Former library book with usual stamps and stickers. Wear on corners and edges. Book in good condition. Binding is good. Ships direct from Amazon! Former library book with usual stamps and stickers. Wear on corners and edges. Book in good condition. Binding is good. Ships direct from Amazon! See less

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Compass: A Story of Exploration and Innovation New edition

by Alan Gurney (Author)

4.3 97 ratings

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"The compass's rocky evolution is charted with an enthusiast's passion…A fascinating adventure." ―Bernadette Murphy, Los Angeles Times

This is the rich history of the most important navigational device of all time, the magnetic compass, born of the need for a reliable means of negotiating treacherous sea routes around the globe. Compass chronicles the misadventures of those who attempted to perfect the instrument―so precious to sixteenth-century seamen that, by law, any man found tampering with one had his hand pinned to the mast with a dagger. Part history, part adventure, this book is a compelling tribute to human ingenuity―and the mysteries of the sea.

20 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mr. Gurney does not forget the adventure, reward, and yes, danger that compelled man to explore in the first place."
― Brendan Miniter, Wall Street Journal

"A colorful line of scientists, engineers and sailors [are] described by Gurney with a novelist’s eye for detail."
― American Scientist

"[An] engaging foray into vistas and voyages of the past."
― Publishers Weekly

"Fast-paced and informative, Compass is a worthy investment."
― Raymond Leach, Virginian-Pilot

"[Gurney] tells―and clearly loves―marvelous stories of sailing and the sea. He has dug into diaries, logs, and historic accounts of catastrophic storms and battles, of the mortal perils of rocks and reefs. His sagas relate to the necessities and developments of navigation, but many are told almost cinematically."
― Michael Pakenham, Baltimore Sun

About the Author

Alan Gurney was a former yacht designer and photographer. His books include Compass, The Race to the White Continent, and Below the Convergence: Voyages Toward Antarctica: 1699–1839.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; New edition (August 17, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393327132
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393327137
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.8 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,797,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #658 in Engineering Patents & Inventions
- #3,239 in History of Technology
- #10,122 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.3 97 ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides a good historical overview of the compass and its impact on sailing. They describe it as an interesting, enjoyable read for anyone interested in navigation, history, and science. The stories weave a tale of intrigue, greed, and power struggles while providing details about the trials and tribulations of sailors.

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History Readability Story quality

13 customers mention "History"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's history engaging and informative. They say it provides a good historical read for anyone interested in science, navigation, or boating. The book offers a view of world history through the compass and is recommended for people interested in history of science and naval/shipping history.

"...This book gives a great history of the evolution of the modern compass from the very start, all the while weaving a tale of intrigue, greed and..." Read more

"...am eternally grateful for Gurney's hard work in bringing me such great information mingled with engaging stories that give them vivid context...." Read more

"...Very enjoyable and informative." Read more

"This is a brilliant examination of the history of the compass and its impact on sailing. This edition is worthy of careful reading...." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging for anyone interested in navigation, history, and compasses. They say it's informative and instructive, with lots of details and stories about compass use.

"...A great read for anyone interested in navigation, history and well, compasses in general. Worth the price of admission." Read more

"...If you liked the bestseller "Longitude", or you navigate boats, this is a must read. Very enjoyable and informative." Read more

"...This edition is worthy of careful reading. Sailors will love this book." Read more

"...and improvements of ships' compasses are described, and it's both entertaining and informative. The author has done a wonderful job...." Read more

5 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging stories in the book. They find the information mingled with vivid context, weaving a tale of intrigue, greed, and power. The book covers all the trials and tribulations, providing ample details and context.

"...of the modern compass from the very start, all the while weaving a tale of intrigue, greed and lust for power that rivals Washington today...." Read more

"...This book covers all the trials and tribulations." Read more

"...'s hard work in bringing me such great information mingled with engaging stories that give them vivid context...." Read more

"The book is easy to read and has lots of details and stories about the history of the compass...." Read more

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HarpJust Harp
Interesting read...
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book was a replacement for one that I had misplaced after reading it a couple of times. I liked this book so much I wanted to read it again, so i ordered another copy! This book gives a great history of the evolution of the modern compass from the very start, all the while weaving a tale of intrigue, greed and lust for power that rivals Washington today.
A great read for anyone interested in navigation, history and well, compasses in general. Worth the price of admission.

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Henry Haslebacher
An excellent book about an aspect of navigation that is usually taken for granted
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Before I read this book, I had an impression that a compass was old technology that while somewhat flawed (it pointed to magnetic north rather than true north) was generally reliable. Not so. It took longer to develop a reliable compass than it did to develop the chronograph to measure longitude. This book covers all the trials and tribulations.

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John Gookin
This is the British history of the compass
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2007
Verified Purchase
I learned a LOT about compasses from this book, and I have literally written instruction manuals for teaching about compass use. I am eternally grateful for Gurney's hard work in bringing me such great information mingled with engaging stories that give them vivid context.

But I found the whole story to be overly British-centric. Gurney mentions some evolutions of the compass outside of Britain, and he does a good job at the end, at least mentioning how various Brits discarded valuable clues about compasses they had clearly seen over the second millenium. But I think Gurney is at least 10% as guilty as the bureaucratic villains of his book, shining his spotlight on the British advances, and giving cursory treatment to the non-British advances. I mean this in the best light possible: the subtitle ought to be "the evolution of the British marine compass."

I also learned an incredible amount of history about the British empire at their acme. Gurney helps me understand both what the Brits gave to the world, and how their bureaucracy routinely shot them in the foot.

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17 people found this helpful

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Roland
Great read
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Author mixes side stories of historical examples of navigation screw-ups due to poor understanding of compass design and variability of earth's magnetic field. If you liked the bestseller "Longitude", or you navigate boats, this is a must read. Very enjoyable and informative.

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Stephen D. Regan
Excellence in Navigationsal history
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2019
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This is a brilliant examination of the history of the compass and its impact on sailing. This edition is worthy of careful reading. Sailors will love this book.

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Gary Upshaw
Great for Geeks
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2021
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You thought the use of the compass is simple? Read this book to discover the history of this simple device, and the connection to some of the greatest physicists.

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Mark S Dewey
Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2015
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A good historical read that adds nicely to a library if you have a technical maritime interest.

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One person found this helpful

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Saint Bob
Tons of historical info, very entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
Any technology, navigation or boating nerd will appreciate the history described in this book. The development, obstacles, and even politics surrounding the development and improvements of ships' compasses are described, and it's both entertaining and informative. The author has done a wonderful job. I don't know how he found the time, between designing amazing sailboats. I suspect he time-traveled on the side.

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2 people found this helpful

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pearl
羅針盤の歴史ー科学技術の背後にある人間の営みを描いて読み応えあり
Reviewed in Japan on May 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
航海に欠かせない羅針盤の歴史を詳述したノンフィクション．羅針盤を中心に据えた航海術の歴史としても読むことができる好著．時代は13～20世紀．方向磁石は古代から知られていたが，これを荒天下の揺れる船上でも安定に使うには大変な技術が必要である．また羅針盤が指す北は地図上の真の北ではなく，場所によって異なり，また経年変化を伴う偏差，船内の磁性部品の影響による自差があり，これを正確に補正する必要がある．このずれに起因する遭難事故も後を断たず，この補正のために先人は血の滲むような努力を重ねてきた．また自ら設計した羅針盤を海軍や船会社に売り込むために，発明家はあの手この手を使って立ち回る．

単なる事実の羅列に終わらず，科学技術の背後にある生臭い人間の営みを描いており，読み応えのある内容である．記述がほぼイギリスに限定されていることはイギリスが世界の海を支配していた事情を考えれば止むを得ないとしても，挿図がほとんどないことは残念である．船好き，海好き，科学好きにおすすめ．

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David
Three Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
not as comprehensive as hoped.

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