From Calendars and Clocks to Moon Cycles and Light Years--A History
October 1, 2014
This handy book introduces readers to the history of all things time. Starting with the big bang, moving along through Homo sapiens' early years, medieval timepieces, and up to the current day, Evers (To Be or Not To Be: And Everything Else You Should Know from Shakespeare) surveys not only how we keep time but also delves into the conception of time itself. Along the way, the author ably introduces readers to a variety of timekeeping devices, historical tidbits, and relevant facts. Examples of items covered include improvements in devices such as pendulums and water clocks; interested parties, including Galileo, Isaac Newton, and John Harrison; and germane concepts from the geologic timescale to the idea of an apocalyptic end of time. One of the more exciting chapters, "Space Time," covers thornier issues including black holes, light years, the multiverse, and parallel dimensions. Also included are a judicious number of sidebars that tackle items such as blue moons, the story of Philip II of Spain and the clockwork monk, and literary clocks such as Miss Havisham's stopped timepiece from Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. VERDICT This clever little book is a satisfying page-turner and will find a ready readership among those with a scientific mind-set and anyone concerned with the history of time.--Brian Odom, Birmingham, AL
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