Customer Reviews

Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla

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If you've never read anything by or about Tesla, or even if you've only read his technical writings, here's the book that will answer your questions about Tesla. Written from the point of view of someone who knew him, Prodigal Genius gives an amazing glimpse into the personality of this remarkable inventor. There are lengthy passages about his childhood and early career including how he got cheated out of $20,000 for inventing alternating current. There are also thought-provoking stories about how some of his inventions backfired and almost shook down a city block or two! Even if you're not a Tesla nut, Prodigal Genius is a great read--it's exciting enough that it's hard to put down. If you weren't a Tesla nut when you picked it up, you will be when you put it down!

This book tells the fascinating story of an amazing Serbian boy, Nikola Tesla, who was born in 1856, in the area we now call Bosnia. The author explains how Tesla's accomplishments brought forth our modern electrical power era and provide the foundation for the industrial system on which the entire world is built.

Tesla's mother could repeat, without error or omission, thousands of verses of the national poetry of her country. Tesla shared her retentive memory. He had another ability that he only revealed to his mother. If Tesla thought of an object, it would appear before him exhibiting the appearance of solidity and massiveness. He used this ability to visualize the solution to creating the first alternating current generator.

The first time Tesla's ability to visualize helped him in his quest to develop an alternating current generator, occurred when he suggested to a college professor that alternating current would solve some of the problems with a piece of electrical equipment that could be used either to generate electricity or if supplied energy could operate as a motor. As his professor demonstrated the machine, the solution to the problem came to Tesla in such a vivid, illuminating flash of understanding that he knew his visualization contained the correct and practical answer. He saw both the equipment operating without the problems and doing so efficiently, however, he could not see the essential details of how this could be accomplished.

In Feb of 1882, Tesla took a walk in the city of Budapest with a former classmate. While a glorious sunset overspread the sky, Tesla engaged in one of his favorite hobbies-reciting poetry. The setting sun reminded Tesla of some of Goethe's beautiful lines:

The glow retreats, done is the day of toil;
It yonder hastes, new fields of life exploring;
Ah, that no wing can lift me from the soil,
Upon its track to follow, follow soaring...

Suddenly, Tesla snapped into a rigid pose as if he had fallen into a trance. "Watch me!" he said, "Watch me reverse it!"

Tesla's friend said, "I see nothing, are you ill?"

"You do not understand," said Tesla, "It is my alternating-current motor I am talking about. Can't you see it right here in front of me, running almost silently? It is the rotating magnetic field that does it. See how the magnetic field rotates and drags the armature around with it? Isn't it beautiful? I have solved the problem."

Tesla now had an electrical system utilizing alternating current, which was much more flexible and vastly more efficient than the direct-current system then being used. But now Tesla had another problem, convincing the rest of the world that his alternating-current power system was simpler, flexible and freed electricity to be sent long distances. The direct-current systems being used at that time were not able to send electricity long distances without major problems. The fact that our power system today uses alternating-current shows that Tesla was finally successful. The book, Prodigal Genius, provides all the fascinating details of this story

Here is a story of a man born in the glorious womb of science, a man who so completely understood the laws of nature and the scientific method that he commanded total dominion over the physical universe.

Once you read this book you will find it difficult to name an aspect of modern life that hasn't been affected by the hand of Nikola Tesla.

Some of Tesla's ideas were so far ahead of his time that to the people of his day, they were considered impossible; his vision of the world of the future was mocked and laughed at even by other scientists. Over time scepticism about the possibilities of science and technology has waned. Unfortunately for us the world was not yet ready for Tesla, this man out of time, and he died with his greatest achievments alive only in his mind.

The book was originally published (or at least written) in 1944, by a friend/colleague of Tesla, who inserts himself into the storyline a bit too often. The author obviously idolized Tesla, and even in pointing out his flaws does so in a way that largley minimizes them. The story of Tesla's life, achievements, and oddities is truly remarkable, but I had hoped for a much better written account. The writing style seemed rather awkward to me, especially early in the book, and I found it to be distracting. The author engages in a good deal of speculation and moralizing, presents a very partial and stereotyped picture of Tesla.

It's certainly not all bad, and the personal insight of the author is at times appreciated. But, to sum it up, it is (and feels like) a book written by a science editor, not a biographer.

Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla is the amazing true-life biography of inventor extraordinaire Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), a friend of Mark Twain and George Westinghouse, and a rival of Thomas Edison. Tesla invented the AC electrical current; his talent for inventions and scientific advancement was enhanced by his ability to visualize three-dimensional images of his inventions, saving money and effort on prototype constructions. Though his prodigal talents brought him great wealth and recognition - he made his first million before he turned forty - he refused to accept the Nobel Prize, chose to give away his royalties as a token of friendship, and died nearly penniless. His dream was to provide the world with sources of energy and wonders of technology that were free to enrich the lives of all, rather than fuel the profit margin of corporate sponsors. Yet for his selfless ideals, he received derision and disdain. Written by John J. O'Neill, a personal friend of Tesla's, and originally published in 1944, Prodigal Genius remains the seminal biography of a staunchly ethical man of science, who deserves far more honor than history has given him.

Once I got by the romantic flair of the first pages, I really enjoyed O'Neill's biography of Tesla. The subject of Tesla's life is certainly fascinating. He was a true visionary and a man well before his time.

Minus one star for the romance (Is this typical of biographies of the era? I don't know.), for some circular logic (punishing Marconi for not seeing the potential of wireless transmission but lauding Tesla generating the first X-rays even though he did not grasp their potential).

Over all, an informative and enjoyable read.

P.S. I recommend Googling up Tesla's patents while progressing through the book.

I read this book in April 1945, just after it first appeared. A fantastically inspiring book for me, then a 14-year-old would-be genius. It nourished me intellectually and emotionally for five years -- until I outgrew it. The author was science editor for the New York Herald Tribune, but like so many Tesla enthusiasts today, was uncritical of Tesla's theoretical ideas, neither recasting them in today's language of physics, nor criticizing them where they are clearly wrong (or wrong-headed). Still, it's a book scientifically-oriented folks should read.

I have always been fascinated by how history has treated Tesla. The man was clearly a genius but in many ways his own worst enemy. This books is unique in that the author actually knew the man and saw all his strengths and weaknesses. While the author clearly revered Tesla, you can read alot between the lines. A wonderful if sometimes repetitive read.

Nikola Tesla was a complete genius and certainly an eccentric character. The book is very good at portrating his incredible intelligence; though, sometimes and can get a bit technical (probably good for people who have a basic knowledge of the foundation of harnessing electricity). I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Tesla.

The reporting of Tesla's life is biased to report the good, and gloss over the errors. Despite this, it is still a very good book, a great insight to a great inventor. The comparison of methods with Edison is interesting. Tesla's ideas were all his, and Edison use lots more experimentation. According to the book. Treat with an once of salt. Still excellent material though.