纪录片《美国商业大亨传奇》 掌控全局(1)

If Morgan loses,he risks ruining his reputation, and his name.

如果摩根失败 他就很有可能会毁掉自己的声望和名誉

Morgan ratchets up the pressure on Edison,telling him to take out the competition in any way he can

摩根对爱迪生施加的压力越来越大 告诉他务必设法除掉竞争

J.P.Morgan was, really,an extraordinary character.

J·P·摩根是一个非凡的角色

He was steely-eyed, determined¹, very smart,and somebody who had that characteristic "I'll take charge". And he did.

他非常坚毅 果敢 聪慧过人 还有一种舍我其谁的气势

Feeling the pressure from Morgan,Edison sets out on a mission to prove his direct current is the safest form of electricity.

感觉到来自摩根的压力 爱迪生启动了一项计划 他要证明直流电是最安全的

The War of the Electric Currents is the dark side of Thomas Edison.

电流之争展示了托马斯·爱迪生的阴暗面

The tactic² that Edison took was to persuade people that alternating current was the killer³ current.

爱迪生采取的策略是告诫大众 交流电是人类杀手

It is a side of Edison we don't normally see.

这是爱迪生鲜为人知的一面

He begins using Tesla's alternating current in a series of demonstrations,hoping to scare the public about AC's power.

他开始使用特斯拉的交流电进行一系列演示 希望吓退公众对交流电的兴趣

Edison used all sorts of dirty tricks to try to discredit⁴ AC.

爱迪生用尽了各种肮脏伎俩试图败坏交流电的名声

He killed animals before an audience.

包括在观众面前电死动物

But nothing seems to be slowing the enthusiasm for Tesla's stronger current.

但没有任何事情能够阻碍特斯拉对更强电流的热情

Growing ever more desperate to please Morgan,Edison is relieved when a letter arrives that could be his opportunity.

爱迪生比以往任何时候都更想取悦摩根 这时收到的一封信可能将成为他的机会

A New York state prison has been looking to replace hanging as a means of execution.

一所纽约州监狱正尝试使用其它死刑执行方法取代绞刑

Many have come to believe that the medieval method is cruel and inhumane.

很多人都开始相信 中世纪的这种方式既残暴 又不人道

Electricity could provide a useful alternative.

电或许能够提供一种有用的备选

The design Edison envisions is simple,yet groundbreaking.

爱迪生的设计很简单但却具有开创性

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

3 killer   

n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者

参考例句：

• Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
• The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。

4 discredit   

vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑

参考例句：

• Their behaviour has bought discredit on English football.他们的行为败坏了英国足球运动的声誉。
• They no longer try to discredit the technology itself.他们不再试图怀疑这种技术本身。