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bargainsleuth's review against another edition
3.0
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After reading the reviews and finding out that Morris, whom I'm no fan of after his horrible biography of Ronald Reagan, decided with his editor to write the story of Edison's life backwards, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. Then I did what any self-respecting reader who prefers chronological biographies would do: I read it backwards, starting with part 8 and working my way back to the Prologue. It was an interesting book when read that way. I think I would have been frustrated had I read it the way it was laid out, because part 1 refers to inventions and patents that come up in part 5 and 6. So the gimmick didn't work for me. I still wonder how Morris won the Pulitzer, because I found his books on Theodore Roosevelt just okay, not spectacular. Same with this book. It was interesting, but not outstanding.
After reading the reviews and finding out that Morris, whom I'm no fan of after his horrible biography of Ronald Reagan, decided with his editor to write the story of Edison's life backwards, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. Then I did what any self-respecting reader who prefers chronological biographies would do: I read it backwards, starting with part 8 and working my way back to the Prologue. It was an interesting book when read that way. I think I would have been frustrated had I read it the way it was laid out, because part 1 refers to inventions and patents that come up in part 5 and 6. So the gimmick didn't work for me. I still wonder how Morris won the Pulitzer, because I found his books on Theodore Roosevelt just okay, not spectacular. Same with this book. It was interesting, but not outstanding.
kleonard's review against another edition
1.0
Just because he's Edmund Morris and famous as a quasi-biographer doesn't mean he should get a pass on using offensive language ("gypsy"), fatphobia, or sexualizing the women in the history. Where was his editor? In addition, it's clear from his descriptions of the technology he writes about that he doesn't quite understand it fully, and this means that there are errors of both omission and commission. Finally, Morris's adoration of Edison is tiresome after the first page. I wanted to read a biography, not a hagiography.
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
Really intriguing read. Edison is an interesting person and I think the quirk of having the story told backwards fits him, and his story. Really enjoyed the complexity it added to the story. The context of Edison life and his interactions with contemporaries was enjoyable and the flow of the text was great.
kevenwang's review against another edition
4.0
I took off a star. Because of the reverse chronological order. I would think Edmund’s intention was that most people are more aware of Edisons’ early invention
But this reverse chronological order makes it harder for me to have a big picture of Edison’s accomplishments
But this reverse chronological order makes it harder for me to have a big picture of Edison’s accomplishments
itsautumntime9's review against another edition
DNF a few hours in. So bored. And I felt it was jumping around a lot. I was expecting something more straight forward.
ceroon56's review against another edition
2.0
The reverse chronology killed this for me. I had to keep reading to discover the back story of all of the characters and situations presented. Plus some of the technical information was way too dense.
cfulton20's review against another edition
Arthur Morey (Narrator)
Just too much technical information for me to enjoy the story
Just too much technical information for me to enjoy the story
princesszinza's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for the free e-book in exchange for a review.
I really enjoyed this book in the beginning - or should I say at the end? This biography is written Benjamin Button's style, starting with Edison's death and then going backwards. I found Edison's micromanagement and interest in the tiniest details of his company fascinating. Who knew that Edison spent so much effort to find a domestic plant to make into rubber?
This book's unique format made it so that I was fully immersed in Edison's later innovations. This made for quick page turning at first, but as I continued reading I became confused in the timelines and ultimately lost interest.
Edmund Morris did a massive amount of research. This biography is perfect for someone who wants to know everything about Edison's business. Unfortunately, I learned enough in the first couple hundred pages and stopped reading. Maybe I'll pick it up later and finish.
I really enjoyed this book in the beginning - or should I say at the end? This biography is written Benjamin Button's style, starting with Edison's death and then going backwards. I found Edison's micromanagement and interest in the tiniest details of his company fascinating. Who knew that Edison spent so much effort to find a domestic plant to make into rubber?
This book's unique format made it so that I was fully immersed in Edison's later innovations. This made for quick page turning at first, but as I continued reading I became confused in the timelines and ultimately lost interest.
Edmund Morris did a massive amount of research. This biography is perfect for someone who wants to know everything about Edison's business. Unfortunately, I learned enough in the first couple hundred pages and stopped reading. Maybe I'll pick it up later and finish.