Reviews
From the reviews:"This book was clearly a labor of love; Murdin has brought his passion for astronomy and its history to a topic which on the surface appears quite apart from this activity. … The publisher has supported Murdin's effort with a physically appealing, aesthetic work, on high quality paper, complete with lovely diagrams and photographs. … I recommend it for the general reader. … For the motivated reader, the effort will be well rewarded with a picaresque journey through a relatively unknown section of scientific history." (Library Thing, May, 2009)"The immediate impression of the book is quality … . Murdin starts the journey with a very brief introduction to the relationship between mapping latitude and longitude and the movement of astronomical bodies such as Jupiter. … Throughout the entire book, Murdin skillfully balances the technical details mapping techniques and instruments … . Overall, this book is a handsome, quality, very readable volume that deserves a prominent position in any history of science and engineering." (Library Thing, April, 2009)"British astronomer Murdin … carefully examines the history of the Paris meridian in a work designed to highlight the adventures connected with the performance of what many might see as rather tedious research. … In a report that stretches over centuries, Murdin is careful to define terms, introduce the important characters, and include many nice illustrations. … Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (M.-K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 46 (10), June, 2009)This modestly priced volume takes us on three journeys. The first is across the globe … to discover the true figure of the Earth, and all this amid the turmoil surrounding the French Revolution. … The second journey is through time, in which the role of the meridian is discussed … . And finally, we are taken on a journey across Paris, along the meridian … provided that the book can act as a guide for those wishing to follow the trail for themselves. (David Stickland, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1213), December, 2009), From the reviews: "This book was clearly a labor of love; Murdin has brought his passion for astronomy and its history to a topic which on the surface appears quite apart from this activity. ... The publisher has supported Murdin's effort with a physically appealing, aesthetic work, on high quality paper, complete with lovely diagrams and photographs. ... I recommend it for the general reader. ... For the motivated reader, the effort will be well rewarded with a picaresque journey through a relatively unknown section of scientific history." (Library Thing, May, 2009) "The immediate impression of the book is quality ... . Murdin starts the journey with a very brief introduction to the relationship between mapping latitude and longitude and the movement of astronomical bodies such as Jupiter. ... Throughout the entire book, Murdin skillfully balances the technical details mapping techniques and instruments ... . Overall, this book is a handsome, quality, very readable volume that deserves a prominent position in any history of science and engineering." (Library Thing, April, 2009) "British astronomer Murdin ... carefully examines the history of the Paris meridian in a work designed to highlight the adventures connected with the performance of what many might see as rather tedious research. ... In a report that stretches over centuries, Murdin is careful to define terms, introduce the important characters, and include many nice illustrations. ... Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (M.-K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 46 (10), June, 2009) "This modestly priced volume takes us on three journeys. The first is across the globe ... to discover the true figure of the Earth, and all this amid the turmoil surrounding the French Revolution. ... The second journey is through time, in which the role of the meridian is discussed ... . And finally, we are taken on a journey across Paris, along the meridian ... provided that the book can act as a guide for those wishing to follow the trail for themselves." (David Stickland, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1213), December, 2009)
