Cover of John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude.
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude

John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude

£12.99

Author: Jonathan Betts

John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude is a compelling account of one man driven by the need to solve one of the greatest practical problems of his time.

Following one of the most intriguing and fascinating stories linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the book centres on the life and achievements of John Harrison - designer and builder of the first accurate marine chronometers.

Inspired by the official prize offered in 1714 to anyone who could solve the problem of finding longitudinal positions at sea, Harrison produced his four famous 'H' timepieces. In doing so, he helped revolutionise navigation at sea, saving many thousands of lives.

This new edition contains beautiful technical drawings of the mechanisms of clocks and the technology involved in Harrison's creations, bringing to life this inspiring story.

Jonathan Betts is Curator Emeritus of Horology at Royal Museums Greenwich. He is the author of Marine Chronometers at Greenwich.

  • English 
  • Paperback
  • 128 pages
  • Fully revised and updated with detailed hand-coloured illustrations

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£12.99
 
John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude
£12.99

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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B
Brian Walsh
Great little book on a fascinating topic

Excellent. I work as a museum docent in a laical instruments exhibit and this compact, fact-filled book answered a lot of the questions I have and filled in some gaps in my understanding of this part of maritime history.

Thank you for your kind review! I'm delighted to hear that you found the book both informative and engaging. As a museum docent, your feedback is particularly valuable, and I'm glad it could enhance your understanding and help you answer visitors' questions. Maritime history is indeed a fascinating field, and it's wonderful to know that this book could contribute to your knowledge.

N
Norman Ewan
John Harrison

This is a fascinating story of clock and watch building and the inventions to get accurate time keeping

Thank you for your review Norman! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the story of clock and watch building. It's always rewarding to know that our exploration of the history and innovations in timekeeping resonates with our readers.

A
Anne-Marie

Loved all of the items!

S
Scott

Beautifully finished book.

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