Alexander Graham Bell (Hardcover)

by Edwin S. Grosvenor (Author), Morgan Wesson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews
Great inventors tend to become so closely identified with their most famous invention that their very lives become obscured. As this terse, admiring assessment of Bell's (18471922) life makes clear, the telephone--his greatest accomplishment and a leading invention of the 19th century--represented only one element in his long and restless career. He also devised the first practical phonograph and did important work on aviation in its infancy. This shy, amiable man also headed the National Geographic Society, was an outspoken proponent of civil rights, and worried publicly about the impact of technology on the environment. Grosvenor, Bell's great-grandson, and Wesson, a documentary filmmaker, offer a useful overview of Bell's professional achievements, succinct descriptions of his ideas, and a lively account of the telephone's impact on American society. The 405 illustrations (35 in color) offer a fascinating view of Bell's high-spirited family life and circle of friends, and of the early years of the telephone business. An effective marriage of text and photographs, and a succinct portrait of a decent man and a remarkable scientist. (Book-of-the-Month Club featured selection; History Book Club alternate selection) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review
[R]arely have inventor and invention been better served than in the 400 illustrations, many of them Bell family photos, assembled by Edwin S. Grosvenor and Morgan Wesson.... -- The New York Times Book Review, David Walton

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; First Edition edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810940051
• ISBN-13: 978-0810940055
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #996,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a restless genius, June 19, 2009

By	Douglas Jones (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.