Wizard Audiobook By Marc J. Seifer cover art

Wizard

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

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Wizard

By: Marc J. Seifer
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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About this listen

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
Historical History History & Culture Physics Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Inspiring Funny Witty
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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)

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Fascinating Story • Engaging Narrative • Detailed Biography • Insightful Account • Compelling Storyline
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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.

The inventor we owe so much to

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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

Delivers as promised, plus: a funny narrator

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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.

Wizard life and times of Tesla

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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.

Very thorough wouldnt have minded abridged version

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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.

so interesting and easy to listen to

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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.

Worth the Listen

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

More information than you probably care to know

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way more info than I expected or wanted. It took forever to get through but the narrator was good

way more info than I expected or wanted

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I loved this book and although it v quite long it is chock full of facts and details about the amazing wizard.

Great informative book

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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.

Long story but I still don't know Tesla

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