Book info

• Title Longitude
• Author Dava Sobel
• Year 1995
• Genre Non-fiction

Anyone alive in the 18th century would have known that ‘the longitude problem’ was the thorniest scientific dilemma of the day – and had been for centuries. Lacking the ability to measure their longitude, sailors throughout the great ages of exploration had been literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. Thousands of lives, and the increasing fortunes of nations, hung on a resolution. The quest for a solution had occupied scientists and their patrons for the better part of two centuries when, in 1714, Parliament upped the ante by offering a king’s ransom (£20,000) to anyone whose method or device proved successful. Countless quacks weighed in with preposterous suggestions. The scientific establishment throughout Europe – from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton – had mapped the heavens in both hemispheres in its certain pursuit of a celestial answer. In stark contrast, one man, John Harrison, dared to imagine a mechanical solution.

Thoughts

I can’t remember why I picked this book up, but I’m so glad I did. I’m not hugely scientific but I’m always interested in stories where humans put their mind to something and keep on trying until it all comes together. This is a popular history, not a technical manual, so it was incredibly readable.

I didn’t know much about the battle to measure our way round the planet and found it fascinating. The two tribes - one lunar, one watch-based - and our hero Harrison’s hard and detailed work, such a perfectionist. This was brilliantly well written, engaging and well worth a read.

Rating: 5 / 5