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Books » History » General
Decoding the Heavens
http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Decoding-Heavens-Jo-Marchant/9780099519768
Solving the Mystery of the World's First Computer
By
Jo Marchant
RRP $29.99 $16.81 Save $13.18 (44%)16.81
Free shipping NZ wide Ships within 24 hours from UK supplier | Rating: | | | Format: | Paperback, 336 pages | | Other Information: | col. Illustrations, maps. | | Release Date: | 18 April 2009 | In 1900, a group of sponge divers blown off course in the Mediterranean discovered an Ancient Greek shipwreck dating from around 70 BC. Lying unnoticed for months amongst their hard-won haul was what appeared to be a formless lump of corroded rock, which turned out to be the most stunning scientific artefact we have from antiquity. For more than a century this 'Antikythera mechanism' puzzled academics, but now, more than 2000 years after the device was lost at sea, scientists have pieced together its intricate workings. In "Decoding the Heavens", Jo Marchant tells for the first time the story of the 100-year quest to understand this ancient computer. Along the way she unearths a diverse cast of remarkable characters - ranging from Archimedes to Jacques Cousteau - and explores the deep roots of modern technology not only in Ancient Greece, the Islamic world and medieval Europe. About the AuthorJo Marchant is Opinion Editor at New Scientist magazine. She has a PhD in medical microbiology and has been a science journalist for nine years. She spent three years of that as an editor at the journal Nature, and her articles have also appeared in the Guardian and The Economist. She lives with her boyfriend in Brixton, London. PrizesThe fascinating story of the discovery of, and subsequent quest to decode, the world's first computer |
| Publisher: | Windmill Books | | ISBN: | 0099519763 |
| EAN: | 9780099519768 | | Dimensions: | 19.0 x 13.0 x 2.0 centimeters (0.25 kg) |
| Age Range: |
15+ years |
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Reviews
3.0
out of 5 based on
2
reviews.
 – Customer review on 19/04/2011
I was quite pleasantly surprised with this book. I was honestly expecting something drab, dull, dry, and other d-describing words. What I found was something that was particularly fun to read, that made it into a story, full of interesting and fun characters.
I can't help but feel that perhaps Marchant was blatantly on the side of Wright, while demonising the others who tried to investigate the device. That was jut a feeling I got as I was reading it.
Also, I found the last chapter, surprisingly, to be dull. Maybe I just couldn't help but feel that after that other chapters had been so fun to read. It wasn't horrible, not by any means, but it wasn't the most fun part of the book.
Overall, a good read.
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5.0
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 – Customer review on 30/11/2009
This book is fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone. If you are looking for a good book then this is it. It keeps you interested and captivated. It's a great book for anyone. It is definitely worth buying. Whether it be for yourself or others, it's a must have. I hope you will like this book just as much as me. Beautiful book.
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