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Tesla: His Tremendous and Troubled Life
The enigmatic Nikola Tesla—stalked by his ever-present inner demons—invents the modern world. His astonishing story is that of a new-age god, a genius, a Zeus, a wonderful Wizard, yet a deeply troubled one. He tames the mysterious force called “electricity;” he dazzles the world with his endless inventions and discoveries; he blazes new paths in science that profoundly impact our daily lives; he turns fantasies into realities; his thought experiments disrupt scientific norms; he gives us many of the indispensable tools we use today; and famous actresses and chanteuses clamor for his attention as powerful men desire to be his friend . . . all before an astonished world. Yet all the while he keeps his own counsel, as he simultaneously struggles with the challenging consequences of bipolar flights of manic energy alternating with depressive depths of great despair. He shuns the clichés of a quotidian life, while forever seeking to “lift the burdens from the shoulders of mankind.” It would become his lifelong leitmotif, but at what cost to him?
The authors Marko Perko and Stephen M. Stahl, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., propose a “new- style biography” entitled T E S L His Tremendous and Troubled Life. They will examine Nikola Tesla in a manner that has yet to be accomplished in publishing history―asking and answering the seminal Who was the real man with an extremely complex psyche/personality, who lived with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and a hyperthymic temperament spilling over at times into high flying bipolar mania and then crashing into devastating depression—and not simply the iconoclastic scientist who invented the modern world?
The authors Marko Perko and Stephen M. Stahl, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., propose a “new- style biography” entitled T E S L His Tremendous and Troubled Life. They will examine Nikola Tesla in a manner that has yet to be accomplished in publishing history―asking and answering the seminal Who was the real man with an extremely complex psyche/personality, who lived with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and a hyperthymic temperament spilling over at times into high flying bipolar mania and then crashing into devastating depression—and not simply the iconoclastic scientist who invented the modern world?
562 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2022
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135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 7, 2022
Nikola Tesla was a mysterious character, and Perko and Stahl unravel that life for readers. Most people recognize Tesla only as a brand of electric car; a few remember the name in conjunction with the Tesla coil “contraption” of school physics classes, but he contributed much more to civilization than just those oddities. In fact, modern life as we know it might not exist were it not for Tesla and his genius, curiosity, and innovation. Somehow school instruction “credits” Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison for “discovering” electricity. While that may be factual, in truth it was Tesla who tamed and harnessed electricity, and this controlling of electricity is what enabled modern society to progress. If one wonders what life would be like without power, even for a moment, an hour, or a lifetime, then thank Tesla for not having this worry.
Nikola Tesla’s birth almost foretold his unique spot in history. He was born precisely at midnight, between July 9 and July 10, 1856. Perko and Stahl explore the Tesla not shown in history books. He struggled with internal demons throughout his life, but perhaps those personal struggles fueled his fanatical curiosity and unrelenting drive. Tesla’s life was filled with strangeness, but with that strangeness came imagination, innovation and creativity.
“Tesla -- His Tremendous and Troubled Life” shows readers the Tesla who had an instinct for solving problems. I received a review copy from Marko Perko, Stephen M Stahl, and The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. Tesla was a true visionary; a person with a healthy disregard for the impossible who thought outside the box before most people even knew there was a box.
“Tesla -- His Tremendous and Troubled Life” is available in print, e-book, and audiobook.
Nikola Tesla’s birth almost foretold his unique spot in history. He was born precisely at midnight, between July 9 and July 10, 1856. Perko and Stahl explore the Tesla not shown in history books. He struggled with internal demons throughout his life, but perhaps those personal struggles fueled his fanatical curiosity and unrelenting drive. Tesla’s life was filled with strangeness, but with that strangeness came imagination, innovation and creativity.
“Tesla -- His Tremendous and Troubled Life” shows readers the Tesla who had an instinct for solving problems. I received a review copy from Marko Perko, Stephen M Stahl, and The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. Tesla was a true visionary; a person with a healthy disregard for the impossible who thought outside the box before most people even knew there was a box.
“Tesla -- His Tremendous and Troubled Life” is available in print, e-book, and audiobook.
November 2, 2024
Nikola Tesla mylėjo ne žmones, o žmoniją ir viso jo gyvenimo tikslas buvo "nukelti naštą nuo žmonijos pečių", šis žmogus išrado tiek daug, tačiau už savo darbus įvertintas buvo per mažai. Dėl tokio patogaus gyvenimo, kurį turime dabar galime dėkoti Teslai, nes jo galvoje gimę išradimai dabar yra kasdienės mūsų rutinos dalis.
Prisipažinsiu, kad prieš paimant šią knygą į rankas apie Nikola Teslą nieko nežinojau, tad man jo istorija buvo be galo įdomi, liūdna, netikėta ir nustebinusi. Šią knygą rašę du autoriai išsamiai analizuoja ir atveria Teslos gyvenimą, jo vidinį pasaulį ir net pateikia paties Nikolo autobiografijos iškarpų. Nors knyga ir negrožinė, tačiau tekstas parašytas tikrai meniškai ir ne sausai. Man labai patiko psichologinė analizė, pasirodo Nikola Tesla sirgo bipoliniu sutrikimu, turėjo obsesinį kompulsinį sutrikimą, manijos ir depresijos epizodus. Šiam žmogui gyveni tikrai nebuvo lengva, tačiau labai tikėtina, kad būtent šis psichologinis bagažas ir buvo pagrindinis variklis visiems išradimams.
Skaitant aš tikrai stebėjausi kokią nerealiai lakią vaizduotę turėjo Tesla, kaip gimė idėjos prietaisams, kurie anksčiau neegzistavo ir suvokiau koks iš tiesų dabar mūsų gyvenimas geras.
Prisipažinsiu, kad prieš paimant šią knygą į rankas apie Nikola Teslą nieko nežinojau, tad man jo istorija buvo be galo įdomi, liūdna, netikėta ir nustebinusi. Šią knygą rašę du autoriai išsamiai analizuoja ir atveria Teslos gyvenimą, jo vidinį pasaulį ir net pateikia paties Nikolo autobiografijos iškarpų. Nors knyga ir negrožinė, tačiau tekstas parašytas tikrai meniškai ir ne sausai. Man labai patiko psichologinė analizė, pasirodo Nikola Tesla sirgo bipoliniu sutrikimu, turėjo obsesinį kompulsinį sutrikimą, manijos ir depresijos epizodus. Šiam žmogui gyveni tikrai nebuvo lengva, tačiau labai tikėtina, kad būtent šis psichologinis bagažas ir buvo pagrindinis variklis visiems išradimams.
Skaitant aš tikrai stebėjausi kokią nerealiai lakią vaizduotę turėjo Tesla, kaip gimė idėjos prietaisams, kurie anksčiau neegzistavo ir suvokiau koks iš tiesų dabar mūsų gyvenimas geras.
January 6, 2023
Az ember, aki megszelídítette Zeusz villámjait.
March 28, 2022
Subtitle: His Tremendous and Troubled Life
Very few people in history are as exciting and mysterious in pop culture as the scientist/inventor Nikola Telsa. This new biography takes a look at Tesla’s life while concentrating on his likely being bi-polar and examining the course of his life in light of how that disorder may have influenced it.
I had read a previous Telsa biography nearly twenty years ago that went in depth on his inventions and business dealings. While this book couldn’t possibly avoid covering the same material, it was done in less depth and the unique slant of examining his mental state throughout his life made it not at all boring. It emphasized Tesla’s unique way of thinking – he visualized and perfected his inventions totally in his mind before constructing them, never committing anything to paper – and his never-ending goal of improving lives for all of humanity even at the expense of enriching himself.
Tesla’s many inventions are covered here, including his most significant – the alternating current system of generating and distributing electricity, radio, radar, robotic automatons, and many others. Later in his life, Tesla was unable to receive funding to continue development on his ideas for distributing free electricity and sending information and messages through the Earth itself, and his infamous ‘death beam.’ This book pointed out that Tesla’s ideas combined with his intent on serving humanity rather than making money made him a threat to the very financiers he relied upon to fund his research. As a result, Tesla spent the last 30-40 years of his life practically begging potential investors for funding.
I gave Tesla five stars on Goodreads. It’s a rather concise account of the legendary man’s life that is not overly technical, yet technical enough to explain the significance of his ideas. It also did a good job of humanizing an inventor whose ways of thinking are still a far cry from what us ‘normal’ humans can identify with.
Very few people in history are as exciting and mysterious in pop culture as the scientist/inventor Nikola Telsa. This new biography takes a look at Tesla’s life while concentrating on his likely being bi-polar and examining the course of his life in light of how that disorder may have influenced it.
I had read a previous Telsa biography nearly twenty years ago that went in depth on his inventions and business dealings. While this book couldn’t possibly avoid covering the same material, it was done in less depth and the unique slant of examining his mental state throughout his life made it not at all boring. It emphasized Tesla’s unique way of thinking – he visualized and perfected his inventions totally in his mind before constructing them, never committing anything to paper – and his never-ending goal of improving lives for all of humanity even at the expense of enriching himself.
Tesla’s many inventions are covered here, including his most significant – the alternating current system of generating and distributing electricity, radio, radar, robotic automatons, and many others. Later in his life, Tesla was unable to receive funding to continue development on his ideas for distributing free electricity and sending information and messages through the Earth itself, and his infamous ‘death beam.’ This book pointed out that Tesla’s ideas combined with his intent on serving humanity rather than making money made him a threat to the very financiers he relied upon to fund his research. As a result, Tesla spent the last 30-40 years of his life practically begging potential investors for funding.
I gave Tesla five stars on Goodreads. It’s a rather concise account of the legendary man’s life that is not overly technical, yet technical enough to explain the significance of his ideas. It also did a good job of humanizing an inventor whose ways of thinking are still a far cry from what us ‘normal’ humans can identify with.
February 18, 2022
Overview:
This book is more than just what Tesla’s ideas and inventions contributed to how life is lived, which was so immense that they are ubiquitous. This book is about who Tesla was, the psychology and culture that made Tesla such an eccentric. Starting with a childhood which prepared Tesla to reason and think critically. But a family tragedy, caused childhood trauma that would shake the foundation of the family and impact Tesla’s psychological makeup. During Tesla’s whole life, there were psychological problems. The specifics are not known, but Tesla had troubling hallucinations, long periods of depressions, and manic states. It was during the manic states that Tesla was most productive, and produced the most innovations. Tesla had periods in which there were too many ideas flowing around that it was a challenge to slow them down, while other periods with barely any. Tesla’s cultural background instilled a desire for Tesla to invent useful things that can help others. To better humankind. For those ideals, Tesla often chose principles over profit. That caused many financially difficult periods. An idealism that made Tesla a bit naïve when dealing with people, as many have betrayed Tesla.
Caveats?
The book’s narrative lacks a bit of flow, making it more difficult to read. A writing style issue is with how the authors describe history, as predetermined, that the events that happened were inevitable. This is problematic because there was a lot of uncertainty to the outcomes of events during the time, which the authors sometimes mention.
Although Tesla’s inventiveness, ingenuity, and intellect cannot be denied, Tesla did not do everything alone. The authors focus on Tesla as a sole and solitary genius, which is the case, but that is not the whole of what made Tesla so great. Tesla saw how the available technology could be used and made extraordinary improvements and inventions. There were many technological ideas that Tesla had that would not be proven or become practical until after Tesla’s death. But all those ideas had others, who may not have had any of Tesla’s abilities, but were able to compete and complete the technology.
This book is more than just what Tesla’s ideas and inventions contributed to how life is lived, which was so immense that they are ubiquitous. This book is about who Tesla was, the psychology and culture that made Tesla such an eccentric. Starting with a childhood which prepared Tesla to reason and think critically. But a family tragedy, caused childhood trauma that would shake the foundation of the family and impact Tesla’s psychological makeup. During Tesla’s whole life, there were psychological problems. The specifics are not known, but Tesla had troubling hallucinations, long periods of depressions, and manic states. It was during the manic states that Tesla was most productive, and produced the most innovations. Tesla had periods in which there were too many ideas flowing around that it was a challenge to slow them down, while other periods with barely any. Tesla’s cultural background instilled a desire for Tesla to invent useful things that can help others. To better humankind. For those ideals, Tesla often chose principles over profit. That caused many financially difficult periods. An idealism that made Tesla a bit naïve when dealing with people, as many have betrayed Tesla.
Caveats?
The book’s narrative lacks a bit of flow, making it more difficult to read. A writing style issue is with how the authors describe history, as predetermined, that the events that happened were inevitable. This is problematic because there was a lot of uncertainty to the outcomes of events during the time, which the authors sometimes mention.
Although Tesla’s inventiveness, ingenuity, and intellect cannot be denied, Tesla did not do everything alone. The authors focus on Tesla as a sole and solitary genius, which is the case, but that is not the whole of what made Tesla so great. Tesla saw how the available technology could be used and made extraordinary improvements and inventions. There were many technological ideas that Tesla had that would not be proven or become practical until after Tesla’s death. But all those ideas had others, who may not have had any of Tesla’s abilities, but were able to compete and complete the technology.
December 31, 2021
This biography of Nikolai Tesla seeks to answer the question: "Who was the real man with an extremely complex psyche/personality, who lived with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and a hyperthymic temperament spilling over at times into high flying bipolar mania and then crashing into devastating depression—and not simply the iconoclastic scientist who invented the modern world?"
DId it answer the question? Yes it did. As someone who went into the book without much prior knowledge about Tesla himself, I thought the information was well-researched and was jam-packed full of details. However, the beginning wasn't really written in a tone meant for the general public. As a result of the tone and detailed nature, I had difficulty picking the book back up each time and almost abandoned it altogether. The tone improved and became more conversational as I read more into his adulthood, his work, and his relationship with other inventors (i.e. contrasting Tesla and Edison). I enjoyed the commentary on his mental illness and how it plagued him throughout his life, particularly regarding his bouts of (hypo)mania turned into depression and the relationship between his mania and productivity.
In general, I would recommend this very detailed book for readers who are interested in the field of engineering or psychology, as either background could serve as a catalyst to learning more about intricacies of his life rather than discovering it for the first time.
ARC generously provided by NetGalley.
DId it answer the question? Yes it did. As someone who went into the book without much prior knowledge about Tesla himself, I thought the information was well-researched and was jam-packed full of details. However, the beginning wasn't really written in a tone meant for the general public. As a result of the tone and detailed nature, I had difficulty picking the book back up each time and almost abandoned it altogether. The tone improved and became more conversational as I read more into his adulthood, his work, and his relationship with other inventors (i.e. contrasting Tesla and Edison). I enjoyed the commentary on his mental illness and how it plagued him throughout his life, particularly regarding his bouts of (hypo)mania turned into depression and the relationship between his mania and productivity.
In general, I would recommend this very detailed book for readers who are interested in the field of engineering or psychology, as either background could serve as a catalyst to learning more about intricacies of his life rather than discovering it for the first time.
ARC generously provided by NetGalley.
March 9, 2022
"Tesla - His Tremendous and Troubled Life" by Marko Perko and Stephen M. Stahl is an impressively thorough bibliography of the famous inventor Nikola Tesla. It is very clear that the authors really did their homework as the bibliography is highly annotated with sources and references and many details. Weighing in at nearly 400 pages this is a great source of information for enthusiastic Tesla fans. Since one of the authors is a fellow countryman to Tesla and the other is a psychiatrist with practical experience, this book provides unique insights into Tesla.
Tesla is certainly an exceptional inventor scientist who has clearly made valuable contributions to humanity. This is why I choose to read this book. His tale is simultaneously both uplifting and sad. I wanted to learn more and the authors certainly delivered. My major critique with the book is that the writing tends to be overly emotional showing unbiased intense praise of Tesla and vilifying those that Tesla himself did not like. Occasionally, it felt like I was reading the official bibliography of the founder of a new religion. A neutral journalistic style would definitely strengthen the authors' message.
I thank the authors and publisher for graciously providing an electronic review copy of this book.
Tesla is certainly an exceptional inventor scientist who has clearly made valuable contributions to humanity. This is why I choose to read this book. His tale is simultaneously both uplifting and sad. I wanted to learn more and the authors certainly delivered. My major critique with the book is that the writing tends to be overly emotional showing unbiased intense praise of Tesla and vilifying those that Tesla himself did not like. Occasionally, it felt like I was reading the official bibliography of the founder of a new religion. A neutral journalistic style would definitely strengthen the authors' message.
I thank the authors and publisher for graciously providing an electronic review copy of this book.
March 15, 2022
A psychoanalytic biography of Nichola Tesla. The authors begin with Tesla's childhood in Serbia and follow him until his death in New York. The book dealt with his inventions and financial struggles, but focused on his psychological condition. It is the opinion of the authors that Tesla suffered from Bopolar 1 Disorder, formerly called manic depressive disorder. Tesla was most productive during his manic periods when his mind worked frantically. However, he fell into periods of depression after the mania, which is typical of the disorder. Tesla was also obsessive compulsive and required his food and surroundings to meet strict criteria.
The book is interesting, but drags in places. There was significant repetition and the book would benefit from a more thorough editing process.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is interesting, but drags in places. There was significant repetition and the book would benefit from a more thorough editing process.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2022
A fascinating read! This gentleman was so far beyond his time that few understood him. We can be so thankful for his inventions which paved the way for the radio, TV, wireless communication, cell phones, internet, and many other things we take all in stride today but were only a wonderful idea of a remarkable man at the beginning of the 20th century.
He took it upon himself to lift the burden of mankind but it cost him his mental well-being at times. It was a gift but when he tried to carry it alone it became a demon that nearly destroyed him. Perhaps if God had been given the glory of this gift then Tesla may have enjoyed it more.
Leonardo di Vinci was another man in this category.
The alternate writing of Perko and Stahl, a researcher in psychiatry, who analyze the workings of Tesla's mind, was a stunning work of biography.
The print was small is my only complaint; for this senior, it was a laborious read but well worth it.
He took it upon himself to lift the burden of mankind but it cost him his mental well-being at times. It was a gift but when he tried to carry it alone it became a demon that nearly destroyed him. Perhaps if God had been given the glory of this gift then Tesla may have enjoyed it more.
Leonardo di Vinci was another man in this category.
The alternate writing of Perko and Stahl, a researcher in psychiatry, who analyze the workings of Tesla's mind, was a stunning work of biography.
The print was small is my only complaint; for this senior, it was a laborious read but well worth it.
May 30, 2023
Labai įdomu susipažinti su Nikolo Teslos gyvenimu. Vietomis knygą sunku skaityti, nes trūksta fizikos žinių, daug mokslinių terminų ir sąvokų. Tuo pačiu gaila, kad tokio genijaus niekas neįvertino, kol jis buvo gyvas ir tik XXI amžiuje plačiai panaudojami jo išradimai: belaidis ryšys, kintamoji srovė, robotika. Jo viso gyvenimo tikslas buvo "nukelti naštą nuo žmonijos pečių", jis norėjo, kad žmonės galėtų nemokamai naudotis elektra, o tam priešinosi pramonės magnatai. Įdomu buvo skaityti, kaip jo galvoje gimdavo tokios, atrodytų beprotiškos, idėjos. Tuo pačiu įdomu pasvarstyti, ko jis dar būtų galėjęs pasiekti ir sukurti, jei būtų turėjęs pakankamai lėšų savo idėjoms įgyvendinti.
February 24, 2024
Antroji 2024 perskaityta knyga Marko Perko ir Sthephen M. Stahl "Tesla: nuostabus ir neramus jo gyvenimas". Skaitydamas knygą supratau, kaip mažai žinojau apie Nikolą Teslą. O pasirodo visai be reikalo. Labai įdomus buvo žmogus. Su savo subtilybėmis, kaip ir mes visi, bet tikrai nuostabus išradėjas. Apie jį manau galėtų būti daugiau tyrimų, medžiagos, analizių. O gal ir yra, tik aš neieškojau. Labai nuosekli, su daug detalių knyga. Tačiau sunkoka ir vietomis nuobodoka pasirodė. Bet buvo labai smagu praplėsti savo žinių bagažą apie dar vieną žmogų, kuris tikrai stipriai prisidėjo prie to kaip mes visi gyvename dabar.
December 13, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It is interesting and written in a conversational tone. It is not too detailed and the authors don’t get bogged down in the science of Tesla’s inventions. Not much time is spent reality discussing psychiatric aspects of Tesla’s life; I thought there would be more of the latter subject. In addition, the book was more of a hagiography than a biography, with the authors making snide remarks about Tesla’s opponents. Overall, though, it is a worthwhile read. Thank you to Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield, Prometheus for the advance reader copy.
May 13, 2022
I enjoyed this book. It is interesting and written in a conversational tone. It is not too detailed and the authors don’t get bogged down in the science of Tesla’s inventions. Not much time is spent reality discussing psychiatric aspects of Tesla’s life; I thought there would be more of the latter subject. In addition, the book was more of a hagiography than a biography, with the authors making snide remarks about Tesla’s opponents. Overall, though, it is a worthwhile read. Thank you to Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield, Prometheus for the advance reader copy.
December 5, 2022
Utterly fascinating.
September 24, 2025
Frankly, this was painful to read. Not because of Tesla's sad story, but because authors obviously have no idea what are they talking about, and are inserting hyperbolic bullshit everywhere. For example, they are talking about Teslas failed attempt to use earth as communication medium for sending messages, and in the next sentence, they are saying that he invented internet. What?
Another annoying thing was insertion of Random Famous People into random places. For example: "Tesla sat on the toilet, like famous scientist, Albert Einstein".
Overall, this is garbage. I was looking forward to some psychological analysis, but the book can be summed into "he had BPD" and "he had mania" inserted into hundred of pages. Nothing new, nothing interesting, no analysis, just this menitoned hundred times. Meh.
Another annoying thing was insertion of Random Famous People into random places. For example: "Tesla sat on the toilet, like famous scientist, Albert Einstein".
Overall, this is garbage. I was looking forward to some psychological analysis, but the book can be summed into "he had BPD" and "he had mania" inserted into hundred of pages. Nothing new, nothing interesting, no analysis, just this menitoned hundred times. Meh.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews