Tim Higgins received an interesting prepublication blurb for “Power Play,” his nonfiction account of Elon Musk’s car company. It was from Elon Musk.

In an author’s note, Higgins says Musk was given an opportunity to review and comment on the manuscript and replied simply: “Most, but not all, of what you read in this book is nonsense.” Not a surprising response, given he does not come off saintly.

Though not a saint, he may prove a savior. Remember the months after the pandemic hit, when gas guzzlers were largely off the road and you could step outside and see clear skies? That is Musk’s vision of an electric car future, one he’s pursued with single-minded fervor.

Certainly, the idea of electric cars is not new; several companies were working on one in 2003 when Tesla was founded by Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning. They brought in Musk despite his reputation for being difficult because they needed his cash. Also, he promised to be a passive investor. He was not.

He took over, forcing out anyone who disagreed with him (including eventually Eberhard). He set unachievable goals and fired anyone who pointed out his faulty reasoning. In the rush to meet unrealistic promises, defective cars were coming off the assembly line. In addition to being a poor manager, he made situations worse by doing dumb things.

And, yet, despite the distractions — he also runs Space X, the successful rocket company, and the Boring Co., which recently completed an innovative underground loop tunnel in Las Vegas — Tesla stands. It has produced one innovative vehicle after another.

Higgins, who covers technology and autos for the Wall Street Journal, has done an outstanding job. He’s performed a deep dive into the nuts and volts of Tesla. The only question he doesn’t answer is if the ends justified Musk’s means. Ultimately, the climate might say yes. But as for the people he tossed aside, well, not so much.