{"product_id":"longitude-the-true-story-of-a-lone-genius-who-solved-the-greatest-scientific-problem-of-his-time","title":"Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time","description":"Anyone alive in the eighteenth 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.\nThe scientific establishment of 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―a clock that would keep precise time at sea, something no clock had ever been able to do on land. Longitude is the dramatic human story of an epic scientific quest, and of Harrison's forty-year obsession with building his perfect timekeeper, known today as the chronometer. Full of heroism and chicanery, it is also a fascinating brief history of astronomy, navigation, and clockmaking, and opens a new window on our world.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 0802713122\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: 31UE340002FC_ns\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Sobel, Dava\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact  including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Blue Vase Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43282814730301,"sku":"31UE340002FC_ns","price":5.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/4225\/9261\/files\/0802713122-0.jpg?v=1781818499","url":"https:\/\/www.bluevasebooks.com\/products\/longitude-the-true-story-of-a-lone-genius-who-solved-the-greatest-scientific-problem-of-his-time","provider":"Blue Vase Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}