Electric War is a read that just draws you into the race of what gaining electricity was for the world. The dirty tricks played, the fierce competition, the money and maneuvering. WOW! Very eye-opening for this reviewer. Come on in, learn about Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse and the race to light the world.
From the Cover
The spellbinding true account of the scientific competition to light the world with electricity.
In the mid-to-late-nineteenth century, a burgeoning science called electricity promised to shine new light on a rousing nation. Inventive and ambitious minds were hard at work. Soon that spark was fanned, and a fiery war was under way to be the first to light – and run – the world with electricity.
Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of direct current (DC), engaged in a brutal battle with Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, the inventors of alternating current (AC). There would be no ties in this race – only a winner and a loser. The prize: a nationwide monopoly in electric current. Brimming with action, suspense, and rich historical and biographical information about these brilliant inventors, here is the rousing account of one of the world’s defining scientific competitions.
What You Get:
Over 18 chapters and 272 pages the reader is led on a wild race from Europe to the USA, a raucous wide that leads to double dealing, lying, and delving into the character qualities of the men involved in the race.
Learn their idiosyncrasies (like Tesla’s visions and OCD tendencies), see their competitive drive (Edison’s determination to quash alternating current) and the horrors of the electric chair.
Oodles of pictures dot the pages, showing us clearly the advances made. I found it fascinating to watch how one step led to another and how quickly improvements were made. Patents seemed to be flying left, right and centre as the race to do the next bright thing continued.
Rivalries were very evident throughout the pages, and it didn’t always turn out very pretty. I certainly learned aspects of these mens lives that I never even thought of before. Fascinating reading.
My Thoughts
Due to the nature of the “electric chair incident” I wouldn’t recommend this book for the faint of heart. Other than that chapter, this book should be enjoyed by youth that were interested in scientific advances in electricity. It was so fascinating watching the development of electricity and the men involved. The stories intertwined with each other showing both the strengths and weaknesses of character.
The Electric War: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Light the World
Mike Winchell
Henry Holt & Company
272 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Electricity, Edison, Tesla, History, Science
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
This sounds really interesting. Thanks for the heads up on the electric chair part. I may skip that if I can get my hands on this book.
It was indeed a really interesting read. I have about 30 pages to finish yet to be honest though. 🙂