Tesla

Books About Tesla

My Inventions, by Nikola Tesla, Electrical Experimenter Magazine, 1919 (available in book form edited by Ben Johnston, 1982). The words of the master. The tone of Tesla's language in this autobiography gives a true sense of the personality of the man himself. Take a look at the opening paragraph: "The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention..." and the complete text that follows, on this website.

Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla, by John J. O'Neill, 1944. O'Neill, as a young man, first met Tesla in 1907. He went on to become a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter. He wrote the first official biography of Tesla, based on his personal experiences of Tesla and the events surrounding his life. He is thorough in his description of Tesla's science, and unstinting in his praise. But there are no footnotes, and little reference to sources.

Tesla: Man Out Of Time, by Margaret Cheney, 1981. This biography gives more information than O'Neill's about Tesla's life, especially his relationships with others, and sources are cited. The prose is deft, and the story well-told, like a good novel.

Wizard, The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius, by Marc J. Seifer, 1998. By far the most comprehensive, Seifer's biography is extremely detailed with excellent footnotes and bibilography, yet eminently readable.

Films About Tesla

Tesla, Master of Lightning, PBS documentary by New Voyage Communications, Director/Co-Writer Robert Uth, 2000. This highly recommended film is a superb compendium of facts about, and photos of, Tesla and his times. Available on YouTube or purchase direct from PBS.

The Secret of Nikola Tesla, a 1980 Yugoslavian movie, not the greatest but might be worth a look. Helps to know Tesla's story beforehand. Rent or purchase on Amazon Prime.

Tesla, a 2020 American biographical drama film written and directed by Michael Almereyda. It stars Ethan Hawke as Nikola Tesla. Eve Hewson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jim Gaffigan, and Kyle MacLachlan also star. Viewable on Amazon Prime, Apple TV & YouTube.

Nikola Tesla, The Genius Who Lit The World, a documentary film about Nikola Tesla, the scientist and inventor, one of the greatest men in history. Viewable on YouTube or purchase on Amazon.

Nikola Tesla The Story of a Genius Documentary, a documentary film about Nikola Tesla, the scientist and inventor, one of the greatest men in history. Viewable on YouTube.