I got this good-condition hardcover, signed by the author, from the by-the-pound room at the Hudson Goodwill store, and was glad of another release copy.

It's a fascinating tale indeed, involving a brilliant clockmaker who managed to construct clocks that could maintain near-perfect time even aboard ships at sea, something that enabled the first truly accurate longitude-calculations. But the story's not just about the instruments he built - though they're pretty darned impressive. Politics and pride prevented some of the higher-ups from accepting his work immediately, and he had to jump through hoops, go on field-test voyages (excruciating for one prone to seasickness) and wait (and wait, and wait) for the bureaucracy to award him the prize he'd earned.

I enjoyed reading about his work, and got frustrated on his behalf at all the delays, and was intrigued to learn that his first several clocks are still in existence and (mostly) on display at the National Maritime Museum in London. After reading about them (especially H1, the largest and most complex-looking - it's a steampunk fan's dream, all gears and brass and complexity!), I wish I'd gone to see them last time I was in London; will definitely do so if I ever get there again. (The museum web site has this page on Harrison and his clocks, with some pictures and video clips - worth a look!)

I also recommend the excellent 2000 mini-series adaptation.

I left the book in this colorful LFL on this beautiful fall day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2017 Tick Tock release challenge. ***