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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time Hardcover - 1995

by Sobel, Dava


From the publisher

Anyone alive in the eighteenth century would have known that "the longitude 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 Isaac 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 precise time at sea, something no clock had ever been able to do on land. Longitude is the dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest, and of 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.

Details

  • Title Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
  • Author Sobel, Dava
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 224
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Walker & Company, New York
  • Date 1995
  • ISBN 9780802713124

About the author

Dana Sobel is the bestselling author of Longitude, Galileo's Daughter, The Planets, co-author of The Illustrated Longitude, and editor of Letters to Father. She lives in East Hampton, New York.

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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

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This is a fascinating brief history of astronomy, navigation and horology. The central character is John Harrison, self-taught Yorkshire clockmaker, who was forty-year obsessed with building the perfect timekeeper. This was in the late 17th century, when sailors literally had to guess at their longitude while out of sight of land.
Battling against the establishment, Harrison stood alone in pursuit of his solution and the £20,000 offered by Parliament, to an inventor who could solve this dilemma. The story will keep you on the edge of your chair till the last pages! Book is in new condition.
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Sobel, Dava

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Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

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Walker & Company, 1995. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

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Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

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ISBN 13
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Walker & Company, 1995. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

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ISBN 13
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Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude : The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

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ISBN 13
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Walker & Company, 1995. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers.
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Sobel, Dava

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  • Hardcover
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ISBN 13
9780802713124
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0802713122
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Walker & Company, 1995. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Sobel, Dava

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