Longitude
Subtitle: the true story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time
By: Dava Sobel ; with a foreword by Neil Armstrong
Contributors: Armstrong, Neil, 1930-2012, Author of introduction, etc
Publisher: MJF Books
Published: 2005
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 184
ISBN-13: 9781606712764
Subjects: Longitude; Measurement; History; Chronometers; Clock and watch makers; Biography
Description: The story of mariners' centuries-long search for ways of determining longitude that tells not only of the scientific advances but of the perseverance, pettiness, politics, & interesting anecdotes involved. Longitude is the dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest, and of John Harrison's forty-year obsession with building his perfect timekeeper, known today as the chronometer. Full of heroism and chicanery, brilliance and the absurd, it is also a fascinating brief history of astronomy, navigation, and clockmaking. Through Dava Sobel's consummate skill, Longitude will open a new window on our world for all who read it.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-180) and index.
Table of contents: title: Imaginary lines; title: Sea before time; title: Adrift in a clockwork universe; title: Time in a bottle; title: Powder of sympathy; title: Prize; title: Cogmaker's journal; title: Grasshopper goes to sea; title: Hands on Heaven's clock; title: Diamond timekeeper; title: Trial by fire and water; title: Tale of two portraits; title: Second voyage of Captain James Cook; title: Mass production of genius; title: In the Meridian Courtyard.