Stephenson Family Ties

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding:

 but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”

Proverbs 14:29

Just finished a surprisingly easy read...for a history book about clocks, stars, naval navigation, chronometers and stubborn, persistent, gifted artisans, scientists, mathematicians and astrologers.
Its great fun learning something new. And this book opened new realms  for me.
Persistence is a virtue.  I knew this...but the men in this book will now forever be an example for me to remember...when going against the odds,  having mighty ambition, and following your passion is the right course.
It was also interesting to learn how long and difficult the learning curve was in over-coming the debilitating problem that seafaring was without lines of longitude.  This was a mystery that was crippling to mans' progression and to learn that there were people spending the greater part of their lives in dedication to solving the mystery....some for the notoriety, some for the cash prize and that some worked on it just for the challenge of solving a mystery...was fascinating.  

"Rome wasnt built in a day, they say.  Even a small of Rome, the Sistine Chapel,

took eight years to construct, plus another eleven years to decorate, with 

Michelangelo sprawled atop his scaffolding from 1508 to 1512, frescoing 

scenes from the Old Testament on the ceiling.  Fourteen years passed from

conception to the casting of the Statue of Liberty.  The carving of the Mount

Rushmore Monument likewise spanned a period of  fourteen years.  The Suez

and Panama Canals each took about ten years to excavate, and it was 

arguably ten years from the decision to put a man on the moon to the successful

landing of Apollo lunar module.  

It took John Harrison nineteen years to build H-3. (his first 'clock' for seafaring.)  

This was a small and easily read book...and well worth the time.  I have a whole new appreciation for  history, geography, science and exploration.
**** for me!

now on to a book about the mystery of why whales sing....should be interesting