This historic novel tells the story of the conflict and
competition between Nikola Tesla, George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison. It does not make Edison look good! It is
based on the actual legal battles between Westinghouse and Edison. It is from the perspective of Westinghouse’s
attorney, Paul Cravath. It has a bit of everything from espionage to attempted
murder and one is always guessing who is responsible for each.
Tesla is at the center of all things. His work with electricity
and the light bulb are central to the conflict. Edison was the first to patent
the light bulb but according to the story actually got the patent prior to
completing his light bulb. Tesla could care less about the patent as he was
much more interested in creating a better product. Westinghouse wanted the patent
for the better light bulb and was willing to go to great lengths to get it.
Edison was backed by JP Morgan and benefited greatly for that relationship.
There was a court case over the patent of the light bulb and
Westinghouse eventually won the right to produce his own light bulb without
having to pay Edison for each one he produced.
Tesla would go on the produce many electrical improvements. Those are
facts and the book makes the facts come alive by adding the elements of legal
competition to the story. Cravath has to
run back and forth between Pittsburgh and New York to serve his client. He focuses on his one client while letting
other things slide and is taken advantage of in the process. His relationships
with colleagues, with his socialite girlfriend and others have many ups and
downs giving the reader a reason to continue.
I liked the book and feel it was even more
interesting than The Sherlockain we read earlier by Graham Moore. 
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