Longitude
by Dava Sobel
"Longitude" by Dava Sobel recounts the historical quest to determine a precise method for calculating longitude at sea, a challenge that plagued sailors for centuries. The narrative focuses on the life and inventions of John Harrison, a self-taught clockmaker who created the marine chronometer, revolutionizing navigation and saving countless lives. Through engaging storytelling, Sobel highlights the intersection of science, politics, and human perseverance in solving one of the greatest problems of the Age of Exploration.
40 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from Longitude, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The greatest problem of navigation is the problem of time.
Longitude is the most important thing in the world, but it is also the most elusive.
To find longitude, you must know the difference between local time and Greenwich Mean Time.
The sea is a cruel mistress, but it has its own rules.
The clock is the key to the world.
The quest for longitude was a race against time and tide.
Men spent their lives searching for a solution, driven by the desire to conquer the sea.
The story of longitude is a story of human ingenuity.
Science and adventure are two sides of the same coin.
The sea is a dangerous place, but it is also the most beautiful place in the world.
Longitude is a measure of time, as well as distance.
The search for a method of calculating longitude has occupied the best minds for centuries.
The problem of longitude was not just a scientific one; it was a matter of national pride.
To navigate the seas, one must first understand the stars.
Accuracy in timekeeping was the key to successful navigation.
The creation of the marine chronometer changed the course of navigation forever.
Great discoveries often arise from great frustrations.
Longitude is the secret to the universe and its mysteries.
The quest for longitude is a story of human ingenuity and spirit.
The sea is a dangerous place for a man who has no way to tell where he is.
For the first time in history, mankind had an instrument that could help him reach his destination safely.
Longitude is a matter of life and death for sailors.
The search for longitude was a quest for human understanding of the world.
Time and place are interconnected in the fabric of our world.
The true measure of a man's worth is his ability to solve problems.
Every great achievement is the result of a series of small victories.
In every endeavor, one must be prepared for failure as well as success.
The complexities of the universe can often be distilled into simple truths.
Innovation thrives when there is a problem to be solved.
The sea is an unforgiving mistress.
Longitude is the key to the world's navigation.
He who knows the longitude can navigate the world.
The quest for longitude was a matter of life and death.
To solve the longitude problem would be to grasp a piece of the world.
Each degree of longitude represents a different place on Earth.
The invention of the marine chronometer changed everything.
A simple clock could save lives at sea.
The search for longitude became a national obsession.