📖 Overview
Tim Higgins is a journalist at The Wall Street Journal who covers technology, automobiles, and business, with a particular focus on Tesla and electric vehicles. He gained widespread recognition for his 2021 book "Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century," which chronicled the history of Tesla and Elon Musk's involvement with the company.
Prior to joining The Wall Street Journal in 2016, Higgins reported for Bloomberg News and the Detroit Free Press, where he covered the automotive industry and the 2008-2009 financial crisis. His reporting on automotive companies and tech firms has earned several awards, including recognition from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
Higgins' work frequently appears in major media outlets, and he is regularly sought after for his expertise on Tesla, electric vehicles, and the intersection of technology and transportation. His reporting has provided detailed insights into Tesla's corporate culture, manufacturing challenges, and the company's complex relationship with its CEO Elon Musk.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Tim Higgins as a meticulous business reporter whose work focuses heavily on Tesla and the auto industry. His book "Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century" received 4.4/5 stars on Amazon (2,400+ reviews) and 4.2/5 on Goodreads (5,800+ reviews).
Readers appreciated:
- Deep research and insider interviews
- Balanced coverage of Tesla's history
- Clear explanations of technical concepts
- Focus on business details over personality drama
Common criticisms:
- Perceived negative bias against Elon Musk
- Too much focus on early Tesla history
- Lack of technical depth on engineering aspects
- Writing style can be dry
Multiple readers noted the book provides a more skeptical view than other Tesla accounts. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Finally a book that cuts through the Musk mythology." A Goodreads critic countered: "The author seems determined to credit everyone except Musk for Tesla's success."
📚 Books by Tim Higgins
Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century (2021)
A detailed examination of Tesla's journey from startup to automotive giant, chronicling the internal conflicts, manufacturing challenges, and Elon Musk's pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory based on extensive interviews and insider accounts.
👥 Similar authors
Walter Isaacson has written investigative biographies of tech leaders and innovators, including Elon Musk and Steve Jobs. His direct access to subjects and deep research methods parallel Higgins' approach to covering Tesla and Silicon Valley.
Bethany McLean specializes in exposing corporate scandals and investigating complex business stories, as seen in her coverage of Enron and Tesla. She shares Higgins' focus on detailed reporting and understanding of corporate dynamics.
Charles Duhigg writes about business transformation and corporate behavior through deep reporting and analysis. His work on companies like Apple and General Motors reflects similar attention to organizational dynamics that Higgins brings to his Tesla coverage.
John Carreyrou investigated and exposed corporate misconduct at Theranos through detailed reporting and source development. His methodical approach to uncovering truth in tech companies mirrors Higgins' work on Tesla.
Brad Stone focuses on tech companies and their founders, particularly through his coverage of Amazon and Jeff Bezos. His examination of how tech leaders build and run companies aligns with Higgins' analysis of Musk and Tesla.
Bethany McLean specializes in exposing corporate scandals and investigating complex business stories, as seen in her coverage of Enron and Tesla. She shares Higgins' focus on detailed reporting and understanding of corporate dynamics.
Charles Duhigg writes about business transformation and corporate behavior through deep reporting and analysis. His work on companies like Apple and General Motors reflects similar attention to organizational dynamics that Higgins brings to his Tesla coverage.
John Carreyrou investigated and exposed corporate misconduct at Theranos through detailed reporting and source development. His methodical approach to uncovering truth in tech companies mirrors Higgins' work on Tesla.
Brad Stone focuses on tech companies and their founders, particularly through his coverage of Amazon and Jeff Bezos. His examination of how tech leaders build and run companies aligns with Higgins' analysis of Musk and Tesla.