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  • Wizard

  • The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius
  • By: Marc J. Seifer
  • Narrated by: Simon Prebble
  • Length: 22 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (169 ratings)
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Wizard cover art

Wizard

By: Marc J. Seifer
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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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.

©1996 Marc J. Seifer (P)2011 Tantor

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)

What listeners say about Wizard

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Well read, well researched, level headed whilst still paying mind to the mysterious and conspiratorial angles. It's a fascinating story full of inspiration, character flaws, rags to riches to rags to legend. I'm going to miss it.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A genius that was surpressed by JP Morgan

Would you consider the audio edition of Wizard to be better than the print version?

Yes, I listen to these books during my drive to and from work, so it's no longer 'dead time' now but key educational time. I actually like driving to and from work now...

What other book might you compare Wizard to, and why?

This stands alone for me....

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The whole book was very enlightening. My background is a s a mechanical engineer so I knew little about the electrical innovators apart from edison etc. How this man has not been credited with more is a mystery....untill you realise that the big money men want to keep the masses surpressed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I like to listen to the books over weeks.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Nice to finally know the full story...

of such an inspiring and yet human individual, who's work touches us every single day.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening

Profiling the huge contribution of Mr Tesla to the world in general not just electricity. He moved in some very influential circles. This book is very well presented and I found the narration a little sleepy at times, At over 17 hours long this book is a good value purchase and great if like me you spend a lot of time driving, then this book will be a good informative companion arming you with plenty of facts with which to bore people with.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Spell binding and I'm an Engineer

What did you like most about Wizard?

I enjoyed the linking of the dates to world events. I found the story itself very interesting, I found the observations insightful and I found it quite heart breaking that such a great inventor was frustrated by greedy financiers who had no vision.
Although I will accept Tesla needed strong management to keep him on message.

What other book might you compare Wizard to, and why?

many that have not been recorded yet I'd love to hear Da Vinci's life story or Baron De Fourier, or Countess Lovelace.

Have you listened to any of Simon Prebble’s other performances? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

pretty much

Any additional comments?

More of the same please biographies of Newton, Einstein, Hitler, Stalin, keep um coming!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent indepth acount of the extraordinary man.

Excellent indepth acount of the extraordinary man, including his interactions with other iconin inventers of his time.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What I gained from listening to this book.

An amazing overview as well of those times in which Tesla lived, and a deep insight into the personalities who interacted with him. Today we are experiencing the consequences of those hidden agendas.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A definitive analysis of a genius

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Tesla's life story. I had always imagined him to be brilliant but I now know that he was also an incredibly haunted and flawed individual.

My one criticism would be that the author can take the reader down too many sidelines. Although some of these additional narratives are useful and entertaining, just as many are not and seem to get in the way.

Having said that I would recommend you consider purchasing this book if you have a real interest in Nikola Tesla.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional story but stretched too far..

Needs trimming and checking for repeat content. Could possibly loose one third of time by sticking to time and moment

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What Genius

Would you listen to Wizard again? Why?

No, I usually only listen once to books like this.

What did you like best about this story?

The depth of detail and back up research carried out.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Many parts of the book were very enjoyable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Generally, how Tesla never completed the tower, then it was destroyed.

Any additional comments?

Good book. A bit long at times but, over all a good book if you like that technology thing.

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1 person found this helpful