Amazon.com
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.
Book Description
During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of all scientific challenges. Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. Ships ran aground on rocky shores; those traveling well-known routes were easy prey to pirates.
In 1714, England's Parliament offered a huge reward to anyone whose method of measuring longitude could be proven successful. The scientific establishment--from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton--had mapped the heavens in its certainty of a celestial answer. In stark contrast, one man, John Harrison, dared to imagine a mechanical solution--a clock that would keep precise time at sea, something no clock had been able to do on land. And the race was on....
Customer Reviews:
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time.......2007-08-31
A mediocre book , the author clearly has no scientific knowlegde and drags the story out as if it was a Soap opera . No diagrams / drawings / patent descriptions are included , meagre technical information . NOT worth the effort of reading . this publication is an insult to the intelligence . ABSOLUTE RUBBISH . ( and I have read it ). William Asquith .
An interesting read, but not exceptional........2007-06-27
Dava Sobel's 'Longitude' makes for a quick, light read. The story covers an interesting slice of history, but Longitude hardy distinguishes itself as being a great book. The largest problem is that the "lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time," John Harrison, is not a man about whom very much is known. Everything that is known about him could be fitted onto one of the (paperback) book's 175 pages. It's a bit remarkable that Sobel was able to milk a book from minimal and disjointed known facts. The story is really about the longitude problem itself, and the Harrison 'enemies' long-running success in undermining Harrison's solution, a precision chronometer that could maintain accuracy under the widely varied environmental conditions encountered by mariners.
Sobel's 'Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love,' is, in every way, a better book. For those interested in a fast-paced historical exposition of "a lone genius" advancing science but meeting maddening resistance from England's celebrity scientific elite (yes, it's a theme that parallels Sobel's 'Longitude'), by all means secure a copy of Tom Standage's 'The Neptune File: A Story of Astronomical Rivalry and the Pioneers of Planet Hunting,' the story of John Couch Adams' startling genius and the developments of planetary astronomy from William Herschel to our current spectroscopic and mathematical hunt for distant exoplanets.
Not a bad book, but not great either.
Not a boring science textbook.......2007-06-23
Sobel brings science to life in this tell of the quest to solve the navigational conundrum of measuring position. Her writing is visual and fluid. The book tells a gripping story that brings in bits of politics, geography, economics, philosophy, and many other disciplines. It proves that fact can be stranger than fiction. This is a great read for anyone of any age and with any area of interest.
A Great Story.......2007-06-12
Longitude and latitude tell a sailor or aviator or hiker where in the entire world he or she is. If latitude is known, one knows how far north or south of the equator he or she is. But that's a circle all the way around the earth. To find the point on that circle, the sailor's longitude must be known. Without longitude, ships missed resupply islands in the south pacific by a couple of miles or by hundreds of miles - and never knew it. They crashed into rocks wandering around like you would in a dark room - the door is on the other side but, where?
The earth is round and, therefore, there are 360 degrees in the circumference. The earth makes one rotation every 24 hours and the sun stays put. That is, the earth rotates at the rate of 15 degrees per hour. So, if I know the time at some point in the world and I know the local time, I can calculate where I am on the circle of latitude. I can determine local noon and then I look at my very accurate clock and determine the time in, say, London. If it's four hours earlier in London, I know I am 4 x 15 or 60 degrees around the world from London. I shoot the sun with my sextant to find my latitude and now I know where I am.
The problem was - how do I know what time it is in London when I'm in the south pacific. Even on land, clocks were not even close to accurate - they'd lose several minutes a day. Many solutions were proposed - my favorites were the "sympathetic dogs" and the line of cannon firing ships. The dog solution involved having a dog in London and a dog on the ship. Since it was well known that dogs communicate telepathically, if the dog in London was pinched, the dog on the ship would feel it and yelp. So - pinch the dog at noon and - voila! That didn't work so the next idea was to put a string of ships across the oceans beginning in London. Put them at one mile intervals and have the crews listen. At noon a cannon would be fired in London and the first ship would fire its cannon. The second ship would hear it and fire its cannon. and so forth across all the oceans. When a cruising ship heard the cannon, the captain knew it was noon in London. Too many ships, too much money and what to do during a storm.
Harrison's first clock was accurate to 1/2 second per day. That's in the mid seventeen hundreds. That's better than most clocks and watches made anywhere in the world up to about 30 years ago. He ultimately made a large watch - about five inches across - that was able to keep London time so accurately the British Navy could go anywhere and find what they were looking for and the way home. But think of the problems - the ship is rolling and pitching so a pendulum won't work. The temperature and humidity change so the mechanism slows or speeds up or rusts. There were no computer chips or quartz crystals. And there were many important people saying, "God is the answer - look to the heavens."
It's a story about something we take so easily for granted today. Our throwaway watches are more accurate than anything imaginable when Harrison started. An atomic clock measures time to the billionth of a second and we think nothing of it - but without those clocks we would have no satellite communication, no weather satellites, no space program. It's a story about a man who didn't know the answer but was determined to find it. Harrison had no computer, no modern machine tools, no precedent. His story is absolutely amazing. And it is told wonderfully by Dava Sobel. I've read it three times and have enjoyed it each of them.
Solving the Problem of Longitude.......2007-06-09
I read this book from the perspective of an old naval aviator who used to fix the position of his aircraft using celestial navigation. Having estimated the position of my aircraft using the stars and planets as the only means to navigate across the Pacific, Indian or Atlantic Oceans, I am profoundly aware of the difficulties associated with the determination of longitude. I am also aware that the modern (by 1950 standards) sextant that I used made the task of sighting a celestial body many times easier than that of a sailor on a rolling and pitching on a 150 ton sailing ship. I greatly enjoyed this story. It connected and resonated with my nautical background and experiences. I was not aware of the history of how this problem was solved. I routinely used Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in my military career, but could not explain why that was the prime meridian.
This is also the well told story of the clockmaker Harrison and his incredible determination to win the longitude prize. The story was well told. I only wish it were longer.
Book Description
The name of Rolex is recognized around the world. It has become an icon of beauty, quality, accuracy, style, and taste. While there are other fine manufacturers of timepieces, none has reached this pinnacle of public respect and acclaim. The watches produced by Rolex over the last 90 years are celebrated in this lavishly illustrated new volume. Mssrs. Dowling and Hess, acknowledged Rolex authorities, have captured their beauty in full color photography. They accompany the most thorough and extensive history ever written of the company. Information for collectors and current market values of the watches makes this a truly useful volume and one that will be cherished by watch lovers around the world., 392 photos , 9" x 12", Price Guide
Customer Reviews:
Great Rolex reference, but not much in updates for 3rd edition.......2007-08-19
For a comprehensive Rolex history with pictures, this is one of the best books out there. I definitely recommend this book for the Rolex enthusiast. Because it focuses mostly on history, the pictures are mostly of vintage models.
I own the 2nd edition (published 2001) and was excited when I saw the 3rd edition available (published 2006). I thought maybe there would be updates on the newer watches especially the 50th Anniversary Submariner and Day-Date (the green ones). To my disappointment, the 2nd and 3rd editions appeared to be identical except for the price guide at the end of the book. Yes, it's nice to have updated numbers, but I feel an updated edition should mention some updated watches as well.
A printing error on page 383 was not corrected in this 3rd edition either. That page shows a picture of an upside down Seadweller, but the print below the picture says "The Yachtmaster."
If you already own the 2nd edition and don't care for an updated price list, there's no need to spend $75+ for the 3rd edition. However, the 3rd edition is a good purchase for the first time buyer.
Overall I give the book 5 stars, but I'm giving it 4 stars here because of the lack of updates for the 3rd edition.
Simply the Rolex bible.......2007-08-18
Not much to say about the book. It has evertthing a Rolex collector will neeed.
The best pictures published on watches, ever, No book comes close.
The best Rolex reference history book........2007-08-15
Its worth every penny if you want a reference book on Rolex. No book comes close.
The pictures and quality are fantastic, It is a reference book and not a book that is light reading, its full of heavy detail on every Rolex ever made up to 1999.
Another edition should be due about now, for updates.
I 100% recommend to any Rolex enhusiast, Rolex dealer or Rolex collector. There simply is no book with more detail on the market.
Very kind of Rolex watches........2007-02-05
Rolex watches, it is high cost watches. Very cool Item, very very high cost performance ! Don't kiss me !
Rolex Wristwatches Book Review.......2007-01-21
This great book gave me details about Rolex and their watches that I could not gather anywhere else. I learned basics about the watches that the Rolex dealers are unable to answer. If you own a Rolex, you should own this book.
Book Description
This comprehensive and detailed reference guide to Rolex's sports model watches is an indispensable asset to watch collectors and dealers. The only work of its kind, it covers the history of the Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Turn-O-Graph, Milgauss, and Cosmograph watches, from 1952 to 1990. The history of more than a hundred and forty vintage models is described in detail, with the watches shown in chronological order. Color photographs illustrate every watch model, with hundreds of diagrams providing clear and useful information. Twenty-two rare Rolex brochures from private collections are shown, in addition to numerous catalog photographs and the sale prices of sports models sold at Christie's and Sotheby's over the last four years. Also included is a current price guide for every model shown in the book. At a time when Rolex watches dominate the collecting market, this authoritative volume is an essential and timely addition to the library of the Rolex collector and dealer.
Customer Reviews:
Cant miss this book for Rolex fans!.......2007-08-26
This book is completely stated sports models and really can help user when buying a vintage Rolex!
Everything you need to know about Rolex sports models........2007-08-23
A most impressively comprehensive and finely detailed reference that will prove to be of great usefulness and interest to me when handling Rolex watches, and when talking to and advising collectors and enthusiasts.
Nice book to add to the collection.......2007-08-18
Pictures are of good quality. A good book to add to the collection, each watch has good description and on the watch movement.
It is a limited market, you have to remember its a book on the vintage watches and not modern Rolex watches.
Saying that I would not be without it, But I am a watch Nut.
Nice book, although outdated?.......2007-08-15
Great book for watch enhusiast. Although it only takes us up to 1997, so I was dispointed, The pictures are good, the history covers the basics. I would recommend to add to the collection
A "must-have" for all fans of vintage Rolex sports watches.......2007-01-17
The authors describe this book as a "comprehensive and detailed reference guide to Rolex's sports model watches" and "an indispensable asset to watch collectors and dealers". Modest? No. Correct? Absolutely!
The book is divided into 18 chapters, starting with Rolex chronology and the tool watch concept, followed by chronological descriptions of all models in the Submariner, Sea-Dweller, GMT-Master, Explorer, Milgauss, Turn-O-Graph and Cosmograph model ranges respectively. More brief chapters are dealing with bracelets, boxes, paperwork, and movements. Statistical data in the form of production dates and a price guide is also included.
What I particularly like
First of all, the great advantage of this book is the fact that all watches depicted are from the authors' own collections - this has allowed them to photograph all watches in the exact same position and size, making comparisons between the different model variants very easy. This is important when comparing with other books on Rolex, that mainly use 3rd party photos.
All models are described in chronological order, with information on model number, production period, movement number, bracelet type and size, and some 5-15 lines of specifics for that particular model, pointing towards the - often small - details distinguishing it from previous or later models. I.e. for the 6263 Daytona such text reads: "In 1971 the 6263 model replaced the 6264 model. The model was available with either the standard or exotic dial, and had T Swiss T at the bottom of the dial. On this example, the word Cosmograph is written in a semicircle around the upper half of the lower recording dial." Essential knowledge, really ;-)
Secondly, all models are accompanied by a detailed profile drawing, allowing comparisons of the shapes of glass and bezel, as well as case thickness. Important, when you want to identify the "Superdome" glass profile.
Third, there are 40+ pages of reprints of vintage Rolex brochures, advertisments, owners booklets, catalogues etc. For Sea-Dweller afficionados it will be great to see the 1981 owner's booklet reprint on page 178, showing the 1665 with acrylic lens and 2000 feet rating, alongside the 16660 with sapphire crystal and 4000 feet rating. Later that year, the 1665 was discontinued, leaving only the 16660.
Last, but not least, I really enjoy chapter 18, "Watches sold at Auction" - 50 pages of pictures and details of Rolex watches sold at auctions at Christie's and Sothebys's, in the period 1997-2004. In 1998, a "Red" Submariner 1680 was sold for mere USD 2165. Read and weep... or start collecting right away.
Ahh - not to forget - this is a relatively new book, published in 2005.
Any drawbacks, then?
Not really - or at least nothing major. Although given the title "COMPLETE Visual Reference", one would expect the book to contain pictures of ALL known model variantions. This is apparently not the case, as the military issue of the Submariner 5513 is shown only with the special "high visibility" hand design - while Rolex collectors, as well as James Dowling's Rolex book, will tell, that the military models were also available with the standard "Mercedes" hands. This would have been nice to know, before one accuses eBay sellers of vintage Rolex watches for selling un-original or Frankenstein watches. I won't do that again...
One should note, though, that this books deals with "vintage" models only - that excludes any model currently in production, obviously. For the reason of comparing model evolution, I for one would like to see the current version (i.e. the one on my wrist) pictured alongside it's ancestors, in order to compare those small, but essential details on the dial layout. But then again...
How does it compare to other Rolex books, then?
This will depend on how BROAD one's Rolex interest is, and in which STAGE of Rolex ownership one is.
John Brozek's "Rolex report" provides excellent value for money for the first-time buyer of a modern Rolex, who doesn't want to get "eScrewed" - John's expression, not mine. Lot of stuff on identifying fakes, as well as tons of statistical data and pricelists - showing retail as well as wholesale amounts. Quite good to know the latter, when someone is offering you a never worn NIB Rolex for less... Why, it should make you wonder.
Many people praise James Dowlings book "The Best of Time" as THE Rolex book to get. Maybe so - but not my cup of tea. Far too much emphasis on the very early Prince and Bubbleback models and only brief descriptions of the tool watches.
For some buyers, the overall Rolex history in this book will be too brief, or the statistics on production dates incomplete (as they end in 1998). Do not despair - buy this book anyway, and read the rest on the various Rolex internet forums.
So, my personal view is, that if you are a current or potential owner of a "Professional" series model, Martin Skeet and Nick Urul's excellent book will give you the most relevant insights. It's certainly my favorite, and the one I would chose over all other Rolex books I have seen so far.
Buy and enjoy - You will not be disappointed!
Amazon.com
Dava Sobel's Longitude tells the story of how 18th-century scientist and clockmaker William Harrison solved one of the most perplexing problems of history--determining east-west location at sea. This lush, colorfully illustrated edition adds lots of pictures to the story, giving readers a more satisfying sense of the times, the players, and the puzzle. This was no obscure, curious difficulty--without longitude, ships often found themselves so far off course that sailors would starve or die of scurvy before they could reach port. When a nationally-sponsored contest offered a hefty cash prize to the person who could develop a method to accurately determine longitude, the race was on. In the end, the battle of accuracy--and wills--fought between Harrison and arch-rival Maskelyne was ruthless and dramatic, worthy of a Hollywood feature film. Longitude's story is surprising and fascinating, offering a window into the past, before Global Positioning Satellites made it look easy. --Therese Littleton
Book Description
A fully illustrated edition of the international best-seller Longitude.
The Illustrated Longitude recounts in words and images the epic quest to solve the greatest scientific problem of the eighteenth and three prior centuries: determining how a captain could pinpoint his ship's location at sea. All too often throughout the ages of exploration, voyages ended in disaster when crew and cargo were either lost at sea or destroyed upon the rocks of an unexpected landfall. Thousands of lives and the fortunes of nations hung on a resolution to the longitude problem.
To encourage a solution, governments established prizes for anyone whose method or device proved successful. The largest reward of £20,000-- truly a king's ransom-- was offered by Britain's Parliament in 1714. The scientific establishment-- from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton-- had been certain that a celestial answer would be found and invested untold effort in this pursuit. By contrast, John Harrison imagined and built the unimaginable: a clock that told perfect time at sea, known today as the chronometer. Harrison's trials and tribulations during his forty-year quest to win the prize are the culmination of this remarkable story.
The Illustrated Longitude brings a new and important dimension to Dava Sobel's celebrated story. It contains the entire original narrative of Longitude, redesigned to accompany 183 images chosen by William Andrewes-- from portraints of every important figure in the story to maps and diagrams, scientifc instruments, and John Harrison's remarkable sea clocks themselves. Andrewes's elegant captions and sidebars on scientific and historical events tell their own story of longitude, paralleling and illuminating Sobel's memorable tale.
Customer Reviews:
Much better with Andrewes illustrations.......2007-09-24
I met William Andrewes at a talk about his longitude dial. Never read Dava Sobel before and found the text week or at least week without the illustrations. The history in these documents and images of paintings made this book a don't put it down event. I've even used some of the history noted in public talks on astronomy. Highly recommended. I've shared it with several colleagues.
John S.
Entertaining insight in longitude problemsolving.......2007-08-27
An easy to read and enjoyable (hi)story about the efforts that have been made in the past centuries to find an way of navigating at sea. Every aspect finding the longitude has been covered. The book contains a lot of pictures and graphics that deepens out some (technical) background issues. It provides just enough details so that the subject is well understood, but no too much, making is suitable for every interested reader.
So, if you are interested in navigating, reading this book gives you an good insight in the amount of work people have done in the past to make that possible.
One way to describe persistence: William Harrison.......2007-05-25
As an "electronic geographer" (geographic information systems... computerized mapping... operator and manager), I was immediately attracted to Sobel's story upon it's original publication in 1995. Technically, navigationally, and economically speaking this is, as others have stated, a truly epic and civilization-changing story that is well and readably told by Sobel. On the first read I was awestruck to learn that craftsmen of the 18th century could make timepieces of the accuracy that Harrison achieved. Then further amazed to learn they were made portable and durable enough to withstand the rigors of years of service at sea. As I read Sobel's original book my curosity about what these amazing pieces of incredible craftsmenship (art?) LOOKED LIKE was a continual distraction. The "Illustrated Longitude" delightfully sates the curosity that Sobel's text so pleasantly gives rise to.
A Novel Couldn't Read Better.......2007-02-22
Sobel's original volume came in an un-illustrated format. I had scarcely ever heard about the history behind the "longitude problem," as it was called during the period. When the book was recommended to me by a good friend, I was initially hesitant, thinking that it might be a dull read.
I read the original book in a day. It was one of the best-written page-turners I had ever come across -- almost akin to the readability of Walter Lord's "A Night to Remember," or "Day of Infamy." My only complaint was that the book had no pictures of any sort to speak of.
This new, illustrated volume fixes that only complaint. This book is a must-have.
A Book That Should Be Read .......2007-01-03
I am at present still reading the book. It is only now that I have had the time to do so. If you wish my review later, then I would be pleased to provde this.
Thank you.
Book Description
The mechanical wristwatch is a cherished treasure. This newly updated classic book is designed for the collector, with a historical survey, a description of how mechanical wristwatches work, and a glossary. Updated prices for various watches are included, along with a chapter on fakes, knock-offs, and hybrids. Information on the preservation, care, and repair of the watch rounds out the volume, making it an excellent reference for novice and experienced collectors alike.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent resource for the antique wrist watch collector..........2006-10-02
....A thorough explanation of both the history of the wrist watch as well its mechanical evolution. Direct, easy, approachable, yet thorough, with a significant number of illustrations and photos of every description of watch from all the major European manufacturers from the early years thru modern times. If you collect wrist watches, this book is the Gold Standard.
In-depth guide meant especially for collectors .......2005-06-11
Now in a newly revised fifth edition, Wristwatches: History Of A Century's Development by Helmut Kahlert, Richard Muhe and Gisbert L. Brunner, is an extraordinary, high-quality, in-depth guide meant especially for collectors but also filled with fascinating information for lay readers curious about the technological, sociological, and economic factors that have not only contributed to the development of the wristwatch, but made the portable clock an important part of world history. Over 1990 black-and-white and color photographs abound throughout this lavish compendium, which includes extensively detailed essays on the origin of the wristwatch, its distinctive features versus the pocket watch, its basic construction and function, self-winding watches, special types of wristwatches, preservation and care of wristwatches, and much more. Express focus is given to various name brands and types of wristwatches throughout the past century, with many photos, capsule descriptions, and sample prices for classic watches. Wristwatches: History Of A Century's Development is truly an outstanding reference for hobbyists and historians alike.
Rise and Fall and the Rise Again of Mechanical Watchmaking.......2000-08-18
Wristwatches' is an excellent survey of the huge variety of watches that been developed this century. Highlights includes a consise history of the changes in design over the last 100 years and brief insights into how particular complications are constructed. However, for the english reader, for this is a translation from the original German editions, it has a few faults in it's germanocentricity. All of the historical advertising material displayed in the book is in German. It would have been more appropriate to include at least a few english language advertisments as it gives a lot of flavour to such a book. In addition there is a complete section on German wristwatch development which is a bit dry if this is not your particular interest. A major editorial fault is that the vast majority of photos have lost their numbering and you are left trying to match up the descriptions to each picture. For such a book this fault is a pity. However it is still one of the best guides for vintage and modern watch enthusiasts as it covers a vast range of models with a very useful, and fairly accurate, price guide.
Average customer rating:
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Technique and history of the Swiss watch
Eugene Jaquet
Manufacturer: Spring Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 Production & Operations
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
| Engineering Economics
| Ergonomics
| General
| Industrial Design
| Industrial Technology
| Machinery
| Manufacturing
| Packaging
| Production, Operation & Management
| Productivity
| Quality Control
| Safety & Health
| Systems
ASIN: 0600036332 |
Average customer rating:
- This book is generally good for the beginner.A few mistakes
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American Shelf and Wall Clocks: A Pictorial History for Collectors
Robert W. D. Ball
Manufacturer: Schiffer Pub Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Clocks & Watches
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0887404278 |
Book Description
This historical overview of the various styles of American shelf and wall clocks covers the centuries and gives visual pleasure every step of the way. The original owners of these clocks were interested as much in how they looked as in how they told time, so they are quite attractive and are good examples of the cabinet maker's art. The collector can acquire the majority of these beautiful clocks at relatively fair and modest prices, which makes them popular. Gathered from auction houses, museums, and private collections, over 1250 clocks are illustrated here in this newly revised and expanded second edition. Approximately one-third of the photographs are in color, with the remainder in clear black and white. Each is accompanied by an informative caption that will be great help to the reader. A newly updated value guide will be of invaluable assistance to the collector. In illustrating the early growth of the clock making industry in the United States, Mr. Ball has captured an important part of our history.
Customer Reviews:
This book is generally good for the beginner.A few mistakes.......1998-01-09
Very good photos of some hard to find clocks. Probably could have been arranged in a more logical order, ie. either by dates or start with shelf and work up to wall clocks. Some info not correct but overall good picture book.
Book Description
On its 10th anniversary, a gift edition of this classic book, with a forward by one of history's greatest explorers, and eight pages of color illustrations.
Anyone alive in the eighteeth century would have known that "the logitude problem" was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day--and had been for centuries. Lacking the ability to measure their longitude, sailors throughout the great ages of exploration had been literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. Thousands of lives, and the increasing fortunes of nations, hung on a resolution.
The scientific establishment of Europe--from Galileo to Sir Issac Newton--had mapped the heavens in both hemispheres in its certain pursuit of a celestial answer. In stark contrast, one man, John Harrison, dared to imagine a mechanical solution--a clock that would keep percise time at sea, something no clock had ever been able to do on land. Longitude is a dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest and Harrison's forty-year obsession with building his perfect timekeeper, known today as the chronometer. Full of heroism and chicanery, it is also a fascinating brief history of astronomy, navigation, and clockmaking, and opens a new window on our world.
Customer Reviews:
Knowing where you are at sea.......2007-08-23
A fascinating biography of an self-educated diligent and talented man who beat the academic snobs with his invention of a new way to determine longitude.
Inspiration for thwarted problem-solvers.......2007-04-07
Dava Sobel is a natural-born storyteller. She has given herself a huge topic to cover (the discovery of a way of establishing longitude at sea, the endowment and administration of a Longitude Prize, and the pursuit of that prize by various people in the 17th and 18th centuries); she has deftly described the scientific issues that make the problem seemingly impossible to solve; and she vividly brings to life the many key figures who had a hand in how the discovery eventually played out--the good, the bad, and the petty. I think it is Sobel's unjaundiced eye, her ability to examine human nature clearly and without apology that makes this book so appealing. Time and again I found myself saying, "Notthing has changed. People are still like that!" Human beings continue to be motivated by greed, ego, and envy. We continue to bend rules when it suits our need and we continue to sabotage the best efforts of others. The 18th century practice of slandering one's professional foes in pamphlets certainly has its equivalents in blog-smears. Character assasination seems to be one of humanity's most abiding pastimes. But in the end, Sobel's story is one of human ingenuity, personal sacrifice, and total commitment. In this instance at least, the good guy wins. And with Sobel's popular account of John Harrision, the inventor of the first successful chronometer, she manages to drag this obscure inventor's name out of anonymity and give him the recognition he clearly deserves. "With his marine clocks, John Harrision tested the waters of space-time. He succeeded, against all odds, in using the fourth--temporal--dimension to link points on the three-dimensional globe. He wrested the world's whereabouts from the stars, and locked the secret in a pocket watch."
There is an edition of LONGITUDE that includes many illustrations. I've seen it in stores and can vouch for its quality. But Sobel's writing is so visual and impactful that I would recommend choosing the edition without picutures. Let your imagination do the work. This is a great read.
Worth reading for better appreciation of navigation methods today.......2007-04-02
This book was the choice of one of my book club memebers who got a little tired of all the novels that have been chosen over the years. It's a short book - about 175 pages - and, we were assured, an easy read. The Introduction by Neil Armstrong was fascinating and set the tone for a most interesting narative about the invention of the chronometer and its impact on marine navigation. My ancestors were whalers, and I've read several books about expeditions and voyages pre-nineteenth century. Still, I had no clue how important the ability to determine longitude was.
Dava Sobel has a scientific mind, yet is able to make her information palatable to the non-scientific reader. I highly reccommend this book; it will broaden your horizons and make you appreciate those who came before. You will think differently about the amazing world we take for granted today with GPS navigation on our cell phones and the dashboards of our cars.
Humorously Informing.......2006-11-28
It gave good details on the characters involved, and it had humor to go along with it. This probably wouldn't catch many teenager's attention, but it did catch my attention because of the wittiness. If you want to learn more information on the history of Longitude this would be a good book to read!
If History Class was like this..........2006-07-27
I would not go so far as to say I hated history in school, but it was far from my favorite subject. As I read Longitude I found myself wanting to search out more information and explore the people and science on my own. Heck, if Dava Sobel had been writing our text books, I might have been a history major. I would reccommend Longitude to any and everyone - the budding history scholar, the salty old sailor, the astronomy buff or the normal joe looking for a good read. The science is approachable, the history intriguing and the story of Harrison's drive and determination inspiring. I would especially reccommend the edition with the plates showing the actual clocks/watches built by Harrison.
Average customer rating:
- Hmm, I am not sure what to say?
- Not sure what to say about this.
- Great book on the greatest watch maker in the World.
- Great Pictures and nice book
- Good Stuff
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Breitling: The History of a Great Brand of Watches 1884 to the Present (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Benno Richter
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0887408648 |
Book Description
Breitling-one watch has made this name famous worldwide, the Navitimer. In 1952 this watch was a real sensation, for the chronograph along with the calculator made it possible for the pilot to carry out all necessary calculations during the flight. This made the Navitimer a valuable on-board instrument at that time, and a valuable collectible today.
But Breitling did not develop watches just for pilots and aircraft industry. This book shows the whole spectrum of the firm's products since its founding in 1884, and gives the reader an informed insight into more than 100 years of the firm's history. Many photos, old catalogs and advertising material support the informative text. With the help of reference numbers, the collector can also locate individual watches chronologically.
This fascinating portrait of the Breitling firm will enthrall all who appreciate fine mechanical precision.
Customer Reviews:
Hmm, I am not sure what to say?.......2007-08-18
I like watches and must admit I was a lttle disapointed. It has some nice pictures, but not much information.
It has too many pictures from the advertisers and sadly is very out of date now, but I will keep it.
Not sure what to say about this........2007-08-18
I was a little surprised by the book, it's now 12 years old and outdated, the pictures are all black and white, and it does not have much writing, I read it from cover to cover in about 1.5 hours. The pictures are good quality, although many are from Breitling advertisements.
It would be nice to see it updated, in color and have some history behind it. It does not explain anything about the Breitling Emergency watch, it just shows a picture! I was a little disappointed.
Great book on the greatest watch maker in the World........2007-08-14
Great book, nice pictures throughout. Every Breitling watch owner should bbuy a copy. Not much writing, that was a disapointment, but the pictures make up for that, although, they are only black & white.
Great Pictures and nice book.......2007-08-12
Some nice pictures in here. Not much writing, I seemed to flip throught it in about an hour.
Pictures are of very good quality, but all black & white, I would recommend if you are a collector, I think its a little out dated now.
Good Stuff.......2004-03-25
This has some good stuff, but it is for a mixed audience, so none may be fully satisfied. For horologists, there is a fair amount of movements shown, with many of them "exploded" to show all of their parts. For historians, there is a lot of good old-time advertising and photos. For collectors, of course, you get to see a whole bunch of the product line back over a hundred years ago. The price list is minimal and ten years out of date, so it is not as relevant, but not completely useless either. Still, not a bad offering.
Average customer rating:
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Carriage Clocks: Their History and Development
Charles Allix
Manufacturer: Antique Collectors' Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0902028251 |
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