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Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel. The active quest for a solution to the problem of longitude persisted over four centuries and across all of Europe. 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 pray for pirates. In 1714 England’s Parliament offered a huge reward to anyone whose method of measuring longitude could be proven successful. The scientific establishment had spent centuries confidently mapping the heavens for a celestial answer. John Harrison, a self-taught Yorkshire clockmaker, 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.

This is a beautifully told true story of astronomy, navigation, clockmaking, history, and geography, mixed with intrigue, greed, and ambition.

For experienced readers. By the author of Galileo’s Daughter.

Paper, 184 pages. Size: 7.5"x4.5".

#8795 $11.95

 

 

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