Leonard DeGraaf

This is a museum-in-a-book -- the visual interest of lush exhibits (provided from several Edison nonprofits/philanthropies) and the information of a knowledgeable docent (here, the writing of archivist Leonard DeGraaf).

It’s a biography of Edison’s life and a chronicle of his work, including his invention of the electric light, phonograph, battery, motion picture, cement, rubber and ore mining. It’s also an examination of his work philosophy, and I was most interested to read about his interest in collaboration (expanding on others’ ideas; soliciting diverse employee skills and perspectives) and his all-out dedication to commercial inventions (things that people would buy):

“I am not a scientific man, I am an inventor. ...A scientific man busies himself with a theory. He is absolutely impractical. An inventor is essentially practical.”

While informative, the text feels a little dry and documentary (like a docent) rather than being an engaging narrative. Edison-philes won't mind that, but it did curb my enthusiasm.

(Review based on a copy of the book provided by the publisher.)… (meer)