Tesla’s Cottage is a beautifully woven mix of memoir, historical detective story, and tribute to Nikola Tesla’s human spirit, exploring his lesser-known years in Shoreham, Long Island, where he sought refuge and inspiration during the critical period of the Wardenclyffe project. What inspired you to share his story and its connection to you?

Too often, Nikola Tesla is seen as a strange individual who lacked human emotions. He is regarded to be a kook or even seen as an alien by some. My book focuses on Nikola Tesla as a human being: the motivations behind his work, his struggles, his warmth, his joys and happiness. It speaks to his daily life at Wardenclyffe the village where he had a lab and built his tower. Since I live in his former home there, I have a specific insight into what his life was like. I breathe the same air, see the same horizon, swim in the same water; I literally walk in his footsteps. I also have access to village lore as well as unpublished accounts written by residents who knew Tesla while he was here.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Tesla’s primary goal was the advancement of the human race. To this end, he invented the polyphase AC motor, wireless technology, remote control, electrotherapy applications and so, so much more. The purpose of his inventions was to achieve world peace, universal education, increased productivity, environmental sustainability, and provide abundant food to the world. Because he believed he could improve the human race in this way, he gave up everything that might be a distraction: a wife, a family, a home of his own, and personal profit.

What was the most challenging part of telling this story, and what was the most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect was probably the ten years of research that went into proving that Tesla did live in my house, discovering what his life was like, and discovering who his local friends (and enemies) were, etc. The most rewarding was coming face to face with the man, the human being behind the meme.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Tesla’s Cottage?

I hope that people come away with an accurate portrait of a very human person who dedicated his life for humanity. I also hope they come away with an idea that I believe Tesla would want to convey: technology is neutral. It can be used either for good or evil. Tesla believed that the only purpose of technology was to improve the human race. In today’s world, it is critical to ask if our vast technology is making us more intelligent, more compassionate, more open-minded, and safer; or, on the other hand, are we becoming intellectually lazy, more isolated, less tolerant, and more imperiled?

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