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Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity
Nikola Tesla was an eccentric genius who out-Edisoned Edison and out-Marconied Marconi. Born of modest means in what is now Croatia and later becoming a naturalized American citizen, Tesla’s inventions include the alternating current (AC) that powers our homes today, radio, wireless transmission, X-rays, and the electrifying Tesla coil. He even worked on development of direct energy weapons (death rays) and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
During his lifetime Tesla moved first to Paris, then to New York, and after a period of time in Colorado Springs back to New York City where he maintained two laboratories. Along the way he worked for Edison, then became his biggest rival, and formed friendships with such divergent personalities as George Westinghouse, Mark Twain, a pigeon, all while reflecting on a childhood cat. His idiosyncrasies included an obsession with numbers divisible by three, ardent gambling, and a near-pathological fear of germs. He rarely slept more than a few hours at a time, often going days without rest. While generally soft-spoken, he could be a consummate showman, often insisting that his Tesla coil be present while he lectured, seemingly shooting lightning bolts as he spoke. In the end he died alone and nearly penniless, having ceded perhaps billions of dollars in royalties to his friend George Westinghouse. This illustrated book takes us through Tesla’s life, his experiments and contributions to science, and brings us into his complex mind. Through ample use of his writings and interviews with the societies and inventors clubs that honor his name, we explore Tesla’s methods and discoveries, personality quirks, and his legacy for the modern world – both scientific and popular culture.
During his lifetime Tesla moved first to Paris, then to New York, and after a period of time in Colorado Springs back to New York City where he maintained two laboratories. Along the way he worked for Edison, then became his biggest rival, and formed friendships with such divergent personalities as George Westinghouse, Mark Twain, a pigeon, all while reflecting on a childhood cat. His idiosyncrasies included an obsession with numbers divisible by three, ardent gambling, and a near-pathological fear of germs. He rarely slept more than a few hours at a time, often going days without rest. While generally soft-spoken, he could be a consummate showman, often insisting that his Tesla coil be present while he lectured, seemingly shooting lightning bolts as he spoke. In the end he died alone and nearly penniless, having ceded perhaps billions of dollars in royalties to his friend George Westinghouse. This illustrated book takes us through Tesla’s life, his experiments and contributions to science, and brings us into his complex mind. Through ample use of his writings and interviews with the societies and inventors clubs that honor his name, we explore Tesla’s methods and discoveries, personality quirks, and his legacy for the modern world – both scientific and popular culture.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
26 people are currently reading
950 people want to read
About the author
David J. Kent
8 books145 followersDavid J. Kent is an award-winning Abraham Lincoln historian and award-winning former scientist. He is the author of books on Abraham Lincoln, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison. His website is davidjkent-writer.com.
His forthcoming book, "Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours," will be released in March 2026.
His forthcoming book, "Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours," will be released in March 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 27, 2013
Oodles and oodles of images. Quite a decent compilation / reorganisational effort by the author to put together tidbits from all kinds of Tesla biographies. While less hostile towards Free Energy and Tesla's contemporaries than Marc J. Seifer's blackballing efforts, still quite dismissive of Tesla's ether, Wilhelm Reich's orgone energy, Stanley Meyer and Free Energy as a whole.
Beautiful and attractive design, quick to read, good biography to start with (if then followed by "My Inventions" and "Prodigal Genius" and "Man Out of Time" and, of course, Nikola Tesla's own articles). Some of the chapters detailing Tesla as a pop-culture phenomenon were quite informative, and it is good to see that the cult of Tesla (the conspiracy theories, Tesla as a venusian ET alien) were discussed head-on and without flinching.
Nice selection of quotes from Tesla's articles, footnotes-galore, nice to see mentions of tfcbooks dot com and other such places.
Could be an interest-starter.
Beautiful and attractive design, quick to read, good biography to start with (if then followed by "My Inventions" and "Prodigal Genius" and "Man Out of Time" and, of course, Nikola Tesla's own articles). Some of the chapters detailing Tesla as a pop-culture phenomenon were quite informative, and it is good to see that the cult of Tesla (the conspiracy theories, Tesla as a venusian ET alien) were discussed head-on and without flinching.
Nice selection of quotes from Tesla's articles, footnotes-galore, nice to see mentions of tfcbooks dot com and other such places.
Could be an interest-starter.
September 29, 2021
A great book if you’re interested in the life, efforts, and impact of Nikola Tesla!
February 15, 2024
Nikola Tesla sa narodil v dobe, kedy sa v priemere z 25 mužov iba jeden živil intelektuálnou prácou. Aj to väčšinou ako učiteľ alebo farár, čo malo byť pôvodne aj Nikolove poslanie. Našťastie, Tesla v mladosti ochorel na choleru, a keď bol na pokraji smrti, tak mu otec zo zúfalstva sľúbil, že ak vyzdravie, tak môže ísť namiesto teológie študovať techniku. Tesla následne zázračne vyzdravel :) Aj keď Teslov otec bol ako farár vzdelaný muž, tak Nikola vraj zdedil inteligenciu a vynaliezavosť po matke, ktorá síce nevedela čítať ani písať, ale väčšinu nástrojov potrebných na chod domácnosti si vyrábala vlastnoručne sama. Nikola mal okrem troch sestier len jedného staršieho brata, ktorý sa volal Dane. Ten mal byť, ako najstarší syn, novou hlavou rodiny. Dane ale zomrel v mladom veku pádom z koňa. Podľa niektorých zdrojov vraj koňa neúmyselne vyplašil práve Nikola. Stalo sa to, keď mal Nikola 5 rokov.
Nikola Tesla sa narodil srbským rodičom na území, ktoré dnes patrí Chorvátsku, ale vtedy bolo pod vládou Rakúsko - Uhorska, a rozhodol sa väčšinu života prežiť v USA. Zaujímavosťou je, že v dokumentoch o americkej naturalizácií Nikolu Teslu sa ako jeho pôvodné občianstvo uvádza práve to rakúske, a ako jeho trvalý pobyt tam je uvedená adresa v New Yorku, v hoteli Gerlach.
Tieto, a mnoho ďalších zaujímavostí o Nikolovi Teslovi sa dajú nájsť v tejto veľmi pekne spracovanej a ilustrovanej knižke.
Nikola Tesla sa narodil srbským rodičom na území, ktoré dnes patrí Chorvátsku, ale vtedy bolo pod vládou Rakúsko - Uhorska, a rozhodol sa väčšinu života prežiť v USA. Zaujímavosťou je, že v dokumentoch o americkej naturalizácií Nikolu Teslu sa ako jeho pôvodné občianstvo uvádza práve to rakúske, a ako jeho trvalý pobyt tam je uvedená adresa v New Yorku, v hoteli Gerlach.
Tieto, a mnoho ďalších zaujímavostí o Nikolovi Teslovi sa dajú nájsť v tejto veľmi pekne spracovanej a ilustrovanej knižke.
April 12, 2018
No hay duda de que Nikola Tesla es una de las figuras más infravaloradas de la historia o en su real contribución a los más grandes inventos que actualmente son imprescindibles en nuestras vidas. ¿Algún otro científico ha sido capaz de inventar el sistema de corrientes que nos permite abastecernos de electricidad a kilómetros, o ha sido el precursor de la robótica en lo que al futuro se conocerían como los drones, la invención de la radio y muchas tantas cosas más que habrían adelantado siglos a la humanidad tecnológicamente?, la triste realidad es que Tesla murió solo en un hotel de Nueva York que la compañía Westinghouse le costeó, otras personas se llevaron el crédito de sus logros y muchos de sus papeles fueron confiscados por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Casi fue un milagro que no quedara en el más absoluto olvido.
Afortunadamente su figura ha vuelto a resurgir de forma considerable en esta última década, reconociendo su gran importancia y aporte como el inventor de la humanidad y por eso mismo he disfrutado mucho leyendo este libro que recibí la Navidad pasada y que también está maravillosamente escrito, porque permite entender de forma clara no solo la singular vida de este personaje, sino a que las partes más técnicas como la física e ingeniería adquieran un lenguaje más accesible (Reconociendo aquí que nunca fui ni he sido buena para las matemáticas o física, así que ha sido un milagro entender el funcionamiento de la mente de Tesla y el funcionamiento de sus inventos). Quizás como muchos, la primera vez que oí hablar de él fue en la película de Christopher Nolan, The Prestige, donde era interpretado por David Bowie, creo que nunca más olvidé esa icónica escena donde Tesla surgía a través de la electricidad, como si no fuese alguien de este mundo. Posteriormente aprendí a conocer más sobre él a través de otros medios, especialmente su rivalidad con Thomas Edison, lo que más se destaca al hablar sobre Tesla. Pero lo bueno de este libro es que no solamente se enfoca en la llamada Guerra de las Corrientes, sino que nos abre los ojos a que su contribución fue mucho más allá de la electricidad. Conocemos a un joven Tesla que siempre estuvo destinado a la ciencia, que desde joven cuestionó el funcionamiento mecánico del mundo en busca de una respuesta que fuera mucho más satisfactoria a su punto de vista. A un Tesla esclavo de sus obsesiones y escrúpulos que nunca pudo llamar a una persona por su nombre de pila, que no toleraba los colores vistosos en las mujeres que trabajaban para él y que por absoluta dedicación a la ciencia decidió no casarse, suprimiendo cualquier gusto o deseo por alguna mujer que se le cruzase en su camino y ciertamente mujeres no faltaron, porque a pesar de sus “rarezas” era un hombre muy educado y caballeroso. Como señala el libro, la gran actriz de la época, Sarah Bernhardt, tiró su pañuelo a su paso y él lo recogió devolviéndoselo sin ni siquiera mirarla. Había gente en ese tiempo que hubiese matado por el pañuelo de Bernhardt. Para Sara fue una ofensa, pero incluso así visitó su laboratorio en New York. Pero sin lugar a duda, el Tesla que más me sorprendió fue aquel que se atrevió a cuestionar y a oponerse a la Teoría de la Relatividad de Albert Einstein, teoría que cimentó las bases para la física estadística y la mecánica cuántica.
Pero sin ir más allá para no contar todo el libro, lo recomiendo enormemente, tanto para los fanáticos hacia este genio incomprendido como a los que no lo conocen y más me enfoco en éstos últimos, porque sinceramente, este es el libro con el que todos deberían comenzar para adentrarse en otros textos que pueden ser más complejos, escritos por el propio Tesla. Los más conocidos son: “Mis inventos” y “Yo y la energía”. La opinión que se haga el lector la dejo a su propio criterio. La mía ciertamente, es absoluta fascinación.
Afortunadamente su figura ha vuelto a resurgir de forma considerable en esta última década, reconociendo su gran importancia y aporte como el inventor de la humanidad y por eso mismo he disfrutado mucho leyendo este libro que recibí la Navidad pasada y que también está maravillosamente escrito, porque permite entender de forma clara no solo la singular vida de este personaje, sino a que las partes más técnicas como la física e ingeniería adquieran un lenguaje más accesible (Reconociendo aquí que nunca fui ni he sido buena para las matemáticas o física, así que ha sido un milagro entender el funcionamiento de la mente de Tesla y el funcionamiento de sus inventos). Quizás como muchos, la primera vez que oí hablar de él fue en la película de Christopher Nolan, The Prestige, donde era interpretado por David Bowie, creo que nunca más olvidé esa icónica escena donde Tesla surgía a través de la electricidad, como si no fuese alguien de este mundo. Posteriormente aprendí a conocer más sobre él a través de otros medios, especialmente su rivalidad con Thomas Edison, lo que más se destaca al hablar sobre Tesla. Pero lo bueno de este libro es que no solamente se enfoca en la llamada Guerra de las Corrientes, sino que nos abre los ojos a que su contribución fue mucho más allá de la electricidad. Conocemos a un joven Tesla que siempre estuvo destinado a la ciencia, que desde joven cuestionó el funcionamiento mecánico del mundo en busca de una respuesta que fuera mucho más satisfactoria a su punto de vista. A un Tesla esclavo de sus obsesiones y escrúpulos que nunca pudo llamar a una persona por su nombre de pila, que no toleraba los colores vistosos en las mujeres que trabajaban para él y que por absoluta dedicación a la ciencia decidió no casarse, suprimiendo cualquier gusto o deseo por alguna mujer que se le cruzase en su camino y ciertamente mujeres no faltaron, porque a pesar de sus “rarezas” era un hombre muy educado y caballeroso. Como señala el libro, la gran actriz de la época, Sarah Bernhardt, tiró su pañuelo a su paso y él lo recogió devolviéndoselo sin ni siquiera mirarla. Había gente en ese tiempo que hubiese matado por el pañuelo de Bernhardt. Para Sara fue una ofensa, pero incluso así visitó su laboratorio en New York. Pero sin lugar a duda, el Tesla que más me sorprendió fue aquel que se atrevió a cuestionar y a oponerse a la Teoría de la Relatividad de Albert Einstein, teoría que cimentó las bases para la física estadística y la mecánica cuántica.
Pero sin ir más allá para no contar todo el libro, lo recomiendo enormemente, tanto para los fanáticos hacia este genio incomprendido como a los que no lo conocen y más me enfoco en éstos últimos, porque sinceramente, este es el libro con el que todos deberían comenzar para adentrarse en otros textos que pueden ser más complejos, escritos por el propio Tesla. Los más conocidos son: “Mis inventos” y “Yo y la energía”. La opinión que se haga el lector la dejo a su propio criterio. La mía ciertamente, es absoluta fascinación.
April 9, 2018
Review: Tesla – The Wizard of Electricity
© 2013 by David J. Kent Fall River Press
ISBN 978-1-4351-4297-8
I enjoyed this biography of Nikola Tesla immensely, and I really had no interest in Tesla until I read it. But I found it (and him) fascinating. The title is a take-off on Thomas Edison’s sobriquet “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” The two men were rivals from the day they met, and in the most important way, Nikola Tesla won. He made much of life today possible, by making the long distance transport of electricity feasible. But in the eyes of history, Nikola Tesla became, for want of a better word, a wizard rather than a scientist.
The first thing one notices about this book is the book. The visual treatment of the subject and the story is unique. At least a third of the page space in the book is taken up with excellent illustrations from publications of the day and excerpts of a comic book style “graphic biography” published in 1946 in “Real Heroes No. 16,” as well as “in his own words” comments and explanations from Tesla and others.
Biographies of famous and important people are often timeline driven and dry. Not so “Tesla – The Wizard of Electricity.” The story is eminently accessible, and that makes its subject accessible. The biographical information is presented more in the form of watersheds than of timeline, making for a significant bit of overlap, but clarifying the important aspects of the life of the man Tesla.
In this book, David Kent takes an easy reading style of writing to the mysteries that were Nikola Tesla, making for a truly fascinating read. In the process he humanizes the man who many of his own day, and in his own profession, dismissed as beyond eccentric, but a man who was also capable of astoundingly original inventive genius.
As the author points out, Tesla, having alienated Thomas Edison and discouraged most of his financial backers, found himself at the age of eighty-two trying to debate Albert Einstein in the press on the latter’s “idle speculation and false conceptions” that led to Einstein’s Special and General Theories of Relativity. There is some question as to whether Einstein ever acknowledged the challenge. Had they ever met, Tesla would likely have been better prepared to hold a conversation with Merlin. At least they were both acknowledged wizards.
Tesla suffered from at least two psychological disorders. He suffered from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and he was also beset by the constant onslaught of apparitions, so much so that as a child he would ask his sister if she saw what he did. Later he channeled them into a way to view his imagined inventions in three-dimensions, as if they were projected in a hologram.
Finally, because of his genius, and his constant harping on the military applications of some of his larger scale inventions, upon his death the federal government confiscated all his records and papers. As a consequence, Tesla’s death spawned enough conspiracy theories to fill volumes (and continues to do so). As a public service, Mr. Kent has disposed of a couple of the more egregious at the end of this book.
© 2013 by David J. Kent Fall River Press
ISBN 978-1-4351-4297-8
I enjoyed this biography of Nikola Tesla immensely, and I really had no interest in Tesla until I read it. But I found it (and him) fascinating. The title is a take-off on Thomas Edison’s sobriquet “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” The two men were rivals from the day they met, and in the most important way, Nikola Tesla won. He made much of life today possible, by making the long distance transport of electricity feasible. But in the eyes of history, Nikola Tesla became, for want of a better word, a wizard rather than a scientist.
The first thing one notices about this book is the book. The visual treatment of the subject and the story is unique. At least a third of the page space in the book is taken up with excellent illustrations from publications of the day and excerpts of a comic book style “graphic biography” published in 1946 in “Real Heroes No. 16,” as well as “in his own words” comments and explanations from Tesla and others.
Biographies of famous and important people are often timeline driven and dry. Not so “Tesla – The Wizard of Electricity.” The story is eminently accessible, and that makes its subject accessible. The biographical information is presented more in the form of watersheds than of timeline, making for a significant bit of overlap, but clarifying the important aspects of the life of the man Tesla.
In this book, David Kent takes an easy reading style of writing to the mysteries that were Nikola Tesla, making for a truly fascinating read. In the process he humanizes the man who many of his own day, and in his own profession, dismissed as beyond eccentric, but a man who was also capable of astoundingly original inventive genius.
As the author points out, Tesla, having alienated Thomas Edison and discouraged most of his financial backers, found himself at the age of eighty-two trying to debate Albert Einstein in the press on the latter’s “idle speculation and false conceptions” that led to Einstein’s Special and General Theories of Relativity. There is some question as to whether Einstein ever acknowledged the challenge. Had they ever met, Tesla would likely have been better prepared to hold a conversation with Merlin. At least they were both acknowledged wizards.
Tesla suffered from at least two psychological disorders. He suffered from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and he was also beset by the constant onslaught of apparitions, so much so that as a child he would ask his sister if she saw what he did. Later he channeled them into a way to view his imagined inventions in three-dimensions, as if they were projected in a hologram.
Finally, because of his genius, and his constant harping on the military applications of some of his larger scale inventions, upon his death the federal government confiscated all his records and papers. As a consequence, Tesla’s death spawned enough conspiracy theories to fill volumes (and continues to do so). As a public service, Mr. Kent has disposed of a couple of the more egregious at the end of this book.
April 22, 2016
The book is designed to appeal to general readers with a wide range of interests.
Like thrilling personality insights? The book is chock full of interesting stories on Tesla from his “100-bug-powered” windmills as a youth to his practical jokes on Mark Twain in his heyday to his dispute with Einstein as he entered his twilight years.
Into graphic novels? Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity includes many historical comics and photos to spotlight key events and figures in Tesla’s spectacular life. The book is an amazing visual experience.
An invention buff? The book captures the prolific inventive mind of Nikola Tesla and how many of his inventions were so far ahead of their time that we are still today relying on his patents for new discoveries.
Turned on by conflict and tension? Tesla’s life can be summed up by one of my chapter titles: “A Man Always at War.” Delve into the complex relationships he had with Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Guglielmo Marconi, J.P. Morgan, and others that were sometimes colleagues, and sometimes rivals.
Prefer serious historical biography? Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity traces the great man’s life from his childhood in the military frontier, through his schooling and employment in the grand capitals of Europe, to his tumultuous, yet most productive, years in New York City, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Niagara Falls.
In short, the book provides insights into a man who has been largely ignored by history despite his huge contributions to modern life. A man who over 100 years ago anticipated that one day we would all be carrying around hand-held devices capable of instant communication across vast distances. Who a century ago promoted and developed renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels. A man who left us a legacy that is just now being rediscovered by scientists, the public, and perhaps most ironically, pop culture.
Join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla. Spread the word.
Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity is available exclusively in Barnes and Noble stores and online at barnesandnoble.com (and BN.com). See my website at www.davidjkent-writer.com for ordering information.
Like thrilling personality insights? The book is chock full of interesting stories on Tesla from his “100-bug-powered” windmills as a youth to his practical jokes on Mark Twain in his heyday to his dispute with Einstein as he entered his twilight years.
Into graphic novels? Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity includes many historical comics and photos to spotlight key events and figures in Tesla’s spectacular life. The book is an amazing visual experience.
An invention buff? The book captures the prolific inventive mind of Nikola Tesla and how many of his inventions were so far ahead of their time that we are still today relying on his patents for new discoveries.
Turned on by conflict and tension? Tesla’s life can be summed up by one of my chapter titles: “A Man Always at War.” Delve into the complex relationships he had with Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Guglielmo Marconi, J.P. Morgan, and others that were sometimes colleagues, and sometimes rivals.
Prefer serious historical biography? Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity traces the great man’s life from his childhood in the military frontier, through his schooling and employment in the grand capitals of Europe, to his tumultuous, yet most productive, years in New York City, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Niagara Falls.
In short, the book provides insights into a man who has been largely ignored by history despite his huge contributions to modern life. A man who over 100 years ago anticipated that one day we would all be carrying around hand-held devices capable of instant communication across vast distances. Who a century ago promoted and developed renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels. A man who left us a legacy that is just now being rediscovered by scientists, the public, and perhaps most ironically, pop culture.
Join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla. Spread the word.
Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity is available exclusively in Barnes and Noble stores and online at barnesandnoble.com (and BN.com). See my website at www.davidjkent-writer.com for ordering information.
May 9, 2019
Nikola Tesla is a fascinating individual who changed the American and World way of life in the early 20th Century. He emigrated from Serbia to the United States after attending University training in Europe. He arrived and found a job with Thomas Edison. Edison said of him ‘that he was the hardest worker he had ever seen.” However, Edison took credit for inventions done by his employees. Also Edison was promoting an electricity provider using direct current. Tesla, had conceived of a using alternating current to provide energy. Edison dismissed Tesla’s idea.
Tesla left Edison and joined Edison’s competitor George Westinghouse. Westinghouse readily accepted Tesla’s idea of alternating current. Edison went on smear campaign to discredit alternating current. He electrocuted dogs using alternating current to show that it was too dangerous to use. The problem with direct current electricity is that it can only travel about one mile. So every block need a generator to produce it. Alternating current could travel from long distances. So one Generator could supply at whole city. Of course, we all benefited from the use of alternating current that we use today, thanks to Nikola Tesla.
Tesla was an odd man. He always dressed impeccably. He liked things divisible by 3. For example, he always had 12 napkins. 4 x 3 =12. He also loved pigeons. He even called one his girlfriend.
However, his list of inventions is enormous. He is credited with inventing an improved loud speaker for telephones, rotating magnetic fields, dynamos and transformers, the hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls, wireless telegraphy, Vacuum tubes, radar, bladeless turbines to name just a few.
He died Jan 1943 in the New Yorker Hotel room 3327 (of course divisible by 3).
Nikola Tesla should be appreciated by mankind because alternating current made life a whole lot easier.
Tesla left Edison and joined Edison’s competitor George Westinghouse. Westinghouse readily accepted Tesla’s idea of alternating current. Edison went on smear campaign to discredit alternating current. He electrocuted dogs using alternating current to show that it was too dangerous to use. The problem with direct current electricity is that it can only travel about one mile. So every block need a generator to produce it. Alternating current could travel from long distances. So one Generator could supply at whole city. Of course, we all benefited from the use of alternating current that we use today, thanks to Nikola Tesla.
Tesla was an odd man. He always dressed impeccably. He liked things divisible by 3. For example, he always had 12 napkins. 4 x 3 =12. He also loved pigeons. He even called one his girlfriend.
However, his list of inventions is enormous. He is credited with inventing an improved loud speaker for telephones, rotating magnetic fields, dynamos and transformers, the hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls, wireless telegraphy, Vacuum tubes, radar, bladeless turbines to name just a few.
He died Jan 1943 in the New Yorker Hotel room 3327 (of course divisible by 3).
Nikola Tesla should be appreciated by mankind because alternating current made life a whole lot easier.
April 1, 2020
A wonderful book, beautifully illustrated and covers the most important events of Nikola Tesla's life. He was an incredible visionary, far ahead of his time and it is a shame so many people don't remember him. Edison is known for "inventing the light-bulb" (which is also not entirely correct), whilst Tesla made a far more greater invention: that of alternating current (which is what we all use nowadays). Besides that Tesla made many more remarkable innovations (tesla spoils, alternating current, rotating magnetic field, tesla turbine, the radio and the magnifying transmitter just to name a few). Even the radio which is said to be invented by Marconi is actually Tesla's idea. I found it extremely interesting to find out more about who he was as a person. He had a very strange and unconventional life, few social connections, no women and difficult relationships in general. At times he is depicted as an insane workaholic who stops at nothing until he gets the job done and I greatly admire that. Tesla is the perfect example of a true scientist; he cared about his work, not money. It is a shame however that this characteristic caused him to (excuse my language here but it really is true) get screwed over by various people on different occasions.
I am from Serbia (as was Tesla) and I believe that that is the only place where he gets the credit for all of his amazing accomplishments. More schools should teach students about him and books like this definitely help us to remember this brilliant and unique man who had a vision far beyond the present day.
I am from Serbia (as was Tesla) and I believe that that is the only place where he gets the credit for all of his amazing accomplishments. More schools should teach students about him and books like this definitely help us to remember this brilliant and unique man who had a vision far beyond the present day.
June 30, 2013
A great book!
I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication copy of this wonderful book on Nikola Tesla. Mr.Tesla is one of the greatest inventors in history, yet many people have never heard of him. This book does a wonderful job of introducing this eccentric genius to the general public - his upbringing and talents, his ideas and inventions, his unique and weird personality, his life from start to finish.
The well written fluid text combined with various photos and illustrations are very effective in bringing Tesla the person to life. I hardly knew anything about him when I started, and felt I really knew this fascinating person when I finished. The whole reading experience was highly enjoyable.
This book would be a perfect gift to anyone (especially the young generation) who is interested in science and scientists, inventions and modern technology. I can say without hesitation that Nikola Tesla, brought alive by this book, will inspire followers from all over the world for many years to come.
I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication copy of this wonderful book on Nikola Tesla. Mr.Tesla is one of the greatest inventors in history, yet many people have never heard of him. This book does a wonderful job of introducing this eccentric genius to the general public - his upbringing and talents, his ideas and inventions, his unique and weird personality, his life from start to finish.
The well written fluid text combined with various photos and illustrations are very effective in bringing Tesla the person to life. I hardly knew anything about him when I started, and felt I really knew this fascinating person when I finished. The whole reading experience was highly enjoyable.
This book would be a perfect gift to anyone (especially the young generation) who is interested in science and scientists, inventions and modern technology. I can say without hesitation that Nikola Tesla, brought alive by this book, will inspire followers from all over the world for many years to come.
April 15, 2017
Unterhaltsame, aber nicht stark ihn die Tiefe gehende Einsteiger-Biographie über den legendären Erfinder. Wer detaillierte Erkenntnisse zu Teslas Forschungen und Entdeckungen erwartet, wird hier eher enttäuscht, hier geht's stärker um den Menschen Tesla, seine Eigenheiten, Marotten, natürlich auch seine Erfindungen, aber nicht um technische und wissenschaftliche Fachfragen. Reichhaltig illustriert, insgesamt sehr schön aufgemacht, und insgesamt ein guter Ansatzpunkt für Tesla-Newbies.
January 29, 2021
Das Buch besticht mit einer wunderschönen Aufmachung; viele Bilder, Zeitungsausschnitte, hervorgehoben Zitate etc. Der Inhalt ist allerdings etwas mau (durch die vielen Bilder gibt es auch kaum Text) und für jeden, der Teslas Autobiografie sowieso ein Basiswerk über den Erfinder gelesen hat, wird hier nichts neues mehr finden. Trotzdem eine schöne Idee für alle, die Nikola Tesla noch kennen lernen wollen.
October 13, 2021
It is a very good book to give you an overview of this underrated genius for many years. It gives you details of his life and the inventions he created and the injustices he experienced. Also the images are great but if you want to know in depth his inventions and the engineering behind them this book is not the best but .
March 8, 2022
If you’re either a fan of Nikola Tesla, or wanting to learn about the man and his brilliant inventive career then this is the right book. There are image reproductions and pieces of his own writing throughout the book.
January 21, 2021
Enorm leuk om in chronologische volgorde en met veel beeldmateriaal (foto's van Tesla zelf, foto's van zuin uitvindingen, tekeningen van zijn uitvindingen, etc) de levensweg van Tesla te volgen. Leuk geschreven en ookal lijkt het op het eerste zicht een kinderboek, is het ook voor volwassenen.
May 25, 2016
A fascinating book, I highly recommend it to those, interested in Nikola Tesla´s biography! I really liked it, especially in german!
April 4, 2020
Nikola Tesla was één van de meest fascinerende figuren in de fysica van het begin van de 20ste eeuw. Zijn bijdragen tot wat tegenwoordig techniek zou worden genoemd is niet te onderschatten. Aangezien de onderliggende fysische theorieën in die tijd nog niet ten gronde gekend waren, droeg hij zeker ook bij tot de ontwikkeling van de fundamentele fysica. Alleen heeft de geschiedenis hem na zijn dood uit het oog verloren. Voornamelijk omdat hij de wetenschap belangrijker vond dan de economische exploitatie van zijn ideeën. Gelukkig is daar de laatste jaren verandering in gekomen en krijgt hij eindelijk de erkenning die hij verdient. Kent vertelt zijn levensloop chronologisch en het boek gaat nooit vervelen. Dit heeft enerzijds te maken met de gezwinde vertelstijl van de schrijver maar anderzijds zeker ook met de fantastische lay-out van het boek. Op het eerste gezicht lijkt het nogal rommelig maar niets is minder waar. De afwisselende typografie en bladspiegel alleen al maken dit boek het lezen waard. Zelden zo gefascineerd geweest door dat aspect van een boek.
June 4, 2018
Very well done book - a eye appealing compilation of photos, graphic images and text on interesting backgrounds. It is not a fast read, but you could peruse certain chapters to find the areas you wanted. I thought the whole book was quite amazing, learning things about Tesla that I did not know. I appreciated the levels of detail. I could not fully grasp the diagrams of his inventions, but for others that would have been just what they needed to understand. The scope of his ideas and inventions were years beyond anyone else. It is a shame that even today he does not receive the credit for those ideas that were stolen from him and used by others to create the items that Tesla had fleshed out and shared with them.
May 21, 2018
This is an amazing life story of a mad scientist. Kent presented amazing references and didn't leave even conspiracy theories. It is really unfortunate to have a brilliant scientist who has to limit his potential because of inadequate funds, and lack of knowledge how to commercialize his inventions.
I learned loads from this book, I have no idea the clash between him and Marconi and that the radio's original idea was Tesla's. Also his helicopter-planes designs and his X-rays, I have no idea prior to reading this book that Tesla had thought and worked on them before their release.
I learned loads from this book, I have no idea the clash between him and Marconi and that the radio's original idea was Tesla's. Also his helicopter-planes designs and his X-rays, I have no idea prior to reading this book that Tesla had thought and worked on them before their release.
July 8, 2017
Nikola Tesla is my stepdad's favourite person, and this is the book he recommended when I asked him for one (nothing too technical). A good, comprehensive overview of him and his life, and I know a bit more than I did only watching PBS programs.
While I generally prefer reading books without so many graphics and pictures, stylistically the book is rather nice, and reproductions of Tesla's mentions and features in print was a great accompaniment to the text.
While I generally prefer reading books without so many graphics and pictures, stylistically the book is rather nice, and reproductions of Tesla's mentions and features in print was a great accompaniment to the text.
April 4, 2018
This was a very interesting read. It contains many interesting pieces of information and it is easy to understand what the author is trying to say. It not only includes the story of his life it also includes some theories that people have had about him. Also, it has a full list of his inventions and ideas. Lastly, it includes some of the effects he has indirectly had on the world. Overall, it is a good read and I would definitely recommend reading this book.
June 25, 2018
Back in college, I took an American Inventors history class. Edison was my favorite, but there was barely a footnote about Tesla. I learned about him with E Musk utilizing the name. Prior to that, I was most familiar with Tesla as an unit of measurement! This was a fascinating, easy read. Makes me proud to have Tesla solar panels on our roof!
I enjoyed the photos, newspaper clips, acknowledgement of pop culture.
An author's job is to engage his audience -- well done.
I enjoyed the photos, newspaper clips, acknowledgement of pop culture.
An author's job is to engage his audience -- well done.
June 16, 2017
Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity is a great biography focusing on one of my personal heroes, Nikola Tesla. David J. Kent does a great job on describing everything that Tesla faced throughout his life, including people trying to discourage him, and him continuing to prove them wrong by creating the invention they said was impossible. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biographies, or has a great love for science. The most interesting part was when Tesla's first inventions were described - his waterwheel created when he was very very young.
August 1, 2018
Lots of photos and drawings in this book. It is 250 pages but because of all the graphics it reads as half the length. This would be a great book in a Jr. High library to get kids interested in Tesla.
January 16, 2020
An excellent insight into an incredible mind. This book was designed in a fun way, with lots of historical pictures, documents, and articles scattered throughout. It was very detailed in its analysis of his life and his works and taught me so much about how he influenced our lives today.
May 25, 2017
More people need to know who Nicola Tesla is and this is a great book to introduce him to those people.
March 23, 2019
Nikola Tesla was such an interesting character! A genius, obsessive-compulsive, often solved problems through visions, hardly slept, spoke 8 languages. A fascinating man!
September 12, 2018
A nice review of Nikola Tesla's life, with plenty of interesting images.
April 19, 2020
Kent does a great job of providing a broad overview of Tesla's life and major accomplishments. It's very pro-Tesla in terms of defending him, but admits that his flaws and oddities put him in many positions that allowed him exploited. The book jumps around a little in his life and I feel like some aspects were talked about several times, but I appreciated the simplicity of the book and the fun of it. As an electrical engineer, it really let me see one of the legends in my art in an entirely new light.
February 13, 2021
Interesante por las fotos, algunas de ellas inéditas. En cuanto a la descripción de la vida de Tesla todo es muy superficial ahondando poco.
Bueno como introducción al inventor pero no como biografía.
Bueno como introducción al inventor pero no como biografía.
November 16, 2022
A pleasant surprise: good content and high-quality materials. I'm going to keep this book a long time I think
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