The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World

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Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 920 EAN: 9781400047635 ISBN: 1400047633 Label: Three Rivers Press Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 384 Publication Date: 2008-03-25 Publisher: Three Rivers Press Release Date: 2008-03-25 Studio: Three Rivers Press
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Editorial Reviews: Thomas Edison’s greatest invention? His own fame. Starting with the first public demonstrations of the phonograph in 1878 and extending through the development of incandescent light and the first motion-picture cameras, Thomas Edison’s name became emblematic of all the wonder and promise of the emerging age of technological marvels. But this critical biography of the man who is arguably the most famous of all Americans provides a fuller view of Edison’s life and times–revealing not only how he worked, but how he managed his own fame, becoming the first great celebrity of the modern age.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Unbalanced Comment: I feel this book has great stories about Edison interjected with supporting documentation over a linear defined timeline. Despite all that, I don't find this book engaging. It's hard to get into a flow with this book as the author is more matter-of-fact in a style more suitable to a term paper than a non-fiction book. Customer Rating: Summary: Uncredited Inventory Comment: This book provides an amazing look at the Wizard of Menlo park. My favorite portions of the book did not revolve around his inventions, his genius, his marketing of himself, the way he breached the barrier to become one of the first 'superstars' of the media. My favorite things were the little unknown ideas which have taken on life in my time. As I am reading the book I am thinking, hey, Edison invented the idea of Netflix, Sesame Street, and more. But the basic premise behind these ideas didn't come to fruition in his lifetime. That's the beauty of his genius. He saw a future that no one else did -- despite his stubbornness and frequent bad business decisions. Customer Rating: Summary: Fun / Interesting Comment: I did not realize how little I knew about Thomas Alva Edison - until reading this book. This is a good biography of Edison, but deals more about his rise to fame and how that whole process happened. The author weaved in and out of a good biography with some editorial tangents, but overall this is a good book. Coming out of reading this book I really appreciate Edison, and realize that he should have stuck to inventing and left the leadership and management of his companies to people who were good and leadership and management. Classic micromanager who was not good at leading and managing. But, one heck of an inventor. JVD Customer Rating: Summary: Nobody Beats the Wiz! Comment: This enjoyable biography focuses on: 1.) Thomas Edison's various achievements as an inventor. 2.) How Edison's inventions led to an ostensible raise in the standard of living in the United States and eventually Europe. 3.) How Edison became and lived as a celebrity because of his achievements. If you like reading about heroic producers of the industrial revolution, then I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list. Even the anecdotes about Thomas Edison's (initial) failures are fun to read. For example, I particularly liked the story of how J.P. Morgan volunteered to have his study be one of the first rooms to be wired with electricity. Eager to bask in his latest highly anticipated investment, Morgan turned on the incandescent light next to his desk to do a little evening reading. Unfortunately for him, as he began to read, his study caught fire, eventually leading to his house suffering substantial damage. Did J.P. Morgan divest himself of Thomas Edison? Absolutely not! He merely invited Thomas Edison over to witness the charred remains of his study and firmly inquired if he could install the wiring correctly the second time. Such was the earned reputation of Thomas Edison. J.P. Morgan knew he was investing in something big. Also, this story also revealed a great deal about his character. Instead of dwelling on his serious mistake, Thomas Edison focused on how he could rectify the situation and improve his invention. But I digress. A great read! Customer Rating: Summary: An Excellent Read About The World's Most Famous Inventor Comment: I totally enjoyed this book. The author keeps you turning pages as he provides interesting fact after fact about Thomas Edison and his life as the world's most famous inventor. Inside you will learn what made Edison tick and how he impacted the world around him including his family, employees and close friends. As a phonograph buff I particularly enjoyed reading about Edison's beliefs regarding musicians, music and the promotion and sale of phonographs and cylinders (records). The Wizard of Menlo Park is well researched and well written. The author obviously has experience taking readers on enlightening journeys. This book will find a permanent place on my home bookshelf. More Reviews