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Kyle Driebeek Donates Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity to Bear Path School

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Tesla: The Wizard of ElectricityOne of the things I treasure the most about the experience of publishing Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity is the chance to meet some great people. While I’ve met off-Broadway actors and writers (TESLA), authors and museum directors, and even Nikola Tesla’s grandnephew, one of the most inspiring has been 12-year-old Kyle Driebeek and his family.

I wrote about Kyle after meeting him several months ago at the annual Tesla conference in the New Yorker Hotel. His mother Betsy has kept me up-to-date on his activities since then, and we met again at Tesla Days in Philadelphia. Both Kyle and his brother Julian gave presentations about their first experiences trying to research Tesla for school projects. Kyle surprised me by mentioning he would be buying an extra copy of my book and donating it to the school library. He encouraged others to do the same.

On August 30th, Kyle presented the book to Mrs. Margo Nabors, librarian at the Bear Path School in Hamden, CT.

Kyle delvering book to Margo

Photo courtesy of Betsy Driebeek

The idea all began in 2010 when a third grade project required students to research a famous person. Kyle chose Nikola Tesla. Other students chose people like Einstein, Disney, Hershey, Edison, Michelle Obama, Orville Wright, and Helen Keller. They had no trouble finding sufficient material for their projects. Tesla? Not so easy. After searching through the library’s database Kyle couldn’t find anything on Tesla. Nothing. The librarian, like Kyle’s parents and most other people, had never heard of Nikola Tesla.

Flash forward three years. My book, Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity, is released and, as Betsy Driebeek puts it, “reaches many ages and intellects.”  Seeing an opportunity to give something back to his elementary school, Kyle decided to donate the book to the school library so that new students would have a chance to learn about this important, but often overlooked, scientist and inventor. Even better, Kyle has volunteered his own extensive and ever-increasing knowledge to assist the next student who comes inquiring about Tesla.

I am honored that Kyle and his family chose to donate my book to further education. Two of my relatives, both long-time teachers, have also told me that they will donate a copy of the book to the local school and public town libraries, respectively. Others have suggested they will do the same. I am very happy that Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity is playing a role in bringing the work and life of Nikola Tesla to a wider audience.

As another Tesla friend said to me recently “Tesla awareness is growing rapidly!!!” It’s nice to be a small part of building that awareness.

David J. Kent is the author of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity. You can order a signed copy directly from me, download the ebook at barnesandnoble.com, and find hard copies exclusively at Barnes and Noble bookstores. Stores are starting to sell out their stock, and restock, so get them while they are available.

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Tesla (and I) Visit a Book Club

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I recently had the honor of attending a book club and book signing at the home of a long-time colleague and friend. In our best Lennon-McCartney fashion we followed a long and winding road to get there. Set back in a secluded forest enclave, a beautiful country house rose up to meet our arrival. My host was Betsy Grim, now retired after many years at some federal agency that I can’t name (but it has something to do with protecting the environment). And now Betsy leads a book club. The club I was about to meet.

As her guests arrived we were served prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine (sort of like champagne, but don’t repeat that to anyone French). Some great conversation with the early arrivals eventually led to their gruesome realization that they would all have to listen to me talk about my book. Or more accurately, about Nikola Tesla himself.

Tesla and the author

I don’t actually recall how long I talked. I do admit that only one person seemed to sleep through it all, but in all fairness it was one of Betsy’s grandchildren, a six-week old infant who graciously dozed from start to finish. Everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves, and I know I had a great time. Of course, everyone wanted a photo with the star of the event.

Nikola Tesla and friend

Afterwards (and even beforewards), I signed books to various attendees and the many loved ones for whom they were bought as gifts. Betsy duly supplied her suite of grandchildren with their own signed copies. Over two dozen books left with book club members, which made carrying the nearly empty box out much easier than lugging the full one in.

Book signing

In addition to the book event I’ve been getting weekly updates from my editor on the status of book sales in Barnes and Noble stores. He was ecstatic after the first week’s sales, but warned me the numbers would drop off eventually. Enthusiasm grew as the second week was even better; in fact, nearly twice as many flew off the shelves. Similar numbers for the third and fourth weeks in the store brought out the exclamation points! The Barnes and Noble closest to me was down to a single book yesterday after selling out their order…and reorder.

In short, we’ve sold out nearly two-thirds the print run, and it was a larger than normal print run. Sterling Publishers are looking at ordering a second printing, but if you haven’t gotten yours yet you better head out to the stores now because that second printing probably wouldn’t happen until next year. So go to Barnes and Noble stores, hit the barnesandnoble.com website, or order signed copies directly from me.

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Two Historic Events Regarding Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity

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Tesla: The Wizard of ElectricityTalk about having to wait a long time for delivery of a book. How about 9 months? Yep, that’s the time elapsed between being the first person to pay for Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and actually receiving delivery. It was one of two big events on August 15th, 2013.

As I wrote last November, I had donated a copy of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity to the silent auction at the annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). The ink on the manuscript was still wet, at least figuratively, and the cover design and title were still not finalized. So the “book” took the form of a short brochure on a padded backing. That facsimile received five bids, with the final bidder paying that amount to SETAC for its fund to help students building their scientific careers. I get a donation, the winner gets a book, and students get some much needed funding. Everyone wins.

Ah, but the book hadn’t actually been physically produced at that point. So the winning bidder, Diana Eignor, waited patiently for nine full months to receive her book. She even attended my book launch party in July this year, only to find that a delay in shipment meant I still didn’t have any books. Yesterday we remedied that by meeting for lunch on the plaza near her office, which given that the SETAC meeting had been in Long Beach, California, fortuitously turned out to be only a short walk from my own office in Washington DC. After some great food and delightful conversation I signed and inscribed the book over to her. The longest waiting book delivery ever (at least for my book).

The second big event yesterday was even more astonishing. I made the front page of my hometown newspaper, the Ipswich Chronicle. Growing up in a relatively small town in New England was something I probably didn’t appreciate enough when I lived there but I definitely appreciate every time I go back to where my parents and much of my extended family still resides. It’s my detox place. A way to shed the high stress craziness of the Washington DC area and remind myself what is really important in life.

I did know that a profile article on me was in the works. A freelance writer named Beverly Perna had been contracted by the paper’s editor to interview me and write up a piece about a “local boy done good.” We’ve actually been waiting a month for a slot to open up so it could be printed. Yesterday (August 15) was that slot. What was surprising is that the article made the front page! With a photo of me holding my Tesla book. The very nice article continues from page 1 onto page 3.

I can’t wait to see it. Yes, as exciting as this event is I have yet to actually see it in print. I received a call from my parents and Facebook notes from friends, but since I’m several hundred miles away I haven’t seen the paper yet. They will post the article in a few days on the website version of their paper (Wicked Local Ipswich), and when it’s up I’ll be sure to post a link on my Facebook author’s page. After all, now I’m a celebrity. 🙂

All in all a nicely exciting week.

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Quick Update on Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity

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Tesla: The Wizard of ElectricityBusy day here in Tesla-land, but here’s a quick update on what is going on with Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity.

Book signing – Today I’ll do a book signing at a private residence in Virginia. About 20 people are expected and, unlike my previous events and launch party, I actually have books to sign. I’ll have more details and photos after the event.

Book reviews – Reviews and ratings on Goodreads have been very good. If you’ve read the book, please leave a 5 star rating. If you’re into reviews, please leave one of any length to help others decide.

Book sales – Sales continued to be outstanding for the second week the book was in stores, almost doubling that of the first week. I should be able to get the numbers for the third week tomorrow, but all three Barnes and Noble stores had reordered once or twice to refill stock flying off the shelves.

Book availability – Because of strong store sales, the publisher has emptied out the warehouse. So when you go to the barnesandnoble.com website you’ll be able to download the ebook but will be directed to your local brick-and-mortar store to buy a hard copy. Of course, you can always buy a signed hard copy from me on my Buy the Book page.

Magazine articles – I should have the cover story of WIRE magazine for Science Panorama coming out shortly. The topic – Tesla, of course. Also, Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity should be prominently featured in the next issue of Tesla Magazine.

Featured profile – A profile on me should be published this Thursday (or the next) in my hometown newspaper, the Ipswich Chronicle. Once it makes it into print I’ll update on my Tesla Events and Speaking Engagements page.

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Update on Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity

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Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and David J. KentA short update on Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity. In a word, woo hoo! (Hmm, that might be two words, but you get the picture.)

Because of the great support by all of you, sales of the book have been brisk. After an amazing first week in Barnes and Noble stores we were happy to see that the second week sold nearly double that amount. Add in online sales, ebooks, and the signed books people have ordered directly from me and everyone is feeling pretty good right now.

The book has done so well that the publisher is contemplating the idea of ordering a second printing. The fact that they are even thinking about another printing after only two weeks in the stores is a great sign. Especially since the first printing was a bigger order than most non-fiction books get these days.

Meanwhile, reviews are slowly being added to Goodreads and the Barnes and Noble website. If you’ve read the book, or plan to, please help others decide by writing a short review and giving it a (hopefully 5 star) rating. If you’re not the review-writer type, no problem, you can still rate it without a review. So far the reviews have been very positive.

Other things going on? Well, I’ll have the cover story in WIRE magazine coming out shortly, will have a prominent spot in the next issue of Tesla magazine, and Thursday there should be a profile article in my hometown newspaper. This weekend I will also be doing a book signing in an exclusive invitation-only event in northern Virginia. Busy days, these.

While they last you can buy the book at your local Barnes and Noble store. Or order Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity on BarnesandNoble.com, and either as hardcover or Nook ebook. And if you want a signed copy you can order it directly from me.

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Tesla Shrugged? Was John Galt Based on Nikola Tesla?

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Nikola TeslaWho was John Galt? A particularly interesting idea is that Ayn Rand’s fictional character from Atlas Shrugged was at least partially patterned after Nikola Tesla. After all, Galt had studied physics and became an engineer, then designed a “revolutionary new motor powered by ambient static electricity.” Galt became frustrated when the company he worked at embraced collectivism and he walked out, leaving his new motor behind.

This story plays well with Nikola Tesla’s actual history, at least when it is infused with some speculation that perhaps extends well beyond actual fact. Tesla obviously studied physics and became an electrical engineer. He designed a revolutionary new motor powered by alternating current and experimented with electrostatic electricity. And like Galt, Tesla became frustrated with the corporatism of working for Edison.

Rand even alludes to Tesla coils—“It was the coil that I noticed first…Those men, long ago, tried to invent a motor that would draw static electricity from the atmosphere, convert it and create its own power as it went along.” While there are clear departures from Tesla in the Galt character, these changes are certainly within the normal realm of creative writing. Atlas Shrugged is, after all, a novel.

The key to the thread is that John Galt, like Nikola Tesla, was interested in the production of what effectively would be “free energy.” Virtually all costs associated with electrical power generation, transmission, and use would be eliminated. Tesla had discovered what he called “terrestrial stationary waves” in his laboratory in Colorado Springs. The Earth could transmit power—acting as a conductor that would be as responsive, and controllable, as a tuning fork. With this knowledge Tesla was able to light two hundred lamps without the use of wires. Returning to New York, Tesla planned to develop not only wireless communication in his new facility at Wardenclyffe, but wireless power freely distributed to all through the Earth’s surface.

With this as a base, the John Galt connection—creating free energy from static electricity—is sometimes extended to include Wilhelm Reich. Reich claimed to have discovered what he called “orgone,” which was a physical energy contained in all living matter as well as in the atmosphere. He believed that this orgone could generate “free, useable energy.” Galt, Reich, and Tesla all discovered “free energy.” So where is it? Why do we have to pay the electrical utility for our power and wait for them to get power back on after a storm? Well, according to the conspiracy theorist, it is because the few people with political and corporate power do not want the rest of us to take away their profits by having access to energy that is “free.”

What do you think?

[Adapted from Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity]

David J. Kent is an avid science traveler and the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, now available. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World (both Fall River Press). He has also written two e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

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Reviews are in for Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity

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Tesla: The Wizard of ElectricityTesla: The Wizard of Electricity is finally in Barnes and Noble stores this week (I saw actual books on the shelves!). Books are also being shipped out to those who ordered through barnesandnoble.com or directly from me (for signed copies). And now reviews of the book are beginning to be posted.

A few highlights taken from reviews at Goodreads:

From Chuck Larlham (Author of The Old Man and Me: Extraordinary Stories of an Ordinary Childhood Post WWII, a memoir to be released September 19th under the name R.C. Larlham):

“I enjoyed this biography of Nikola Tesla immensely.”

“In this book, David Kent takes an easy reading style of writing to the mysteries that were Nikola Tesla, making for a truly fascinating read. In the process he humanizes the man who many of his own day, and in his own profession, dismissed as beyond eccentric, but a man who was also capable of astoundingly original inventive genius.”

“I enjoyed the book no end, and I really had no interest in Tesla until I read it. But I found it (and him) fascinating.” (via private message)

From Esa Ruoho (http://www.lackluster.org/):

“Oodles and oodles of images. Quite a decent compilation / reorganisational effort by the author…”

“Beautiful and attractive design, quick to read, good biography to start with…Nice selection of quotes from Tesla’s articles, footnotes-galore…”

“Some of the chapters detailing Tesla as a pop-culture phenomenon were quite informative, and it is good to see that the cult of Tesla (the conspiracy theories, Tesla as a venusian ET alien) were discussed head-on and without flinching.”

From Ru Sun, PhD, Statistician

“A great book!”

“This book does a wonderful job of introducing this eccentric genius to the general public – his upbringing and talents, his ideas and inventions, his unique and weird personality, his life from start to finish.”

“I can say without hesitation that Nikola Tesla, brought alive by this book, will inspire followers from all over the world for many years to come.”

Look back at other snippets from reviews. So far the reviews have been very positive. If you’ve read the book, please take a few minutes to write your thoughts at barnesandnoble.com, Goodreads, and anywhere else you post book reviews.

Feel free to spread the word. Thank you all for your support and happy reading!

Order Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity now, exclusively at BarnesandNoble.com, and either as hardcover or Nook ebook.

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Nikola Tesla and me at Barnes and Noble

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For anyone who may have missed it – Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity is now in Barnes and Noble bookstores. Sterling Publishing is a subsidiary of B&N so the book is initially available exclusively at Barnes and Noble bookstores, on BarnesandNoble.com (and BN.com), and better yet, directly from me on this Science Traveler website. [Any books bought directly will come signed by me.]

Today I stopped by the Barnes and Noble bookstore in downtown Washington DC. I met with several of the friendliest staff you can ever imagine – these people love books! They were very happy to show me that the stack of books is prominently stacked right inside the main door. I even had my photo taken.

Barnes and Noble DC 23July2013

While I was there I happily signed each and every book they had in stock, plus slipped in a free bookmark for good measure. The fantastic staff added a sticker to the cover highlighting that it was “Author Signed.” Very cool, if I do say so myself. I’ll be stopping by other area Barnes and Noble stores to sign their stock as well, so look for books with the extra stickers on the front.

So you have three ways to get a copy of the book:

1) Purchase it online at barnesandnoble.com. You can get it as a hardcover or a Nook e-book. Or both.

2) Head down to your local Barnes and Noble store. Or,

3) Buy it direct from me on this website. I’ll sign every book ordered directly from me, and add an inscription to anyone of your choosing if you send me an email. The books make great gifts.

Be sure to write a review on the BarnesandNoble.com and Goodreads websites when you finish reading. Here are other ways you can help Spread the Word.

I’m off to write an article for WIRE Magazine (more on that later). I’ll also be following up with some of the feedback I’ve received on the book.

Order Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity now!

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Tesla books have finally arrived!

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Books are hereGood news. My Tesla books have now arrived, and only days after I missed at least 5 opportunities to sell them directly to Tesla aficionados. So all you folks who said you wanted a signed book are now in luck – you can order them direct from me.

Of course, the “ultra simple WP PayPal shopping cart” turns out to be more than a little mis-named, given how I’ve been working for hours to get it up and running. Notwithstanding these trials and tribulations, I have managed to get a shopping cart feature set up. I think. So here is the procedure:

To order, you can click on the picture of the book on the home page. Or you can go directly to the “Buy the Book“ page from the menu above. Once there you can enter the number of books you want and click on “Add to Cart.” Then head back to the home page.

Immediately below the picture of the book on the home page you’ll see a shopping cart, which should have your book(s) listed. Double check the quantity, then click on “Checkout.” That will take you to the PayPal site where you make payment and enter your mailing address for shipment. I will sign all books ordered directly from me!

If you want a special inscription, please email to me at davidjkent.writer@gmail.com.

I’m still working on getting a proper shopping cart system set up, but this should get everyone their books quickly.

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Nikola Tesla All Week Long

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The past week seemed like all-Tesla, all the time. First there was my trip North for some 4th of July festivities, including a parade and the Clam Box. There was a lot of Nikola Tesla even in those events, mostly in the form of queries from my relatives about where the heck my Tesla books were hiding. More on that in a moment.

Clam Box

Then there was a “meet and greet” that had originally been planned as a “beer with an old high school buddy” but morphed into reunion of sorts with about a dozen high school friends and a former teacher.

Old friends

A quick tour of Agassiz Rock (a Lincoln and science connection I’ll discuss later), the “Big Rock” at Stage Fort Park near Hammond Castle (a Tesla connection I’ll also discuss later), and Rockport’s fabulous Bearskin Neck (the last of the “rock” triad), then on to Tesla Days. Tesla Days is a four day celebration of Nikola Tesla, culminating in a midnight cake and theremin serenade, since by now you all know that Tesla was born during a lightning storm as the 9th thundered into the 10th of July 1856.

On the weekend, the grounds in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia included many inventions by, and inspired by, Tesla. Sunday night was a reception featuring Balkan wine, some fascinating speakers, and a theremin-led concert by Mano Divina and the Divine Hand musicians. It was great to meet up with the writer of the critically acclaimed and sold out Tesla off-Broadway play, Sheri Graubert, along with lead actor Jack Dimich, who played the older Tesla. I also met author W. Bernard Carlson and Nenad Stankovic, publisher of the new Tesla Magazine (in which I have a feature article on Wardenclyffe).

Tesla Magazine, first issue July 2013

Tuesday was Film, Art, and Music day. I presented my new book, Tesla: the Wizard of Electricity. Other authors and artists gave presentations and showed their artwork, with musical interludes in video and a live harpist. Kyle and Julian Driebeek, two teenagers who were inspired by Tesla at a very young age, explained why it was so important for Tesla to be taught in the schools today. I must admit I was flattered when Kyle encouraged everyone present to buy an extra copy of my book and donate it to local libraries and schools. This fits in well with the goal of my book – reach out to the general public as a “gateway” that will inspire people to learn more about Nikola Tesla.

David J. Kent - Tesla Days 2013

Tesla Days 2013 (Photo courtesy of Betsy Driebeek)

The week ended with a book launch party at my home, where about two dozen friends and colleagues joined in celebrating the release of Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity.

It was a tiring week, but a great week. Happy birthday, Nikola Tesla!

Due to a delay in getting books from the publisher I didn’t have books to sell to my extended family, my old friends, or at Tesla Days (though I did sign a lot of bookmarks). According to my editor, my copies should arrive any day now, but people who pre-ordered them through BarnesandNoble.com have already been receiving their copies (see, it pays to shop early). You can order Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity now, exclusively at BarnesandNoble.com, and either as hardcover or Nook ebook. I’ll also have some available directly from through this website shortly.

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