SOCIAL SCIENCES

Longitude -- HIPPO TEST: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

Bloomsbury. Nov. 2007. 208p. ISBN 9780802715296. pbk. $17. ASTRONOMY/SPACE

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This early work by Sobel paved the way for her Pulitzer nominations and near-constant residency on the bestseller lists. Finding how to pinpoint a location at sea was akin to the 20th century space race. Nothing worked, everything had to be invented, and no one seemed to understand even how to start. Until a group of brilliant minds discovered and invented the necessary means and tools.

VERDICT Bright, smart, endlessly engaging, don’t miss Sobel’s early STEM triumph.

Reviewed by Neal Wyatt , Apr 01, 2024

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