Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World

Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Age Range
6+
Release Date
September 10, 2013
ISBN
978-0763658557
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Move over, Thomas Edison! Nikola Tesla takes the spotlight in a biography of the man who pioneered modern electrical engineering — and changed the course of history.

When a Serbian boy named Nikola Tesla was three, he stroked his cat and was enchanted by the electrical sparks. By the time he was a teenager, he had made a vow: Someday I will turn the power of Niagara Falls into electricity. Here is the story of the ambitious young man who brought life-changing ideas to America, despite the obstructive efforts of his hero-turned-rival, Thomas Edison. From using alternating current to light up the Chicago World’s Fair to harnessing Niagara to electrify New York City and beyond, Nikola Tesla was a revolutionary ahead of his time. Remote controls, fluorescent lights, X-rays, speedometers, cell phones, even the radio — all resulted from Nikola Tesla’s inventions. Established biographer Elizabeth Rusch sheds light on this extraordinary figure, while fine artist Oliver Dominguez brings his life and inventions to vivid color. Back matter includes additional information about Tesla, scientific notes and explanations, source notes, a bibliography, and suggestions for further reading.

Editor review

1 review
Interesting and Enlightening
Overall rating
 
4.7
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Learning Value
 
5.0
How many of us think exclusively of Thomas Edison (and perhaps, Benjamin Franklin with his kite and key) when we think of the inventors of one of our most valuable modern technologies, electricity? I know I hadn't looked into the history of this incredible invention beyond that after high school. The truth is, Nikola Tesla was just as much of a pioneer in his own right, and changed the face of electricity for Edison himself and the scientists and people of his day.

Simply but intelligently written, with excellent paintings that bring the story alive, Electrical Wizard tells the story of Nikola Tesla from the spark of desire within him as a young boy to figure out electricity to the many difficulties he faced wrapping his own mind around AC/DC technology as well as those he encountered trying to convince the scientific community, and even Edison himself, that his theories would work. Reading his story is wonderful precisely because we are living in a world overwrought with the influence of his work. I find this exhilarating, especially when reading to my children. How exciting it is to delve into the mind of an inventor! And this book will open up history and science to your children (and you) if you pick it up. A great read.
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