• Author: Tim Higgins • Subject: The rise of Tesla and the role of Elon Musk — it’s non-fiction, business/tech history. • Published: 2021, ~400 pages. What the Book Covers • The book tells the dramatic, roller-coaster story of Tesla’s attempt to build the world’s first successful mass-market electric car — from early skepticism to global influence. • It situates Tesla’s journey as a clash between Silicon Valley ambition and the established auto-industry legacy (traditionally dominated by major automakers). • The narrative doesn’t shy away from controversies: the financial pressures, investor doubts, internal turmoil, and the personality and decisions of Elon Musk — which simultaneously drive and threaten the company. • Despite repeated near-failures, the book describes how a small group of engineers and believers overcame obstacles (technical, financial, institutional) — turning Tesla from a risky startup into a defining force for the future of automobiles. Themes & Takeaways • Innovation vs Tradition: The tension between an audacious startup trying to revolutionize transport, and a legacy auto industry stuck in old paradigms. • Risk, Vision, and Leadership: Exploration of how bold vision + personal ambition (via Elon Musk) can disrupt entire industries — but also how fragile that disruption can be. • Persistence & Reinvention: Tesla’s story as proof that perseverance and willingness to challenge norms can lead to success, even when odds seem stacked. • Tech + Business + Culture: Not just about cars — the book shows how electric vehicles intersect with business strategy, environmental politics, investor psychology, and Silicon Valley culture.