NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edmund Morris comes a revelatory new biography of Thomas Alva Edison, the most prolific genius in American history.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • Publishers Weekly • Kirkus Reviews
Thomas Alva Edison remains an international name, often remembered for his role in the invention of the first practical incandescent lamp, which dazzled the world over 140 years ago. This biography captures more than just the inventor of electric light; it unveils Edison as a multifaceted figure rarely celebrated in his entirety. This near-deaf genius patented 1,093 inventions and contributed to many advancements, including the X-ray fluoroscope.
For the first time in over twenty years, Morris's biography showcases the unknown Edison—the philosopher, futurist, chemist, botanist, and defense adviser—offering insights that go beyond the legends. With literary elegance, Morris expertly navigates Edison's fifty-year obsession with recording technology and his pioneering synchronization of movies and sound.
Relying on seven years of thorough research within the five million pages of original documents from Edison’s vast laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, and access to family papers, this biography breathes life into Edison's character. From his complexities as a husband and father to the driving force behind his creativity, Morris portrays a man who, while less a sentimental hero, is an overwhelming force of nature.
As Edison finally receives his due through this compelling biography, readers are invited to delve into the rich and intricate life of one of America's greatest inventors.
