Dava Sobel

Longitude by Dava Sobel is a book about how the first accurate clock for determining longitude was made. The book starts off by describing the longitude problem which is about how difficult it is to determine longitude at sea. In order to determine longitude, two clocks are needed, one from the home port and one based upon the local time of the ship. The difference in times allows for the longitude of the ship to be determined. However, it is very hard to make accurate clocks at sea due to the swinging motion of ships making pendulums invalid. This was such a problem that multiple governments offered prizes to solve this longitude problem with the British prize being offered by a Board of Longitude when the Board has determined that the problem…

In Galileo’s Daughter, Dava Sobel assembles an account of Galileo’s attempt to prove the heliocentric model of the universe in a world where mans’ logical reasoning is potent, yet second to his devotion to God, and by relation, the Catholic Church. Sobel writes about Galileo’s tendency to question the reasoning of those around him. Though it may not be apparent, Galileo was born into a world of great similarity to the modern day. In Galileo’s time, Science was seen as blasphemy and a tool to…

Quinton Shipps Dr. Haddox European Survey 13 October 2017 Longitude: A Tale Of History and Navigation Longitude, by Dava Sobel, is a work of historical nonfiction that tells the tale of John Harrison who, through hard work and determination, helped solve the centuries old issue of determining longitude while at sea. Sobel uses interviews with historians, as well as her own personal reading and studies to piece together the most accurate account of the events and individuals surrounding…

Galileo’s Daughter Book Review Dava Sobel, an experienced science writer, has written many books about historical figures of science. She has been a New York Times science reporter and a contributor to many other magazines and publications. She has authored or co-authored multiple prize-winning books. One of her best works is a historical memoir called Galileo’s Daughter. This book is written using the surviving letters from Galileo’s oldest daughter, Suor Maria Celeste, written to Galileo.…