Fatal Attraction : Magnetic Mysteries of the Enlightenment / Patricia Fara
by Fara, Patricia
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- See description
- ISBN 10
- 1840466324
- ISBN 13
- 9781840466324
- Seller
-
Galway, Ireland
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Thriplow : Icon, 2005. First Edition. Hardcover. At the end of the 17th century, magnetism was a dark, mysterious force, known about since ancient Greece but still poorly understood. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, and magnetic expertise lay in the hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. This book tells the stories of three men who were lured by nature's strangest power. Edmond Halley set out to map the Earth's magnetic patterns and improve navigation, showing how science could help England to expand her empire. Gowin Knight, a poor clergyman's son, climbed to fame and fortune by developing powerful artificial magnets used in compasses, scientific experiments and popular magic tricks. And although Franz Mesmer claimed that his 'animal magnetism', based on harnessing invisible streams of magnetic fluid, was the revolutionary medicine of the future, he was ultimately denounced as a quack. The move from magnetic mysticism to celebrating scientific rationality is a microcosm of the Enlightenment itself. In this book the author portrays the colourful protagonists of the magnetic revolution in this tumultuous and turbulent age. An exceptional copy; fine in an equally fine dw, now mylar-sleeved. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Literally as new.; 8vo 8"" - 9"" tall; 206 pages; Physical desc. : ix, 206 p. : ill. , ports. ; 21 cm. Series: Revolutions in science. Includes bibliographical references. Subject: Mesmer, Franz Anton (1734-1815) --Knight, Gowin (1713-1772) --Halley, Edmond (1656-1742) --Magnetism --History --Compasses (Mathematical instruments) --History --Popular science.
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Details
- Bookseller
- MW Books Ltd. (IE)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 156096
- Title
- Fatal Attraction : Magnetic Mysteries of the Enlightenment / Patricia Fara
- Author
- Fara, Patricia
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- ISBN 10
- 1840466324
- ISBN 13
- 9781840466324
- Publisher
- Thriplow : Icon
- Place of Publication
- Cambridge
- Date Published
- 2005
Terms of Sale
MW Books Ltd.
Returns accepted within 10 days of receipt if you are unsatisfied with either our description of, or the book itself.
About the Seller
MW Books Ltd.
Biblio member since 2005
Galway
About MW Books Ltd.
MW Books is an academic and antiquarian bookshop with a large stock in core areas such as Early Travel & Exploration, Nineteenth Century Literature, Early Political Economy, Labour and Social History, and Asian and Colonial History. Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions or comments regarding any item listed.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Poor
- A book with significant wear and faults. A poor condition book is still a reading copy with the full text still readable. Any...