Synopses & Reviews
"A stellar example of historical investigation at its probing best."Chuck Leddy, Boston GlobeThroughout his career, Alexander Graham Bell, one of the world's most famous inventors, was plagued by a secret: he stole the key idea behind the invention of the telephone. While researching at MIT, science journalist Seth Shulman scrutinized Bell's journals and within them found the smoking gun: a hint of deeply buried historical deception. Delving further into Bell's life, Shulman unearthed the surprising story behind the telephone, a tale of romance, corruption, and unchecked ambition.
"A page-turner....The Telephone Gambit is solid history, and Seth Shulman makes it as much fun to read as an Agatha Christie whodunit by using the techniques of historiography the way Hercule Poirot used his 'little gray cells.' That's no small accomplishment."John Steele Gordon, Wall Street Journal
"A portrait of the thrilling era of innovation in which Bell lived....Succeeds splendidly as an edge-of-your seat historical tale."Marjorie Kehe, Christian Science Monitor
Review
"A page-turner....The Telephone Gambit is solid history, and Seth Shulman makes it as much fun to read as an Agatha Christie whodunit by using the techniques of historiography the way Hercule Poirot used his 'little gray cells.' That's no small accomplishment." John Steele Gordon
Review
"A portrait of the thrilling era of innovation in which Bell lived....Succeeds splendidly as an edge-of-your seat historical tale." Marjorie Kehe
Review
"Seth Shulman's The Telephone Gambit masterfully breathes life into a long-forgotten controversy." Marjorie Kehe Christian Science Monitor
Review
"Masterful...[the] story never flags....an intrepid journalist-turned-historian's quest for the true story of the invention of the telephone." Entertainment Weekly
Review
"Starred Review. Rewrites history even as it immediately lures readers with scandal and iconoclasm." Christian Science Monitor
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"A great tale of historic detection." Booklist
Review
"A dramatic probe into a shocking intellectual theft...the skillful, polished writing makes century-old events spring to life." New Scientist
Synopsis
"A stellar example of historical investigation at its probing best."--Chuck Leddy,
Synopsis
Throughout his career, Alexander Graham Bell, one of the world's most famous inventors, was plagued by a secret: he stole the key idea behind the invention of the telephone. While researching at MIT, science journalist Seth Shulman scrutinized Bell's journals and within them found the smoking gun: a hint of deeply buried historical deception. Delving further into Bell's life, Shulman unearthed the surprising story behind the telephone, a tale of romance, corruption, and unchecked ambition.
Synopsis
Throughout his career, Alexander Graham Bell, one of the world's most famous inventors, was plagued by a secret: he stole the key idea behind the invention of the telephone. While researching at MIT, science journalist Seth Shulman scrutinized Bell's journals and within them found the smoking gun: a hint of deeply buried historical deception. Delving further into Bell's life, Shulman unearthed the surprising story behind the telephone, a tale of romance, corruption, and unchecked ambition.
Synopsis
While researching Alexander Graham Bell at MIT"s Dibner Institute, Seth Shulman scrutinized Bell"s journals and within them he found the smoking gun, a hint of deeply buried historical intrigue. Delving further, Shulman unearthed the surprising story behind the invention of the telephone: a tale of romance, corruption, and unchecked ambition. Bell furtively'"and illegally'"copied part of Elisha Gray"s invention in the race to secure what would become the most valuable U.S. patent ever issued. And afterward, as Bell"s device led to the world"s largest monopoly, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, he hid his invention"s illicit beginnings. In The Telephone Gambit, Shulman challenges the reputation of an icon of invention, rocks the foundation of a corporate behemoth, and offers a probing meditation on how little we know about our own history.
About the Author
Seth Shulman is an author, editor, and journalist specializing in issues in science, technology, and the environment. His most recent books include Unlocking the Sky and Owning the Future. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.