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Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius Audiobook
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(3.02) - 594 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Inspiring the inventions of radio, robots, and radar, Nikola Tesla is also considered a founding father of modern electricity. He created the alternating current channel, fluorescent and neon lights, wireless telegraphs, and the turbines which harnessed the water power of the Niagra. In this exhaustively researched testament to Tesla's genius and pioneering spirit, author Marc Seifer works to reveal Tesla as more than mere cult figure but rather as the scientific architect of modern technology.
Through vast amounts of source materials, Seifer's pursuit of the truth about Tesla was initially threefold: to uncover which inventions should be rightfully credited to Tesla, to uncover why Tesla had been erased from the annals of history, to uncover why Tesla's wireless venture, Wardenclyffe, funded for five years by J.P. Morgan, failed. As this biography will reveal, Seifer was able to establish that clean energy and renewable hydro-electric power architecture was primarily founded by Tesla, as well as the remote control, particle beam weapons, and what eventually evolved into the Osprey helicopter/airplane.
Marc J. Seifer, born in 1948, is an author, graphologist (handwriting expert), and professor of psychology. He has published over 70 works on Nikola Tesla, who was also the subject of his doctoral dissertation. In numerous fraud cases, Seifer has aided the government by studying the handwriting of the accused. His publications on graphology and psychology have been used as textbook material and by numerous periodicals. Seifer is considered a Tesla expert, as well, having researched large amounts of correspondence and archives, the FBI among them, and having interviewed friends family and relatives of Tesla.
"This book was great...if I could only understand half of it. Ha ha. I have a fascination with Nikola Tesla and always have, however I am not of the capacity to understand his genius, which is what this book is mostly about. It gives a good account of his personal history, but of course, it focuses mostly on his amazing life's work and the vast improvements made to others work. Where would we be without Nikola Tesla? He has no doubt been touched by God. To understand energy and be able to harness it as he has makes him one of the greatest men in world history, with one of the most beautiful minds."
— Jeri (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher 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.
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Quotes
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“A truly remarkable biography of a remarkable man.”
— Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author -
“The story of one of the most prolific, independent, and iconoclastic inventors of this century…fascinating.”
— Scientific American -
“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 (starred review) -
“Tinged with pathos, this meticulously researched biography deserves attention from all who would understand the human tragedies played out in the shadows of our neon culture.”
— Booklist -
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 Starred Review
Wizard Listener Reviews
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" I cried after finishing this book. "
— Noah, 2/10/2014 -
" Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla presents a strong case confirming Tesla as the discoverer of wireless communication. Tesla was an amazing person who understood earth currents and harnessing the earth and suns energy to benefit humanity. Tesla's shortcoming was having big plans that could never get to the point of earning money; he was not a businessman. A good book! "
— Jon, 2/2/2014 -
" The book was good, but read too much like it was meant as an almost scholarly work. Seifer definitely wrote this to be more on the informative side rather than entertainment; regardless, anyone that has ever wondered about Tesla, and how much he really contributed to the modern world should read this. anyone that doesn't should be sent to live in an Amish village for a week to understand how important he was. "
— William, 1/25/2014 -
" What a life. Tesla is maybe one of the most underrated geniuses in history. But the book was often mired in minutiae and wandered down irrelevant rabbit trails. "
— Richard, 1/11/2014 -
" Amazing book with interesting informations about his work. "
— David, 11/20/2013 -
" hardest fucking book i have ever read. great book, great detail... boring and tough in many many spots "
— Joseph, 10/31/2013 -
" tesla is one of those other-worldly people with ideas so far ahead of their time, that you can't help but be fascinated. I guess my new rule on choosing idols of other-worldly character is if they can be played by David Bowie in a movie or not (see The Prestige). "
— Meg, 5/22/2013 -
" Excellent narration of the events during and after Tesla's life. Consolidates, corrects, and explains many details found in other Tesla biographies as well, but includes more insights through interviews and connections to Tesla's descendants. "
— Christopher, 3/23/2013 -
" An extremely Engrossing book, especially in the second half. His life is frustrating train wreck in which you can predict the outcome but sadly cannot change. His life is epic, grand, fantastical, a bummer. "
— Alec, 1/8/2013 -
" A great blend of a biography, historical background, and history of technology. "
— Vadim, 1/4/2013 -
" Compelling biography about a unique man. Tesla shows how history remembers those who have a difficult time balancing their genius. The contributions tesla made should be taught as are Edison's or einsteins. "
— Jefferson, 1/3/2013 -
" How awesome was Nikola Tesla? So awesome. "
— Andy, 9/21/2012 -
" Not an easy read. Lots of obscure details and that leads to it seeming cloudy instead of a revealing biography. "
— Kim, 9/19/2012 -
" I learned way too much to write in this box right now, Tesla was a real freak, but clearly an under-recognized founder of our modern electrical era. I had no idea. "
— Miraese, 8/27/2012 -
" There is no question that Tesla's inventions changed the world, or that he was a fascinating and eccentric character, but this book was so dry that it was hard to maintain interest. "
— Hannah, 5/4/2012 -
" I wanted to like this book but it was way too technically written for me. I couldn't get through it. "
— Charlie, 12/28/2011
About Marc J. Seifer
Marc J. Seifer, PhD , an acclaimed expert on the inventor Nikola Tesla and also in the field of graphology, has lectured and published on both subjects widely. He starred in the five-part reality mini-series The Tesla Files on the History Channel and has appeared in Tesla documentaries on American Experience and in the motion picture Tower to the People. His other books include Framed: Murder, Corruption, and a Death Sentence in Florida and The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis, as well as numerous well-received novels. Visit him at MarcSeifer.com.
About Simon Prebble
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.