About this title: Longitude, Dava Sobel's no.1 bestseller, is the elegant biography of the lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his times. With new material from Dava Sobel and William Andrewes, and illustrated with over 200 integrated photographs, The Illustrated Longitude is the essential book for everyone who fell in love with John Harrison ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9781841152332ISBN:1841152331
Description: Acceptable. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: FOURTH ESTATE LTD.
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9781857027143ISBN:1857027140
Description: Published by Fourth Estate Ltd. in 1998. Paperback. Number of pages: 240. Condition: Very Good. May show some slight signs of wear. With Index. Wide format. Generously illustrated with photographs and reproductions. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd
Date Published: 29/10/1998
ISBN-13:9781857027143ISBN:1857027140
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd
Date Published: 29/10/1998
ISBN-13:9781857027143ISBN:1857027140
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd
Date Published: 29/10/1998
ISBN-13:9781857027143ISBN:1857027140
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 04/11/1999
ISBN-13:9781841152332ISBN:1841152331
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Date Published: 04/11/1999
ISBN-13:9781841152332ISBN:1841152331
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Fourth Estate, London
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9781841152332ISBN:1841152331
Description: Very Good. 4to-over 9¾"-12" tall. UK reprint in soft cover format, square 4to, 216pp, photo illustrations; card covers showing signs of light use but essentially safely VG Copy; the illustrated edition of Longitude. read more
Description: Good. 1841152331 Soft Cover in good used condition. The text is unmarked and the binding is tight. The covers show moderate to heavy wear/scratching. Used but still 100% readable and functional. Fast shipping & FREE delivery confirmation for US orders! A trusted five-star seller. No hassle return policy--your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Thank you for supporting our home-based business! read more
Description: Good. Light shelving wear with minimal damage to cover and bindings. Pages show minor use. Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read. Recycle and Reuse! read more
Edition: 2nd Print
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Fourth Estate Publ., London
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9781857027143ISBN:1857027140
Description: Fine in Fine jacket. 10 1/2" NOT an ex library book. Clean interior pages. Dust jacket has no chips or tears, price is not clipped. read more
"Why would anyone refuse to acknowledge the solution to a persistent and often deadly problem? Dava Sobel's recounting of the solving of the longitude question which had vexed sailors and mapmakers for centuries shows that politics and self-interest are nothing new in serving as obstacles to progress and reform.
Recounting the scientific issues in the context of the human ones, she creates an absorbing and revealing parallel to many issues that demand the world's attention now.
Those who claim to know the answers and who dismiss anything that does not conform to their own view even in the face of mounting evidence, those who refuse to step outside a well-worn narrow pathway--they still block action that could save lives and life now, and, especially, in the long run. John Harrison's battle still resonates."
"A terrific biography of John Harrison, the eighteenth century horological genius who invented the chronometer (an accurate timepiece which allowed navigators to reliably fix their longitude anywhere in the world). Sailors had been determining their latitude (north-south position) by observing the heavens since ancient times, but longitude (east-west position) was always a different story (since the earth is in constant motion toward the east and there is no fixed reference point in the sky). Harrison devoted practically his entire life to the invention of his device. In addition to the engineering difficulties involved, he had to work against the very strong bias which existed at the time against some sort of mechanical solution and in favor of a solution based purely on astronomical observation. The story of how Harrison eventually proved them wrong-but almost lost anyway-is told here with delightful and engaging skill."
"Rivetting, fast read of the global pursuit of the solution to a navigation problem that improved our knowledge of astronomy, the speed of light and quite possibly created the British colonial empire. My one quibble: it needs illustrations. The somewhat arcane discussion of how to figure longitude by the celestial clock, in particular, and the tools developed for this approach would benefit from some pictures and diagrams: There are none. This isn't necessarily the author's fault, but it's the book that's being reviewed."
"This book had its moments. It definitely had an important historical story to tell. At times, though I found myself thinking that this is just a good story you hear in a museum or a history class.
That is not to downplay the importance of John Harrison's clock but just to say that it's a good story with some intrigue but I feel like I could've gotten the gist of the story much more quickly and not have lost that much.
Interesting, but a bit long maybe for anyone who isn't a nautical or clock making junkie."
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