Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century Hb [Hardcover]

Robert Lomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 1999

Nikola Tesla was responsible for many electrical inventions, but is largely unheard of. Using Tesla's own writings, court transcripts and FBI files, this book pieces together the true extent of Tesla's scientific genius and tells the tale of how his name came to be so widely forgotten.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Engineering and Technology Magazine said:

"This book is fun, which is not something one often says about engineering books...Tesla is most widely known for the magnetic unit that bears his name, but sadly little else. This book is a thoroughly entertaining way of correcting that injustice, a must for engineers, especially electrical ones."

Angus Clarke, Times Metro Magazine:

"Nikola Tesla... laid the groundwork for many things we take for granted today including alternating current, radio, fax and e-mail. ...Tesla combined genius with gaping character flaws and an uncanny ability to be ripped off by everyone. This is scientific popularisation at its most readable."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Author

This book has been released in Kindle format. Look for it in the Kindle Store

The Kindle addition has a new extended plate section, which would have been too big to fit in the paper version. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Headline Hardbacks; First Edition edition (September 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747275882
• ISBN-13: 978-0747275886
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #955,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too simple for my liking, November 19, 2003

By 

Mostyn (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century Hb (Hardcover)

Nicola Tesla, the subject of the book, was one of the true geniuses of all time. His tale is of amazing innovation, with poor commercialisation. He made electricity travel for many miles when Edison could only transmit a few hundred meters. His radios could transmit anywhere in the world when Marconi could only transmit a few hundred meters. He completely designed the AC electrical system, which without the world would not be the same. Tesla is an excellent case of lack of business sense.

Lomas carries a grudge against the likes of Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, which is probably warranted in telling the story from Tesla's point of view. Much of the story is dedicated to describing the relationships between Tesla, Edison and Westinghouse.

This book isn't a great work. Lomas has thoroughly researched his book, although he has not referenced anything, although he does admit this. Some descriptions of engineering concepts could be a lot better. It is also relatively short. I found myself wanting more information. This book won't please the intellectual reader, who would be better off looking for a lengthier book. I enjoyed reading this book merely for the story of Tesla.

While I didn't enjoy this book that much it would be a very good read for children and teens, especially those with an interest in science. In general I recommend reading about Tesla, who is an amazing albeit forgotten character, and was responsible for the 20th century.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, January 5, 2006

By 

James Buchanan "Student Engineer" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century Hb (Hardcover)

Mr Lomas' book on Nikola Tesla is an excellent book. It details a little about Tesla's childhood, his mental problems and the relationships he had (or didn't have, if you want to look at it that way). If you are new to learning about Nikola Tesla, I would recommend this book. It explains in simple terms Tesla's most important contributions to civilisation and technology: the AC electricity system we use today and radio. The books dwells a little on Tesla, Westinghouse and Edison, as one reviewer mentions.

This book will not satisfy the scientific reader. For those of you interested in further details of Tesla's engineering and scientific work, buy one of the many excellent CD compilations of his works, patents, articles, letters, etc. I have the Nu Energy Horizons CD on Tesla which is magnificent. Also grab Tesla: Man out of Time by Margaret Cheney and Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius by Marc J. Seifer.

This book's purpose is some entertaining bed-time reading (or that's my impression). First time Tesla readers will love this book, as well as those who want a biography of Tesla that's written well and isn't too technical.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, October 15, 2003

By 

Bob (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century Hb (Hardcover)

This book is very good. It shows how brilliant he really was. I would recommend this book to anyone. You go, Mr. Tesla!