ANDREW K. JOHNSTON is a geographer at the National Air and Space
Museum, where he researches earth science and environmental change
and performs outreach on earth and space science. ROGER D. CONNOR
is curator of instruments and avionics at the National Air and
Space Museum. CARLENE E. STEPHENS is the curator of timekeeping at
the National Museum of American History. PAUL E. CERUZZI is the
curator of aerospace electronics and computing at the National Air
and Space Museum.
The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum possesses one of
the largest collections of aviation and space artifacts in the
world. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
explores the richness and complexity of the nation's history. Both
museums welcome millions of visitors a year, making them among the
most visited museums in the world.
GEEK DAD
The book focuses closely on the history of navigation and how it is
connected to time. If you have ever wondered, 'Just how did they do
that?' in reference to navigation, this book (and the exhibits)
have you covered. Find out where we started, and marvel at how far
we've come. LIBRARY JOURNAL
This companion to an exhibit of the same name at the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum is a slim but impressive volume.
Johnston, a geographer at the museum, and curators Roger D. Connor
(instruments and avionics), Carlene E. Stephens (timekeeping), and
Paul E. Ceruzzi (aerospace electronics and computing) explain that
there is a definite but often overlooked link between time and
place. Understanding how the two are related has been integral to
the evolution of navigation. In material that is articulate and
flawlessly logical, the authors show, step by step, how
developments in marine navigation gave way to air and then space
navigation. In turn, developments in space navigation took the
practice from a highly specialized, erudite science to an everyday
tool. Presented chronologically, the narrative unfolds as the
authors explain how the political, economic, scientific, and
military ambitions of a variety of countries and peoples built on
one another--the 1848 California gold rush had an influence on
shipbuilding and the implementation of new sea charts, for example.
A feature called "Navigation Gone Wrong" appears occasionally and
highlights failed expeditions throughout history, such as Amelia
Earhart's final flight and the destruction of the spacecraft
Mariner I. Another occasional feature called "Meet the..."
introduces readers to influential figures such as the teacher
Philip Van Horn Weems and the clockmaker William Cranch Bond.
Discipline-specific terms such as chronometer and astrolabe are
defined in-text. The 232 full-color and black-and-white
illustrations consist of scores of photos, maps, and drawings.
VERDICT Making a complex topic accessible to lay people, this title
is a must-have for libraries serving general adult
populations.--Jennifer Prince, Buncombe Cty. P.L. Syst., NC
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Entertaining and packed with information, this
collaborative volume from the National Air and Space Museum and the
National Museum of American History covers the history of
navigation from the days of the astrolabe to global positioning
satellites. The emphasis is on the importance of time in
establishing position. From the 16th century, European colonizing
nations offered prizes to anyone who could invent a clock that
would work at sea. The first section describes these various clocks
and the development of the ability to chart a course using
longitude, which would enable transoceanic sailing. When humans
took to the air, they discovered that they needed more exact
equipment to find their way, and during WWII the application of
radar pushed navigation into the stratosphere. This in turn led to
the developments in timekeeping that allowed even more precise
navigation to the moon and beyond. The work closes by addressing
current means of navigating via smartphone. Copiously illustrated,
this book contains fascinating anecdotes as well as a wide range of
technical information to complement the stories of those who strove
to improve the means of human exploration. (May) CHOICE This
handsome, oversize volume covers the history of navigation in sea,
air, and space, from the sea voyages of the early Chinese,
Egyptians, and Scandinavians through the development of modern GPS
techniques. Johnston and his three fellow authors (all, National
Air and Space Museum) describe the uses and importance of
astrolabes, sextants, and other historic instruments. Timekeeping
was also vital to ocean navigation, and the book details the
difficulties of inventing clocks that would work and keep accurate
time at sea. The advent of flying brought new navigating
challenges, and tools such as radio navigation systems were
developed. Space flight posed yet greater problems for navigators
and demanded more precision than ever before, and also led to
innovations that improved navigation on earth. The ability to
launch satellites into orbit made possible the Global Positioning
System, which is today the basis of almost all mapping applications
and devices. Profusely illustrated with photographs, maps, charts,
and color drawings, Time and Navigation will be excellent for
arousing interest in navigation and its history, and for providing
basic facts for student reports and projects.
--A. C. Prendergast, University of South Alabama. Summing Up:
Essential. All levels.
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