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

The book was in good condition as described. I am happy.

Just fascinating! Incredible biography.

I just finished reading this enthralling book on N. Tesla and find that it is the finest piece of non-fiction I have ever read, without exaggeration. The thoroughness with which Seifer presents Tesla is unparalleled and the amount of detail included is just enough without going overboard. I am immensely satisfied with my experience in reading this book.Tesla stands with the giants of all time in science, yet due to his unique personality and self-effacing philosophy acted not in his personal interest for wealth and fame, but out of the best interest of all mankind. He was not honored for this philosophy in an era of cut throat capitalism and industrial expansion NOR is he honored in any manner worthy to his contributions to this day.Providing electricity virtually free to the entire planet wasn't on the menu back then nor is it in these "technologically advanced" times. People need to read this book to understand that there is no "energy crisis" on this planet, only a crisis of will, greed, and hubris.His primary work was stolen, copied, and bungled brazenly by some of the greatest inventors of all time such as Thomas Edison and Marconi. The pure inventor lost credit for changing the world to the crass commercialists. This book clearly documents this sad reality. It does more than that though. This is a triumphant story as well. Tesla was a hundred years ahead of his time so his era is now.This book has given me an entirely different perspective on life, technology, and the value in knowing the truth. I no longer feel as though we live in a technologically advanced era. I think that the technology which excites the mind and inspires us as the greater human race is sorely missing that greatest inventor of all time.

Covers everything, but a little dry and boring for me

I am the attorney in the family, my brother is the electrical engineer. I must admit I didn't understand all of the technical jargon. At first I felt the book dragged a little because of all the history and what was going on during Tesla's life, but I think it was necessary to show how Tesla was being thwarted and by whom.I found the book well written. I appreciate all the footnotes, for further investigating of facts.The only part I didn't care for is the authors analysis of Tesla, ie he must be a latent homosexual because he had to kiss his dead brother and never married. I thought that was reaching.It is a lot to take in and a lot of reading. I think the author did a phenomenal job of researching Tesla and writing about his life. I think everyone will get something different out of this book.

Great job on the presentation of the life of this amazing inventor! It is obvious that Nikola Tesla has been purposely written out of mainstream American history for almost a hunderd years. Why? How could this happen with all the amazing advances credited to one individual? I wanted to read from a source that answered this question and presented a credible tale of this fantastic period. Thank you Mr. Seifer for providing the layperson a condensed look at factual history supported by patent documentation, court records, coorespondence, personal memoirs, period news accounts, and your personal conclusions of how things really went down. I especially enjoyed the way you presented all sides of a controversial event and then provided your expert conclusions and reasons. All told with entertaining, easy to follow, prose. Well done sir!!(P.S. I just purchased 'Transcending The Speed Of Light' and look forward to more of your skillfully entertaining presentation of unusual and technical subject matter.)

This book is assiduously researched and footnoted. The author has evidently reviewed everything Tesla ever wrote, plus everything that's been written about him. The organization of the book could form a bit more of a natural progression (i found the chronology hard to follow at times). The descriptions of the various characters (Edison, Westinghouse et al) are lively and entertaining. The book does risk being a bit of a hagiography, but the author does his subject quite well overall.

Interesting biography of a man that I thought was merely a brilliant, but unfortunately largely unrecognized inventor. This book gave me a new perspective on the man.