Summary:
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel is a non-fiction book that tells the captivating story of how one man, John Harrison, revolutionized navigation by inventing the first accurate clock, solving the age-old problem of determining longitude at sea.
Book Genre:
Non-fiction, History, Biography
Main Topic:
The main topic of the book is the story of John Harrison and his quest to solve the problem of determining longitude at sea.
Key Ideas:
- The challenge of determining longitude at sea and its importance in navigation.
- The struggles and achievements of John Harrison, a self-taught clockmaker who solved the problem.
- The significance of accurate timekeeping and its impact on global trade and exploration.
- The opposition faced by Harrison from the scientific community.
- The development and evolution of longitude measurement methods.
Main Parts of the Book:
- Part One: The Puzzles of Longitude
- Part Two: The Sea Clock
- Part Three: The Watch
- Part Four: The Prize
Short Summary:
The book begins by discussing the importance of longitude in navigation and the challenges faced by sailors in determining it accurately. It then introduces the main character, John Harrison, who was determined to solve this problem. The book follows his journey as he designs and builds various versions of an accurate clock, facing opposition from the scientific community and competing methods of measuring longitude. In the end, Harrison’s invention, the marine chronometer, wins the prestigious Longitude Prize and revolutionizes navigation.
Key Takeaways:
- The significance of accurate timekeeping in navigation and its impact on global trade and exploration.
- The perseverance and determination of a lone genius in solving a seemingly impossible problem.
- The challenges and opposition faced by Harrison in his quest to build an accurate clock.
- The historical context and evolution of measuring longitude.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Dava Sobel is a well-known science writer who has written several books on scientific history, including Galileo’s Daughter and The Planets. She has a degree in science journalism and has worked as a science reporter for The New York Times and The New Yorker, making her well-qualified to write about scientific subjects.
Target Audience:
Longitude is a book suitable for a wide audience, from history enthusiasts to science lovers. It can also appeal to those interested in biographies, as it tells the story of an underdog overcoming challenges to achieve a significant scientific breakthrough.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
Longitude was first published by Fourth Estate in 1995.