" During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of scientific challenges. Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land." From Longitude by Dava Sobel In our modern world of convenience today, we take for granted so many things that enable us to go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.
In our modern world of conveniences, we take for granted so many things that enable us to so easily go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.
This piece of literature combines scientific exploration with history and biographies as it explains the many trials and triumphs of John Harrison. In 1707 British Parliament offered a prize of several million dollars to the man who could solve the impending problem of Longitude. John Harrison stood to the challenge and dedicated almost 50 years to the solution of longitude.
( Above picture is Harrison's Marine Chronometer H3)
I thought it was very well written; Sobel has a creative way of writing history as it should be, easy for the reader to understand.
P.S. There is also a movie made in 2000 about John Harrison and Longitude with Jeremy Irons and Michael Gambon. I have not yet seen it but thought I'd put that out there.
Indecency: None
Violence: None
Language: None
Age Interest: 15-adult
My Rating: 4 out of 5
1 comment:
I plan on watching "Master and Commander" in conjunction with this awesome book :)
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