Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla by Marc J. Seifer Summary

Wizard explores Nikola Tesla’s groundbreaking inventions, personal struggles, and legacy as a visionary inventor. Marc Seifer’s biography charts Tesla’s development of AC power, wireless communication, and robotics while addressing why he vanished from history books. The book uses primary sources like letters, notebooks, and FBI files to reveal Tesla’s rivalry with Edison, financial challenges, and the collapse of his Wardenclyffe project.

This book suits history enthusiasts, STEM professionals, and readers curious about overlooked innovators. Its blend of technical detail and narrative depth appeals to those interested in early electrical engineering, patent wars, or the human story behind technological progress.

Yes. Praised as “revelatory” (Publishers Weekly) and “a serious piece of scholarship” (Scientific American), Wizard offers the most comprehensive account of Tesla’s life. Seifer’s 20-year research spans 400+ letters and rare documents, providing fresh insights into Tesla’s genius and his era.

The book credits Tesla with:

• Alternating current (AC) power systems
• Wireless communication and remote control
• Fluorescent lighting and the induction motor
• Early robotics and X-ray experimentation
  Seifer argues these innovations underpin modern tech like smartphones and WiFi.

Seifer attributes Tesla’s obscurity to patent disputes with Edison and Marconi, financial mismanagement, and skepticism toward his futuristic ideas (e.g., wireless energy). J.P. Morgan’s withdrawal from Wardenclyffe, Tesla’s failed wireless power project, marked a turning point in his decline.

Seifer draws from:

• 400+ letters between Tesla and figures like J.P. Morgan
• Tesla’s lab notebooks and FBI-released documents
• Rare Serbian archives and court testimonies
  This evidence debunks myths and clarifies Tesla’s role in key inventions.

The book contrasts Edison’s profit-driven DC systems with Tesla’s visionary AC power. Seifer details their “War of the Currents,” highlighting Edison’s smear campaigns and Tesla’s eventual triumph in electrifying industries.

Tesla’s Wardenclyffe Tower (1901–1906) aimed to provide global wireless power and communication. Seifer explains J.P. Morgan withdrew funding after Marconi’s radio successes, fearing wireless energy’s unprofitability. The tower’s demolition sealed Tesla’s financial ruin.

Endorsements include:

• “A masterpiece” – Bestselling author Nelson DeMille
• “Highly Recommended” – American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Featured in Nature, The Washington Post, and BBC documentaries

Seifer’s background in graphology and psychology informs his analysis of Tesla’s correspondence and mental state. His 20-year research timeline, including visits to Tesla’s archives in Serbia, adds scholarly rigor.

Some readers find the technical details dense, though most praise its thoroughness. The book focuses more on historical context than speculative theories about Tesla’s later years.

Seifer positions Tesla as a foundational figure for 21st-century tech, linking his work to cellular networks, robotics, and renewable energy. The book argues Tesla’s AC system and wireless concepts remain central to innovation.