In the final decades of the nineteenth century; three brilliant and visionary titans of America’s Gilded Age—Thomas Edison; Nikola Tesla; and George Westinghouse—battled bitterly as each vied to create a vast and powerful electrical empire. In Empires of Light; historian Jill Jonnes portrays this extraordinary trio and their riveting and ruthless world of cutting-edge science; invention; intrigue; money; death; and hard-eyed Wall Street millionaires. At the heart of the story are Thomas Alva Edison; the nation’s most famous and folksy inventor; creator of the incandescent light bulb and mastermind of the world’s first direct current electrical light networks; the Serbian wizard of invention Nikola Tesla; elegant; highly eccentric; a dreamer who revolutionized the generation and delivery of electricity; and the charismatic George Westinghouse; Pittsburgh inventor and tough corporate entrepreneur; an industrial idealist who in the era of gaslight imagined a world powered by cheap and plentiful electricity and worked heart and soul to create it. Edison struggled to introduce his radical new direct current (DC) technology into the hurly-burly of New York City as Tesla and Westinghouse challenged his dominance with their alternating current (AC); thus setting the stage for one of the eeriest feuds in American corporate history; the War of the Electric Currents. The battlegrounds: Wall Street; the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair; Niagara Falls; and; finally; the death chamber—Jonnes takes us on the tense walk down a prison hallway and into the sunlit room where William Kemmler; convicted ax murderer; became the first man to die in the electric chair. Empires of Light is the gripping history of electricity; the “mysterious fluid;†and how the fateful collision of Edison; Tesla; and Westinghouse left the world utterly transformed.From the Hardcover edition.
#25305 in Books Pantheon 2005-08-02 2005-08-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .60 x 6.10l; .71 #File Name: 0375714669192 pagesPantheon Books
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The artwork itself was an amazing representation of her progression and self discovery in such ...By JacobThe story itself; an autobiography in a very artistic form; is very fascinating and deep. The story follows this girl's journey in discovering herself and life; the ways of the world. The perspective of the journey is only intensified by the fact she was being raised in middle of revolutions and wars. The terrifying aspect of this was watching as she was convinced; re-convinced then “corrected†by adults on how to think; and believe.The artwork itself was an amazing representation of her progression and self discovery in such dark times and horrible experiences. The artwork in time; especially nearing the end started to lighten up; however the constant overall tone is darkness; a twisted perception I believe is likely the result of living and growing up with war; oppression and death a constant companion.The art style is completely unique to me; someone who reads lots of comics; manga and watches many forms of cinema. This dark style really drives the emotional; political; religious and human aspects of this person life experiences deep into my mind.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great story in a beautiful packageBy ParmathuleI have the original hardcover versions of these books; and purchased this set for a friend. It's an attractive package with the box; which makes the softcover versions look a little spiffier.I'm not a huge fan of the graphic novel; but Persepolis and its sequel; Persepolis 2; I can recommend wholeheartedly. The illustrations are a stark black and white which set the perfect tone for this story of one woman's experience of the Islamic revolution in Iran. Satrapi's account of how the new theocracy affected her family and changed the course of her life is depressing; but fascinating. Many memorable characters (including herself!) are brought vividly to life despite the constraints of the graphic novel format; and Satrapi brings a wonderful wit and humor to this tale of woe that keep it from becoming too grim.The first volume focuses on Satrapi's rebellious childhood and the integrity and courage of the extended family members who inspired her. One can only hope that Iran has many more girls like her who will ultimately be the downfall of the current misogynistic regime.The second volume in Satrapi's coming of age tale begins with her family sending her to Europe to continue her education. Being away from her family for the first time; adjusting to a new culture; and struggling with the universal adolescent identity crisis are the focus here. There are painful moments; poignant moments and hilarious moments.Over the course of the two volumes of Persepolis; Satrapi shows us her metamorphosis from rebellious child to crazy; mixed-up youth; to strong cosmopolitan woman. It's a great story in a beautiful package.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. MesmerizingBy Dana PellegrinoThis book was completely mesmerizing. I just wanted to keep reading it until I finished. Satrapi's black and white illustrations really draw you in; and something about their simplicity works well with the story. Other reviews describe this a bit better than I do.I only wish I understood politics a bit more; as that part of the story was a bit harder for me to comprehend. If you're in that same boat; I would recommend reading up a bit on Iran's political history to help with that.
