Wizard

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

By: Marc J. Seifer

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 22 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), credited as the inspiration for radio, robots, and even radar, has been called the patron saint of modern electricity. Based on original material and previously unavailable documents, this acclaimed book is the definitive biography of the man considered by many to be the founding father of modern electrical technology. Among Tesla's creations were the channeling of alternating current, fluorescent and neon lighting, wireless telegraphy, and the giant turbines that harnessed the power of Niagara Falls.

©1996 Marc J. Seifer (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Seifer's vivid, revelatory, exhaustively researched biography rescues pioneer inventor Nikola Tesla from cult status and restores him to his rightful place as a principal architect of the modern age." ( Publishers Weekly)

The inventor we owe so much to

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Reading about a man who changed soo much of our technology...for the sake exploration through invention. It is inspiring to consider he did so much, for the sake of doing it, not for the glory or money.

Delivers as promised, plus: a funny narrator

What did you love best about Wizard?

The story itself is surprising, the classic elements of a 19th-century tale of giants astride the earth, with lust and madness to boot. I work in technology but this book had me see a more than one thing in a new light, and has built a deep respect in me for Tesla.

Would you be willing to try another book from Marc J. Seifer? Why or why not?

Yes, but I would check the length and consider carefully - this one was a monstrous length if consistently interesting and dense. I would love access to the notes and bibliography.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

I thought his voices were over-the-top and quite fun therefore. He probably wouldn't appreciate me saying that. Mostly I though it was a very creditable performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Maybe but that would have been impossible without a cross-country road trip involving multiple drivers going non-stop. I listened to it while cooking - about 30 minutes to an hour several times a week - and it took me a month. It's a monster.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this one; filled with facts and questions which I hadn't taken the time to consider. How did we move from no electrical transmission to cities to cables 100 miles or longer, in 1890 - 1905? Why haven't we harnessed the rotational energy of the earth to generate electricity? Etc

Wizard life and times of Tesla

An impartial review of his life, colored by correspondence throughout. If you seek a human tale rather than technical this is a good read/listen. I enjoyed the narrator and his oratory performance, not over done but distinguished the characters nicely.

Very thorough wouldnt have minded abridged version

I was excited to start this book, and dove in right away. The text itself is very concise and well written, and incredibly thorough. The human interactions were colored with anecdotes and a bit of color here and there. I made it through the first half of the book ok, buy it seemed to become more a task to get through some of the more mundane details, especially concerning tangents on other characters. Overall it was good. and I probably would have rated it 5 if it were edited a bit more.

The narrator is awesome, though his character voices can at times be over the top or distracting.

so interesting and easy to listen to

I have listened to this book over many months a chapter at a time because there is did much to absorb and consider. i never stopped wanting to find out more about him.

the science has been presented so clearly so I could, without having any science training, still see the impact of his ideas.

Worth the Listen

Quite a comprehensive account of Tesla...and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. At times the story became tediously detailed, but then it made sense as to why.

More information than you probably care to know

Very detailed information about the life of Tesla. At times too much information. Still fascinating though.

Long story but I still don't know Tesla

Book gets into great detail on Tesla's patent fights and early contributions but details on the man himself were scarce. Maybe no one really knew him but his sexual confusion and odd personal habits define the man more than any patent.

A TREASURE TROVE OF INFORMATION

The author has provided an immense amount of information about the inventions of Nikola Tesla, set against the vivid historical background and populated with the fascinating people in Tesla's life. This book offers great insight into both the inventions and the personality of Tesla. Superbly performed by Simon Prebble.

Tesla Unveiled

Rather long and sometimes complex and definitely not for the scientifically faint of heart but a thoroughly satisfying portrait of a figure who is often regarded as mysterious, mainly because history largely ignores him. The reader did a commendable job of emulating the accents of the various people whose comments and correspondence the author quoted.