Tesla: Inventor of the Modern by Richard Munson is a meticulously researched biography that delves into the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla, one of history's most visionary yet underappreciated inventors. Drawing from Tesla's letters, technical notebooks, and other primary sources, Munson presents a comprehensive portrait of a man whose innovations laid the groundwork for many aspects of modern technology. 

Chapter list from Tesla: Inventor of the Modern by Richard Munson:

📘 Chapter List

• Introduction: Everywhere Is Energy

1. Born Between Today and Tomorrow

2. A Glorious Dream

3. Reverberation of Heaven's Artillery

4. A Whirling Field of Force

5. As Revolutionary as Gunpowder Was to Warfare

6. Order of the Flaming Sword

7. Divine Organ of Sight

8. Earthquakes and Friends

9. Fire and Robots

10. Like a God Controlling Nature's Power

11. Sheer Audacity

12. Too Much of a Poet and Visionary

13. So Far Ahead of His Time

• Epilogue: Boldness of Ignorance

• Appendix: The Marvel of Electricity

• Acknowledgments

• Notes

• Index

This structure provides a comprehensive exploration of Nikola Tesla's life, innovations, and enduring impact on modern technology.

🔧 A Visionary Ahead of His Time

Nikola Tesla's contributions to science and technology are vast and varied. He developed the alternating current (AC) system, which became the standard for electrical power transmission, and invented the induction motor, radio, remote control, and early concepts resembling modern cell phones and the Internet. Despite these groundbreaking achievements, Tesla struggled with commercializing his inventions, often overshadowed by contemporaries like Thomas Edison.

🧠 The Man Behind the Genius

Munson's biography doesn't just highlight Tesla's scientific accomplishments; it also offers insight into his complex personality. Tesla was known for his eccentricities, such as his obsession with cleanliness and his aversion to pearls, which he refused to touch. He was a solitary figure, often engrossed in his work to the detriment of his personal life. Munson portrays Tesla as a man driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, yet hindered by his lack of business acumen and social skills.

🌍 Lasting Impact

Although Tesla died impoverished and relatively unrecognized, his ideas have had a lasting impact on the world. His vision of wireless communication and power transmission has become a reality in today's interconnected world. Munson's biography serves to restore Tesla's rightful place in history, acknowledging both his extraordinary contributions and the challenges he faced.