Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genirus Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time Prebound - 2007
by Dava Sobel
Sobel presents the dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest and of John Harrison's 40-year obsession with building the perfect timekeeper, known today as the chronometer.
Reader reviews for Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genirus Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
Review summary
Readers describe this as an engaging, accessible primer on the longitude problem and John Harrison’s chronometers. Sobel’s clear explanations and brisk pacing make complex science easy to follow, and many found the story inherently compelling. Critiques center on the book’s brevity and narrow focus on Harrison and the prize at the expense of broader context and impact; some also noted a meandering structure, occasional florid phrasing, and a frustrating lack of images or diagrams. Overall, it’s valued as a quick, informative introduction rather than a definitive history.
Readers say this book is:
engagingaccessiblequick readinformativeclear explanationsfascinatingnarrow scopemeanderinglacks illustrationsnot rivetingWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
Details
- Title Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genirus Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
- Author Dava Sobel
- Binding Prebound
- Pages 184
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Turtleback Books
- Publication date 2007-11
- ISBN 9781613835944 / 1613835949
- Weight 0.45 lbs (0.20 kg)
- Dimensions 7.3 x 4.6 x 0.8 in (18.54 x 11.68 x 2.03 cm)
- Reading level 1320
- Category Biography / Autobiography
- Dewey Decimal Code B
About the author
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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genirus Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
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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 Genirus Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
by Dave
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