The Illustrated Longitude - Hardcover

Sobel, Dava; Andrewes, William J. H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802713440 ISBN 13: 9780802713445

Publisher: Walker & Co, 1998

Synopsis

A new illustrated edition of the best-selling Longitude chronicles the tale of the eighteenth-century inventor John Harrison, who created the chronometer and, in the process, saved thousands of lives and great fortunes.

About this title

Review:

The thorniest scientific problem of the eighteenth century was how to determine longitude. Many thousands of lives had been lost at sea over the centuries due to the inability to determine an east-west position. This is the engrossing story of the clockmaker, John "Longitude" Harrison, who solved the problem that Newton and Galileo had failed to conquer, yet claimed only half the promised rich reward.

Review:

‘Perhaps the most famous book about getting lost since “The Odyssey”.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘An extraordinary tale of political intrigue and academic back-biting, of intellectual brilliance, and mechanical genius, of heroic endeavours and downright dishonesty ... a superb achievement.’ Spectator

‘A true life thriller, jam-packed with political intrigue, international warfare, personal feuds and financial skullduggery.’ Daily Mail

‘Rarely have I enjoyed a book as much as Dava Sobel's “Longitude”. She has an extraordinary gift of making difficult ideas clear.’ Daily Telegraph

‘This brief history of time is a fine tribute to a man who changed the world.’ Irish Times

‘Dava Sobel has written a gem of a book ... one of the best reads for the non-scientific to come along for many a moon.’ Financial Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker & Co
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0802713440
• ISBN 13: 9780802713445
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 216