The Tesla Files Book Review

When asked to name an electric car brand, most people would likely say Tesla—and might even stop there. There’s no question the brand has made its name omnipresent, but what happens behind its closed doors has been a mystery… until now.

Reading “The Tesla Files,” I’m reminded of two famous stories: The Wizard of Oz and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Both involved grand claims largely accepted without question, only to be later revealed as far less extraordinary. “The Tesla Files” points to examples of how Tesla has made giant claims and, in many cases, has yet to deliver on them. In some instances, these claims appear to have been linked to accidents involving its vehicles, and the company has seemingly hindered investigations into those accidents, making them very difficult or even functionally impossible.

It all started with a whistleblower. A former Tesla employee contacted the team at the German business newspaper Handelsblatt with shocking details. The team then meticulously worked to determine the accuracy of their source, and once confirmed, the floodgates opened. With a huge amount of data to sort through, serious considerations arose, not least of all how to proceed. Dealing with the world’s richest man, known for his readiness to use lawsuits, necessitates careful legal consultation to avoid significant trouble.

“The Tesla Files” doesn’t just offer an inside look into Tesla’s workings and an insight into Elon Musk; it also provides a fascinating glimpse into how a team of journalists establishes the validity of claims they’re presented with and how they then build a story around that information. When you have more or less a company’s entire business activities in digital files, the process of distilling that into practical, compelling narratives is a fascinating story in itself.

Final Thoughts?

Whether you’re interested in an inside look at Tesla’s operations—from its treatment of staff and customers to its handling of product “issues”—or you want to understand the intricate process of journalistic investigation, The Tesla Files is a fantastic read. Be prepared for potential frustration over what may appear as injustices, but take heart in knowing there are people willing to stand up against injustice and get information to the public to hold individuals and businesses to greater account.