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Tesla: Man Out of Time  By  cover art

Tesla: Man Out of Time

By: Margaret Cheney
Narrated by: Arthur Morey, Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

In Tesla: Man Out of Time, Margaret Cheney explores the brilliant and prescient mind of one of the 20th century's greatest scientists and inventors. Called a madman by his enemies, a genius by others, and an enigma by nearly everyone, Nikola Tesla was, without a doubt, a trailblazing inventor who created astonishing, sometimes world-transforming devices that were virtually without theoretical precedent. Tesla not only discovered the rotating magnetic field - the basis of most alternating-current machinery - but also introduced us to the fundamentals of robotics, computers, and missile science. Almost supernaturally gifted, unfailingly flamboyant and neurotic, Tesla was troubled by an array of compulsions and phobias and was fond of extravagant, visionary experimentations. He was also a popular man-about-town, admired by men as diverse as Mark Twain and George Westinghouse, and adored by scores of society beauties.

From Tesla's childhood in Yugoslavia to his death in New York in the 1940s, Cheney paints a compelling human portrait and chronicles a lifetime of discoveries that radically altered - and continue to alter - the world in which we live. Tesla: Man Out of Time is an in-depth look at the seminal accomplishments of a scientific wizard and a thoughtful examination of the obsessions and eccentricities of the man behind the science.

©1981 Margaret Cheney. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about Tesla: Man Out of Time

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but very dated.

Didn't realize it was so dated. About 35 years old now. I wonder what technical advancements have made using Tesla's ideas since the book was written and published.

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6 people found this helpful

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good book great man

I found the history of Tesla very enlightening. however I'm too dumb to understand the technical jargon in this book.

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A Story that Lost Its Momentum as did Tesla

The first half of the story was spectacular when Tesla was in his prime. But the story lost it’s momentum as the author recounted his latter years of financial and creative decline. It was sad to hear of his decades of fruitless longing for recognition and financial security. Of course it was an authentic accounting of his years - but nonetheless disappointing.

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  • Overall
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A Hidden History

Listened to this twice. I learned a lot about Tesla and his prolific genius, and yes his many flamboyant claims of how we could communicate with other planets and even visit there someday.

The only sad thing was that I never heard a word of this in all my years of public school.

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Very Enjoyable!

Well narrated, moved right along with the story. Many interesting moments and facts into the life of a memorable man.

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1 person found this helpful

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one of the better one of Nikola i have heard

thumbs up to the narrator. He spoke clearly and intelligently I would recommend this to anyone who is a science fan

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greatest inventor ever

thank you for introducing me too the greatest inventor ever. great story. don't let anyone stop you from dreaming.
DREAM BIG.

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Everything is possible

Any additional comments?

A comprehensive biopic of the legendary genius Nikola Tesla that is riveting as it is revealing of both his great achievements, personal life and the historical, economic and social milieu of his time. Both Tesla as well as a number of his contemporaries are portrayed with piercing realism and presence, and the circumstances in which he operated are described in great detail from his financial struggles, fascinating experiments and demonstrations, the grandeur of his ideas and visions to the opposing interests of some of his contemporaries and industry magnates and t. An enjoyable performance that evokes a sense that everything is possible while at the same time illustrating the limitations of our own time.

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5 people found this helpful

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full of great detail on Tesla's life

Very informative book about Tesla's life, providing a deep dive into his personal life, his work, and the world he lived in. Still some unanswered questions remaining, for reasons of national security so there isn't a clean wrap.

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Excellent listen

Well done audiobook on an amazing life. The story is captivating to the imagination. I high recommend.

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