wizard?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius by Marc J. Seifer[/url]

Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (9)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Marc J. Seifer

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Wizard: The Life ...

Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (9)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Marc J. Seifer

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Wizard: The Life ...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (9)