Product Description

Following one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, this book centres on the life and achievements of John Harrison designer and builder of the first accurate marine timekeepers. Harrison is a fascinating account of one man driven by the need to solve one of the greatest practical problems of his time. This new edition has more than 40 illustrations, including drawings of the clocks mechanisms. Fresh insights on Harrison and his achievements are joined by a new section on Rupert Gould, the man who restored Harrison s timepieces in the inter-war years.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #177760 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Customer Reviews

Wooden Clocks !
Anyone who has read Dava Sobel's "Longitude" (or seen the t.v. adaptation) will find this little book fascinating. It gives a "potted" bio. of Harrison and describes, in not too much detail, the trials of the various "marine timekeepers"" made by him. The technical detail is excellent but not excessive and I was particularly intrigued by Harrison's own "worky" drawings. The photos are clear and distinct and the "techy" drawings first-rate - I now understand how H's "frictionless" oil-free bearings work!
However Mr. Betts does not confine himself to Harrison but gives some info. on the other experimenters of the period. A good buy.

Great
This book was just what we were looking for.It was apresent for some one who is hard to buy for and we couldnt get it in our local shops.