The Measure of All Things
Book description
In June 1792, amidst the chaos of the French Revolution, two intrepid astronomers set out in opposite directions on an extraordinary journey. Starting in Paris, Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Delambre would make his way north to Dunkirk, while Pierre-François-André Méchain voyaged south to Barcelona. Their mission was to measure the world, and their…
Why read it?
1 author picked The Measure of All Things as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Towards the end of the eighteenth century, two astronomers set out from Paris, one due north towards Dunkerque, the other south towards Barcelona. Their task was to measure the length of the meridian arc between these two towns and, ultimately, to determine the precise length of the new-fangled meter, meant to serve as a unit of measurement “for all people, for all time.”
This may appear to be a humdrum task. It was anything but. At that time, royal heads fell, armies sprung from the ground, and money went into hiding. The author is as painstaking about historical detail as…
From Karl's list on the poetic side of science.
Want books like The Measure of All Things?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Measure of All Things.
Share your top 3 reads of 2024!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,188
readers submitted
so far, will you?
