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The Secret History of the World #3
Wardenclyffe
Excerpt from the editorial in The Journal of New Historical Perspectives, Vol. 3, #4, 2011:
On the night of July 15, 1903, Nikola Tesla powered up his 190-foot tower in Wardenclyffe on Long Island's north shore. The bolts of energy radiating from the apical dome were visible as far away as New Haven, Connecticut. This was the first and last time anyone would witness such a display. Three years later, broke and unable to secure further funding, Tesla abandoned the Wardenclyffe tower and his dream of worldwide wireless power. He returned to Manhattan where he promptly suffered a nervous breakdown.
So say the history books.
But new evidence has surfaced that a shadowy fraternal order stepped in and provided generous funding after J. P. Morgan reneged. Witnesses state that testing of the tower continued but only on foggy days when the discharges would not be noticed. The final test took place on April 18, 1906. Around dawn, in heavy fog, the tower was charged to maximum capacity; across the Atlantic, in Abereiddy, Wales, two copper prongs attached to a 50-watt lightbulb were thrust into the ground. The bulb lit. Tesla had proved that worldwide wireless power was possible.
Why then, at the moment of his greatest vindication, did Nikola Tesla abandon his project? What could possibly have transpired at Wardenclyffe that day to so rattle him that he would deny the world his transformative technology? We may never know.
On the night of July 15, 1903, Nikola Tesla powered up his 190-foot tower in Wardenclyffe on Long Island's north shore. The bolts of energy radiating from the apical dome were visible as far away as New Haven, Connecticut. This was the first and last time anyone would witness such a display. Three years later, broke and unable to secure further funding, Tesla abandoned the Wardenclyffe tower and his dream of worldwide wireless power. He returned to Manhattan where he promptly suffered a nervous breakdown.
So say the history books.
But new evidence has surfaced that a shadowy fraternal order stepped in and provided generous funding after J. P. Morgan reneged. Witnesses state that testing of the tower continued but only on foggy days when the discharges would not be noticed. The final test took place on April 18, 1906. Around dawn, in heavy fog, the tower was charged to maximum capacity; across the Atlantic, in Abereiddy, Wales, two copper prongs attached to a 50-watt lightbulb were thrust into the ground. The bulb lit. Tesla had proved that worldwide wireless power was possible.
Why then, at the moment of his greatest vindication, did Nikola Tesla abandon his project? What could possibly have transpired at Wardenclyffe that day to so rattle him that he would deny the world his transformative technology? We may never know.
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2018
67 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
F. Paul Wilson
421 books1,995 followersFrancis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 9, 2018
First, an admission - I don't know much about Nikola Tesla beyond the very basic gist that he developed a motor that worked on alternating current. Sadly, most of my familiarity with the man is through pop culture references, like David Bowie's portrayal of the man in Christopher Nolan's excellent movie, The Prestige, and, I think, an Assassin's Creed game or two. But, tell me you've got a cosmic horror novella with Tesla at the center of it all, and damnit, I want in! While I can't vouch for the historical accuracy of F. Paul Wilson's Wardenclyffe, I can confirm it's one hell of an electrifying work of cosmic horror.
Having left his experimental station in Colorado Springs, Tesla has established a new facility, Wardenclyffe, in Long Island. His aim is to deliver to the world a radical new technology that will forever change the face of mankind - wireless power. By using the Earth itself as a conductor, the futurist believes he can deliver electricity all across the globe. Strange occurrences in the region surrounding Wardenclyffe, though, begin to arise, corresponding exactly with Tesla's experimental tests, unleashing something dark and ancient, and not of this earth.
I'm a bit loathe to admit it, but Wardenclyffe is my first exposure to the work of F. Paul Wilson. I can guarantee it will not be the last, and I'll soon be on the search for a reading guide that will help me explore his labyrinthine Secret History of the World. I good and truly dug the concepts Wilson injects here, using Tesla's work to bring in a secret society alongside the rich elements of horror.
On the horror front, there were a few scenes that actually gave me chills. As Tesla's associate, Charlie, begins to explore the odd happenings congruent to their work at Wardenclyffe, Wilson plumbs the depths of terror, building a lovely well of tension that puts a wonderfully intriguing spin on Tesla's work and the horrific implications of what his success could bring. Tesla's a futurist and believes his work can ultimately benefit humanity, changing the world for the better - but, what if he's wrong? Examining Tesla's work as one of folly, stumbling blindly into forces heretofore entirely unimaginable, Wilson absolutely nails the frightening power of the unknown.
I also have to applaud Wilson for his inclusion of a diverse voice here in the form of Charlie. Charlie isn't the heteronormative man we're so used to seeing in horror fiction. Wilson frames the central narrative of Wardenclyffe, which occurs in 1903-1906, around later encounters between Charlie and Tesla in 1937 and 1943. These latter time periods allow for a good bit of social commentary on Charlie's place in the world, particularly a world that sees the Nazis growing in power, and the lengths he's been forced to go to in order to hide his secret. Charlie hopes that one day those like him will be able to live openly and freely, without worries of persecution. In too many ways, we're still waiting for such a day to arrive but, like Charlie, we must remain optimistic. Just as Tesla hopes to invigorate the world with scientific breakthroughs to better mankind, Charlie hopes, too, that the world will better itself through basic human decency and understanding. Like Charlie, I don't honestly expect this to occur in my lifetime, but maybe, hopefully, someday.
Having left his experimental station in Colorado Springs, Tesla has established a new facility, Wardenclyffe, in Long Island. His aim is to deliver to the world a radical new technology that will forever change the face of mankind - wireless power. By using the Earth itself as a conductor, the futurist believes he can deliver electricity all across the globe. Strange occurrences in the region surrounding Wardenclyffe, though, begin to arise, corresponding exactly with Tesla's experimental tests, unleashing something dark and ancient, and not of this earth.
I'm a bit loathe to admit it, but Wardenclyffe is my first exposure to the work of F. Paul Wilson. I can guarantee it will not be the last, and I'll soon be on the search for a reading guide that will help me explore his labyrinthine Secret History of the World. I good and truly dug the concepts Wilson injects here, using Tesla's work to bring in a secret society alongside the rich elements of horror.
On the horror front, there were a few scenes that actually gave me chills. As Tesla's associate, Charlie, begins to explore the odd happenings congruent to their work at Wardenclyffe, Wilson plumbs the depths of terror, building a lovely well of tension that puts a wonderfully intriguing spin on Tesla's work and the horrific implications of what his success could bring. Tesla's a futurist and believes his work can ultimately benefit humanity, changing the world for the better - but, what if he's wrong? Examining Tesla's work as one of folly, stumbling blindly into forces heretofore entirely unimaginable, Wilson absolutely nails the frightening power of the unknown.
I also have to applaud Wilson for his inclusion of a diverse voice here in the form of Charlie. Charlie isn't the heteronormative man we're so used to seeing in horror fiction. Wilson frames the central narrative of Wardenclyffe, which occurs in 1903-1906, around later encounters between Charlie and Tesla in 1937 and 1943. These latter time periods allow for a good bit of social commentary on Charlie's place in the world, particularly a world that sees the Nazis growing in power, and the lengths he's been forced to go to in order to hide his secret. Charlie hopes that one day those like him will be able to live openly and freely, without worries of persecution. In too many ways, we're still waiting for such a day to arrive but, like Charlie, we must remain optimistic. Just as Tesla hopes to invigorate the world with scientific breakthroughs to better mankind, Charlie hopes, too, that the world will better itself through basic human decency and understanding. Like Charlie, I don't honestly expect this to occur in my lifetime, but maybe, hopefully, someday.
January 12, 2024
2.25/5
Heavily inspired by Lovecraft but way too meandering for my taste.
Heavily inspired by Lovecraft but way too meandering for my taste.
December 22, 2020
3.5
Solid if not spectacular, but barrels along very quickly. Some great ideas and well executed. A decent read. The flip side of such a short sharp book is actually missing some bits being fleshed out, and it is quite predictable.
Solid if not spectacular, but barrels along very quickly. Some great ideas and well executed. A decent read. The flip side of such a short sharp book is actually missing some bits being fleshed out, and it is quite predictable.
January 31, 2025
Nikola Tesla was right up there with Thomas Edison around the turn of the century. The battle of AC current versus DC has been well documented, with Edison using his political clout to best Tesla, so much so, it was rumored to have set Tesla into a downward spiral, ultimately ending in a nervous breakdown. But what if it was something else, something from one of his experiments, that so deeply disturbed him, sending him into exile afraid of his own shadow? No one really has a firm grasp of what happened during his experiments out on Long Island at his Wardenclyffe lab. The consensus has always been he ran out of funding, causing him to board everything up. But what if that was a simple explanation, he allowed to be the narrative, instead of the horrifying truth?
Historical Fiction has always been Wilson’s strong suit. The man uses events from the past and adds his own warped twist to ratchet the story up to ten. Wardenclyffe is a prime example. I’ve always found Tesla’s story equal parts interesting and heartbreaking, another example of the underdog genius getting stomped under by the boot of the rich and powerful. Wilson takes this tragic character and throws in a healthy dose of Lovecraft to flip the story on its proverbial head. Love it.
4.5 Tentacles out of 5
Historical Fiction has always been Wilson’s strong suit. The man uses events from the past and adds his own warped twist to ratchet the story up to ten. Wardenclyffe is a prime example. I’ve always found Tesla’s story equal parts interesting and heartbreaking, another example of the underdog genius getting stomped under by the boot of the rich and powerful. Wilson takes this tragic character and throws in a healthy dose of Lovecraft to flip the story on its proverbial head. Love it.
4.5 Tentacles out of 5
July 23, 2020
I loved this story. Everything you’re looking for in an F. Paul Wilson book. An excellent addition to his secret history of the world
April 6, 2021
Interesting take on why Nikola Tesla suddenly abandoned his work at Wardenclyffe. Great read although it was too few pages in my opinion. But sometimes less is more.
May 27, 2023
2.5
Required reading orgin-story for how this universe is the way it is.
Required reading orgin-story for how this universe is the way it is.
February 24, 2022
Well, this was a nice little surprise! Very rarely I find cosmic horror done with just the right amount of dread and revelation. Reveal too much, and the horror of the unknown loses its dread factor. Reveal too little, and it becomes a bit of a bore to read. But this novella - thankfully - has all the things perfectly balanced.
I have already read The Keep, and now after reading this book, I will try to read more from the author's The Secret History of the World.
February 26, 2019
It's time for a return to the Secret History of the World by the iconic Dr. Wilson.That should be enough reason to pick up this short novel about the plant where Nicola Tesla conducted some of his most dangerous experiments. This should serve as an appetizer to the return of Repairman Jack sometime in the very near future (yes, it's actually happening). For the many fans of both Jack and the Adversary Cycle, Easter eggs abound everywhere, adding to what is a thrilling story on its own.
Set on Wardenclyffe, Long Island, Charles Atkinson begins an internship for the enigmatic inventor, choosing to forgo a lucrative job at General Electric for a shot to make history. Charles carries a secret from England that is kept hidden from society, one that changes the dynamic of a character who could have been a mere bystander in this story to one with great depth. Tesla has plans for a worldwide wireless energy source that unfortunately
has run out of funding. The strange Tesla has trudged onward, hoping for a savior to help him after the criminal acts of Thomas Edison. His attempts incur some strange and dangerous results, such as fish jumping out of the river to their deaths and the disappearance of other animals while succeeding in lighting up bulbs several miles away.
Yet, for those familiar with the otherworldly forces in the Adversary series can sense that the experiments just might open up something much more dangerous than corrupt businessmen. Beneath the tower, something has come forth, something that threatens to alter fate of humanity.
Enter the mysterious Rudolf Drexler, representative of the Septimus Order, an ancient organization that has its tendrils in the mechanisms of major events in the scope of human history. He offers Tesla everything he needs to succeed - for a price. When the inventor accepts, the experiments lurch forward in dark steps as Charles seeks to find how devastating the efforts are. Something has crept forth from beyond. Something that is changing everyone who ventures near the tear beneath the tower.
What results is a thriller that is a welcome addition to the canon of F. Paul Wilson, a tale that will enthrall fans of The Keep and Nightworld, whetting the appetites of those jonesing for the return of readers' favorite Jack.
Set on Wardenclyffe, Long Island, Charles Atkinson begins an internship for the enigmatic inventor, choosing to forgo a lucrative job at General Electric for a shot to make history. Charles carries a secret from England that is kept hidden from society, one that changes the dynamic of a character who could have been a mere bystander in this story to one with great depth. Tesla has plans for a worldwide wireless energy source that unfortunately
has run out of funding. The strange Tesla has trudged onward, hoping for a savior to help him after the criminal acts of Thomas Edison. His attempts incur some strange and dangerous results, such as fish jumping out of the river to their deaths and the disappearance of other animals while succeeding in lighting up bulbs several miles away.
Yet, for those familiar with the otherworldly forces in the Adversary series can sense that the experiments just might open up something much more dangerous than corrupt businessmen. Beneath the tower, something has come forth, something that threatens to alter fate of humanity.
Enter the mysterious Rudolf Drexler, representative of the Septimus Order, an ancient organization that has its tendrils in the mechanisms of major events in the scope of human history. He offers Tesla everything he needs to succeed - for a price. When the inventor accepts, the experiments lurch forward in dark steps as Charles seeks to find how devastating the efforts are. Something has crept forth from beyond. Something that is changing everyone who ventures near the tear beneath the tower.
What results is a thriller that is a welcome addition to the canon of F. Paul Wilson, a tale that will enthrall fans of The Keep and Nightworld, whetting the appetites of those jonesing for the return of readers' favorite Jack.
May 29, 2019
A quick read in historical fiction splashed with Lovecraftian horror. Wilson writes with an authority few authors can.
March 7, 2019
The year is 1903. The "Electric Wars" between Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla have seen their peak and, for the most part have subsided into the background of time with Tesla winning a major battle as his process of alternating currents has won out over Edison's direct current.
Now, Tesla wants to turn his brilliant mind to the one theory he has not been able to turn into reality. Wireless power...! Using the Earth itself to carry broadcast power to every corner of the world. To accomplish that goal he has brought his genius to Wardenclyffe in the wilds of New York.
Enter Charles Atkinson. A young, newly minted Electrical Engineer from the halls of MIT who, through an almost freakish bit of good luck, ends up being hired by Tesla himself to work on the super-secret project...a young man who has an incredible secret of his own.
As Charles begins his apprenticeship, the project seems to be caught in the middle of some type of strange phenomenon. A caretaker who suffers burns over his body...while in water. Hundreds of fish, thrown out of the sound and stranded on the beach, left to die gasping for air. A barn that "flakes away" and disappears into thin air. No one has pointed fingers at the project...yet. But these strange occurrences are beginning to escalate and Charles begins to feel that there is something...wrong.
F. Paul Wilson has created the marvelous landscape of the Secret History of the World and has dropped this, his latest, directly into its depths. Inside are all those elements that makes his stories so terrifying...Old enemies...terrifying monsters...the seeds of future conflict...and so much more. Wilson once again, grabs your fears and rips them to the surface as he drives his characters through a story that will be another benchmark in the Secret Histories universe.
For those of you who are familiar with F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack series of books...and have been missing the feel and excitement of those stories...this one is absolutely for you.
Now, Tesla wants to turn his brilliant mind to the one theory he has not been able to turn into reality. Wireless power...! Using the Earth itself to carry broadcast power to every corner of the world. To accomplish that goal he has brought his genius to Wardenclyffe in the wilds of New York.
Enter Charles Atkinson. A young, newly minted Electrical Engineer from the halls of MIT who, through an almost freakish bit of good luck, ends up being hired by Tesla himself to work on the super-secret project...a young man who has an incredible secret of his own.
As Charles begins his apprenticeship, the project seems to be caught in the middle of some type of strange phenomenon. A caretaker who suffers burns over his body...while in water. Hundreds of fish, thrown out of the sound and stranded on the beach, left to die gasping for air. A barn that "flakes away" and disappears into thin air. No one has pointed fingers at the project...yet. But these strange occurrences are beginning to escalate and Charles begins to feel that there is something...wrong.
F. Paul Wilson has created the marvelous landscape of the Secret History of the World and has dropped this, his latest, directly into its depths. Inside are all those elements that makes his stories so terrifying...Old enemies...terrifying monsters...the seeds of future conflict...and so much more. Wilson once again, grabs your fears and rips them to the surface as he drives his characters through a story that will be another benchmark in the Secret Histories universe.
For those of you who are familiar with F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack series of books...and have been missing the feel and excitement of those stories...this one is absolutely for you.
January 30, 2019
WARDENCLYFFE is the name of a new novella (144 pages) from sci-fi/horror master F. Paul Wilson. It is also the name of the Long Island site of one of Tesla's last famous experiments in wireless transmission of electricity. There is a great deal of historical verisimilitude in FPW's take on what really happened in the early 1900s at Wardenclyffe, as told by Charles, a most unusual 25 year old MIT graduate, in Electrical Engineering who wants to work for the great genius, Tesla.
The early experiments are successful, but Charles discovers that several extremely bizarre occurrences happened simultaneous with each of the first 3 tests. These were all at different places in the general area around Wardenclyffe and all quite different, but Charles can't shake the feeling that they are somehow related to the tests. When Rudolph Drexler of the Septimus Organization shows up early on, long time fans of FPW will instantly recognize the name and organization and know to buckle up, because we are about to learn more about the Secret History of the World, an overarching mythology at the basis of Wilson's most famous and successful series, THE ADVERSARY CYCLE and all the REPAIRMAN JACK stories (and more).
It was a treat to see more of the Secret History and some characters and things from beyond our dimension that will play major roles in events in the two series cited above. The novella is compact and moves briskly. FPW also manages to include some commentary on what has become a major social issue today, some 120 years after the events of the novella. This is handled as an early surprising reveal, and with taste and tact.
I had just finished what I thought was FPW's latest work (THE VOID PROTOCOL) and only noticed WARDENCLYFFE as I sat down to write a review of the former. FPW continues to fascinate and amaze. He hasn't lost a step in the last 35 years.
Highly Recommended.
JM Tepper
The early experiments are successful, but Charles discovers that several extremely bizarre occurrences happened simultaneous with each of the first 3 tests. These were all at different places in the general area around Wardenclyffe and all quite different, but Charles can't shake the feeling that they are somehow related to the tests. When Rudolph Drexler of the Septimus Organization shows up early on, long time fans of FPW will instantly recognize the name and organization and know to buckle up, because we are about to learn more about the Secret History of the World, an overarching mythology at the basis of Wilson's most famous and successful series, THE ADVERSARY CYCLE and all the REPAIRMAN JACK stories (and more).
It was a treat to see more of the Secret History and some characters and things from beyond our dimension that will play major roles in events in the two series cited above. The novella is compact and moves briskly. FPW also manages to include some commentary on what has become a major social issue today, some 120 years after the events of the novella. This is handled as an early surprising reveal, and with taste and tact.
I had just finished what I thought was FPW's latest work (THE VOID PROTOCOL) and only noticed WARDENCLYFFE as I sat down to write a review of the former. FPW continues to fascinate and amaze. He hasn't lost a step in the last 35 years.
Highly Recommended.
JM Tepper
September 3, 2023
In Wardenclyffe, F. Paul Wilson mixes historical fiction with his own world of the Secret Histories and a touch of Lovecraftian horror. Charles, narrator for the story, tells of how as a young man fresh out of MIT he happened across Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower and experiments at establishing wireless transmission. Giving up an opportunity with GE, Charles begs his way into Tesla's world to help with the endeavors. Though they seem to working, those experiments soon show possible negative affects on the area surrounding Wardenclyffe. As costs rise and funds run out, Tesla soon finds his work being funded by none other than the Septimus Order, infamouns throughout Wilson's "world." As the tests become more successful, the breaching of the "Veil" becomes more evident, and possibility of doom becomes greater.
Only Wilson could manage such a deft job of working Tesla's famous failed experiment into his broader world of the Secret Histories, and come up with the "real" explanation for why it was ultimately shut down. For fans of the Secret Histories, this is a must read, and is still equally enjoyable by anyone.
Only Wilson could manage such a deft job of working Tesla's famous failed experiment into his broader world of the Secret Histories, and come up with the "real" explanation for why it was ultimately shut down. For fans of the Secret Histories, this is a must read, and is still equally enjoyable by anyone.
May 15, 2022
An interesting read, but only peripherally part of the Secret History, though there were some hints that do speak of characters and situations in some of the other books. I do like how Tesla’s history was folded into the story, melding true history with the “secret history.” I knew very little about the man, but may now delve more into his life.
And it was really nice to have a book that’s part of the History that’s not about Repairman Jack! Considering how much time is covered, one would think that other characters would surface. Here, some finally did. Charles Atkinson does a great job of narrating the story, first as an apprentice, but soon as so much more, as he becomes deeply involved with the project.
And I’m wondering now if, someday, we might read more about Charles. That would be a good thing.
And it was really nice to have a book that’s part of the History that’s not about Repairman Jack! Considering how much time is covered, one would think that other characters would surface. Here, some finally did. Charles Atkinson does a great job of narrating the story, first as an apprentice, but soon as so much more, as he becomes deeply involved with the project.
And I’m wondering now if, someday, we might read more about Charles. That would be a good thing.
September 9, 2023
I think this came out since the last time I dipped my toes into the Secret History of the World. What a pleasant little surprise. I'm trying to read everything that comes before where I am in the cycle (Broken Sword, I think?), and there's now quite a bit.
What geek doesn't perk up a little hearing that a story involves Nikolai Tesla? This tale also made me go googling Wardenclyffe to see how much of this was true. I am absolutely not an electrician or engineer, so I don't understand how much of what Tesla believed was insane vs. ahead of its time, but man, is it frustrating to find out how much he was TRYING to change the world. Of course people with money fought against it.
Anyway, properly spooky with an incredibly interesting main character whose secret turned out to be NOTHING like I what I thought the prose was teasing us with. Fun and a quick read.
What geek doesn't perk up a little hearing that a story involves Nikolai Tesla? This tale also made me go googling Wardenclyffe to see how much of this was true. I am absolutely not an electrician or engineer, so I don't understand how much of what Tesla believed was insane vs. ahead of its time, but man, is it frustrating to find out how much he was TRYING to change the world. Of course people with money fought against it.
Anyway, properly spooky with an incredibly interesting main character whose secret turned out to be NOTHING like I what I thought the prose was teasing us with. Fun and a quick read.
April 28, 2020
This excellent short novel by F. Paul Wilson is one of his best works. Regular readers will enjoy its connections to his Secret History of the World, as well as two "minor" characters featured in that umbrella mythos to his works. It is, however, also a great read for the neophyte to Wilson's bibliography because it stands alone as a dark speculation about the fall of Nikola Tesla's grand experiment at Wardenclyffe. The narrative voice reminded me of characters who speak of their adventures in books from authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs, and it's perfect. The significance of the character telling the story is revealed gradually, and I found the character's hidden struggle quite moving.
July 31, 2019
I've read F Paul Wilson since my mom and I stumbled across a copy of The Keep on the reduced sell aisle at our local supermarket-over 36 years ago.
While I enjoyed reading Wardenclyffe- I did guess the secret of the main character very early on- it's a very short read -it fits perfectly with what Wilson has termed Secret History of the World
Tesla was essayed by David Bowie in Nolan's eerie The Prestige and by Nicolas Hoult in the upcoming The Current War.
Now if I ever see any chew wasps.....
While I enjoyed reading Wardenclyffe- I did guess the secret of the main character very early on- it's a very short read -it fits perfectly with what Wilson has termed Secret History of the World
Tesla was essayed by David Bowie in Nolan's eerie The Prestige and by Nicolas Hoult in the upcoming The Current War.
Now if I ever see any chew wasps.....
May 17, 2021
If you're into the Secret History theme created by F. Paul Wilson, you'll really enjoy this historical fiction involving Nicola Tesla and some interesting historical events seen in the light of Wilson's scary imagination. There's some seriously good payoff for those who follow the crumbs laid out in earlier works. I thought the characters were compelling and interesting as well as unique among character types typically found in good fiction, but that's SOP for Wilson. He's cool like that. On to Black Wind, because it is the power of The Secret History that compels me!
February 3, 2019
Another entry in The Secret History
I've read most of the Secret History series by F Paul Wilson and it was a joy to discover this novella focusing on Nikoli Tesla in the early part of the twentieth century. This book will appeal to fans of Repairman Jack. I was sorry to hear that the American publishers do not plan to publish a new Repairman Jack book which is a Shane as I look forward to anything by F Paul Wilson
I've read most of the Secret History series by F Paul Wilson and it was a joy to discover this novella focusing on Nikoli Tesla in the early part of the twentieth century. This book will appeal to fans of Repairman Jack. I was sorry to hear that the American publishers do not plan to publish a new Repairman Jack book which is a Shane as I look forward to anything by F Paul Wilson
March 19, 2021
If you are ever writing a story inspired by HPL and are tempted to put in a small cheeky oblique reference to HPL - stop yourself. Those who don't know HPL won't get it. Those who do know of him *do not need it*.
Story felt clunky but continued chugging along like train cars held together with rubber bands, eventually grinding into the station.
Not sure what kept me reading it but since I made it all the way through, I'll give it a 3/5 as it kept me mildly entertained.
Story felt clunky but continued chugging along like train cars held together with rubber bands, eventually grinding into the station.
Not sure what kept me reading it but since I made it all the way through, I'll give it a 3/5 as it kept me mildly entertained.
August 15, 2023
Great short read. My first introduction to F. Paul Wilson was The Keep, and I believe it's one of the best books I've ever read in my life. This one is perhaps not on that level, but I had a great time.
Since it's short, it doesn't waste much time. It gets straight to the point and I respect it. Not a single word is wasted.
Lately, I'm really into scientists' history and especially that of Nikola Tesla's, so I suppose I had to read this.
Since it's short, it doesn't waste much time. It gets straight to the point and I respect it. Not a single word is wasted.
Lately, I'm really into scientists' history and especially that of Nikola Tesla's, so I suppose I had to read this.
July 9, 2019
It was opportune that I had just finished Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla before reading this book. F. Paul Wilson has skillfully woven fiction in and amongst historical events in Tesla's life to make an interesting, and very short, original tale. Well done!
December 25, 2019
Tesla and his untold secrets.....
Another worthy chapter in the secret history of the world. Would have loved this as a full novel rather than a novella length. Another great read from the maestro.
Another worthy chapter in the secret history of the world. Would have loved this as a full novel rather than a novella length. Another great read from the maestro.
September 4, 2020
An amazing story of Tesla!!
This I a most intriguing book about the great Nicola Tesla!! And if it is true by any chance,it could explain a lot of things!!!!!!!
A must read for any fan of Tesla!!
This I a most intriguing book about the great Nicola Tesla!! And if it is true by any chance,it could explain a lot of things!!!!!!!
A must read for any fan of Tesla!!
April 8, 2021
Nice. The "true" story behind Tesla's failed "broadcast power" system, with a nicely Lovecraftian touch.
An unusual — and interesting — protagonist, too.
If the blurb piqued your interest, go for it.
An unusual — and interesting — protagonist, too.
If the blurb piqued your interest, go for it.
May 21, 2022
If you're a fan of FPW and the Jack/Nightworld series, you will enjoy this book. It bridges the two themes well, giving you an orthogonal view of the word as Nightworld approaches. It's a short book/quick read, but the pace is good, and it's a well-done piece by FPW. Curious if our characters might make an appearance in a future book...
April 11, 2023
Like others have said, this is a shorter, tightly told story that I really enjoyed.
It starts very normal with Tesla doing experiments, then when things happen that bring it into 'the secret history' and 'Repairman Jack' world, it just gets better!
It starts very normal with Tesla doing experiments, then when things happen that bring it into 'the secret history' and 'Repairman Jack' world, it just gets better!
April 20, 2024
Besides the hat tips to the Secret History/Repairman Jack series there’s not a whole lot to this novella. I really could have used a bigger payoff in the end.
Can be read as a stand alone but recommended anytime after Hosts. Reserved for the hardcore Wilson fan.
Can be read as a stand alone but recommended anytime after Hosts. Reserved for the hardcore Wilson fan.
October 23, 2024
A great story
This was such a interesting book .I looked alot of things up online and this book is near the truth in alot of ways..loved the ending but hated it also..FPaul Wilson does not ever dissapoint!!
This was such a interesting book .I looked alot of things up online and this book is near the truth in alot of ways..loved the ending but hated it also..FPaul Wilson does not ever dissapoint!!
February 11, 2025
I recently read a Repairman Jack novel and decided to go back and start the Secret History of the World in the author's recommended read order (physical books only for me). This was a quick read and a delightfully inventive take on what actually happened at Wardenclyffe.
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