Customer Reviews

Alexander Graham Bell

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This book is a treasure trove--put together in part by Bell's own great-grandson--of letters, notes, journal entries, sketches, and photographs which show us (better than any other book I have seen) not only the great scientist but also the human being who was Alexander Graham Bell. I was fortunate enough to speak several times with Mr. Bell's great-grandson, Edwin S. Grosvenor--as well as with archivists at the schools for the deaf where Alec taught--in writing my play Genius in the Attic: The Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for the reader who wants to learn not only about Bell's amazing discoveries and accomplishments, but also about the man behind the science.

I love this stuff and also appreciate the tie-ins to other inventors of the day - Gray, Edison, etc. There is good intrigue and the writing, though biographical, is also constructed nicely enough to keep you wanting to now the next "chapter". Large format and well illustrated. Intriguing like those large "pirateology" or "explorer" pop-up kind of books - with all the clippings and real life tidbits right there in front of you. Since my Dad worked for Bell (Bell Canada Inc. that is ;-) ) and I heard about Brantford lots growing up, I found it particularly interesting.

This is a very nice oversized hardback book with numerous photos and information on a very fascinating subject. There are so many things that I didn't know about Alexander Graham Bell. I didn't know he was from Scotland or that both his mother and wife were deaf and that he taught the deaf. He also was involved in the founding of the National Geographic Society. He invented the metal detector in order to try and save the life of President Garfield, after Garfield was shot, by aiding in finding the bullet. He was really an amazing man to read about.