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Title: Inventions Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla by Thomas Commerford Martin ISBN: 0-913022-23-3 Publisher: Angriff Pr Pub. Date: June, 1981 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Earthly dull
Comment: As opposed to the unearthly stuff most people who would be searching for Tesla books are actually interested in. If you want to wind coils for old-fashioned electric motors, alternators and inductors, this is the book for you! Unfortunately for those interested in extraterrestrial influences and transmitting electrical power through the ether, this book represents the real science and inventions that made Tesla a true success in his day, as opposed to the kookier speculations that later fertilized his legend. Because it dispells myths, I have given it three stars for performing a real service. But unless your are deeply interested in the history of alternating current, you don't have to spend [money] for a paperweight.
Rating: 4
Summary: Before the cult --
Comment: When I was young I planned to write something along the lines of "an evaluation of Tesla's scientific contributions." Three things stopped me: 1) procrastination, 2) laziness, and 3) the impression that everyone who writes about Tesla will have a "kook" label stick to them for the rest of their lives. Why this is so is interesting, but first about the book.
This is a reprint of one published a little more than a hundred years ago, and is most definitely not a "kook book." The author, Mr. Martin, writes a very good description of the nature and significance of Tesla's work up to about 1895. The second part of the book consists of reprints of lectures delivered by Tesla, apparently written by the great man himself. The book contains many good diagrams and illustrations.
Both parts have the expected "old-fashioned" feel, but the book gives us a chance to compare Tesla's writing style with that of a contemporary. My own impression is that Tesla's writing style is fairly good as well as interesting, though perhaps even more florid than customary during that age. The book is rather long, and I would venture only two types are likely to read it in entirety: 1) historians of science, and 2) the Tesla sycophants.
When the book was originally published Tesla was at the height of his powers. About that time his assertions started to become more and more grandiose, if not fantastic. Following the debacle of his "world wireless power transmission" scheme (just prior to WWI), his reputation suffered. Although he lived until 1941, in later life he tended to be increasingly seen as an eccentric loner and kook. He died in loneliness and poverty.
OK, so why does a "kook" label tend stick to anyone who has more than passing interest in Tesla? The first reason is, of course, the fantastic and eccentric claims Tesla made late in life. But by itself this is not enough - after all, even the great Newton dabbled in alchemy and the Book of Revelations late in life. To the first reason must be added a second: a "conspiracy" cult has grown around Tesla; cultists explain all his failing not as personal failings, but as due to a conspiracy against the man. In short, Tesla has been turned into a messianic figure, and scientists are not comfortable with this image.
Rating: 4
Summary: Reprint of late 1800s book - intense reading, poor transfer
Comment: I've read a borrowed copy of this; seeing that Amazon had it, I bought my own copy - I could see that digesting this material is going to take a while.
The text is all here, unabridged. The image quality of the illustrations leaves a lot to be desired with this edition, however. It looks like a second-generation xerox in spots. If this is a problem, do yourself a favor and look for the 1980's hardcover reprint. The images are much better in that one. That said, the substance of this book is thoroughly recommended for the serious student of electrical engineering as well as fans of Tesla.
Since this text was written in the late 1800s, and is reprinted here without alteration, the language can sometimes have the density of Shakespeare (without the poetry). Much of the phraseology has passed out of use in the last hundred years. This material is written for the intelligencia of Tesla's era, and not "dumbed down" for this age as many other books are. This is an advantage for someone who wants an authoratative viewpoint on this subject (who more authoratative than Tesla!), but poisonous to the casual reader.
Many of the inventions discussed in this book are now commonplace (for instance - the AC induction motor, fully described here, is in use everywhere). Nikola's own depth of understanding of the principles involved make this a thoroughly intense experience for those who are ready for it. Readers who can understand this material are going to experience the devine "Ah-ha" on a regular basis throughout this book. Others will be put to sleep.
This book will separate the men from the boys very quickly.
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Title: The Fantastic Inventions of Nikola Tesla (The Lost Science Series) by Nikola Tesla, David Hatcher Childress ISBN: 0932813194 Publisher: Adventures Unlimited Press Pub. Date: August, 1993 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla by Ben Johnston ISBN: 0910077002 Publisher: Hart Brothers Publishing Pub. Date: October, 1982 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: The Lost Journals of Nikola Tesla : Haarp - Chemtrails and Secret of Alternative 4 by Tim Swartz, Timothy Beckley ISBN: 1892062135 Publisher: Global Communications Pub. Date: 15 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Experiments With Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency by Nikola Tesla ISBN: 1589639936 Publisher: Fredonia Books (NL) Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Problem of Increasing Human Energy by Nikola Tesla ISBN: 1564598446 Publisher: Kessinger Publishing Company Pub. Date: March, 1997 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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