Items related to Fatal Attraction: Magnetic Mysteries of the Enlightenment
At the end of the 17th century, magnetism was a dark, mysterious force, known about since ancient Greece but still poorly understood. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, and magnetic expertise lay in the hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. This book tells the stories of three men who were lured by nature's strangest power. Edmond Halley set out to map the Earth's magnetic patterns and improve navigation, showing how science could help England to expand her empire. Gowin Knight, a poor clergyman's son, climbed to fame and fortune by developing powerful artificial magnets used in compasses, scientific experiments and popular magic tricks. And although Franz Mesmer claimed that his 'animal magnetism', based on harnessing invisible streams of magnetic fluid, was the revolutionary medicine of the future, he was ultimately denounced as a quack. The move from magnetic mysticism to celebrating scientific rationality is a microcosm of the Enlightenment itself. In this book the author portrays the colourful protagonists of the magnetic revolution in this tumultuous and turbulent age.
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Review:
‘A story that leaves Mesmer with the last word, mesmeric – an adjective that will do for the whole book’ -- Guardian
‘Fara is clear-headed, purposeful and full of expertise. She has the ability to write with drive, simplicity and lucidity.’ -- Roy Porter
‘One of Fara’s best books’ -- popularscience.co.uk
About the Author:
‘Fara is clear-headed, purposeful and full of expertise. She has the ability to write with drive, simplicity and lucidity.’ -- Roy Porter
‘One of Fara’s best books’ -- popularscience.co.uk
Patricia Fara is a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and lectures in the University's highly regarded History and Philosophy of Science Department. Her previous books include: An Entertainment for Angels (Icon 2002); Newton (Macmillan, 2002); Sex, Botany and Empire (Icon 2003) and Pandora's Breeches (Pimlico 2004).
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherIcon Books
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 1840466324
- ISBN 13 9781840466324
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages204
- Rating
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Fatal Attraction Magnetic Mysteries of the Enlightenment
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Book Description Condition: New. A deftly written story of nature's most mystreious force, magnetism, and the spell it cast over three champions of enlightenment. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, but its expertise lay in he hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. Num Pages: 204 pages, Illustrations, ports. BIC Classification: PDZ. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 198 x 129. Weight in Grams: 305. . 2005. First Edition. Hardcover. . . . . Seller Inventory # V9781840466324
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Fatal Attraction
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Book Description Condition: New. A deftly written story of nature's most mystreious force, magnetism, and the spell it cast over three champions of enlightenment. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, but its expertise lay in he hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. Num Pages: 204 pages, Illustrations, ports. BIC Classification: PDZ. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 198 x 129. Weight in Grams: 305. . 2005. First Edition. Hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # V9781840466324
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Fatal Attraction: Magnetic Mysteries of the Enlightenment
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. A deftly written story of nature's most mystreious force, magnetism, and the spell it cast over three champions of enlightenment. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, but its expertise lay in he hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. Seller Inventory # B9781840466324
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FATAL ATTRACTION: MAGNETIC MYSTE
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Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.66. Seller Inventory # Q-1840466324
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