From: Ruth I Gordon <druthgo>
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 16:55:28 -0800

I thought I had commented on Dash's fine piece of dual historical biography: the biography of the clockmaker, John Harrison, and the biography of his clocks. Dash gives Harrison and the situations of the sailors who made rough (very) estimates of their positions at sea and too often ended dead, a result of dead reckoning. ( Brit. navy officers, too many who bought their positions often are shown as the ignorant, dangerous, cock-of-the-poop deck commanders of the ships of the line.) Harrison comes through as a rough, brilliant, stubborn (or persevering, if you prefer--and I do) man too often put down by those of higher rank--in an age where rank and social position were more important than accomplishment. (Hmmm--seems very modern in the political life of the U.S., doesn't it.) Dash personalizes sharply, shapes the historical and political situations of the time and causes that "evil" man (he wasn't--he was just in over his head) George III to be a hero, of sorts. The author also provides the scholarly paraphrenalia--which is also interesting, especially the time line and glossary. I know that I have written (somewhere) that this book walks hand in hand with Hesse's "Stowaway."

In a year of really superior nonfiction, I had rather hoped that this book
(and "Stowaway") would be considered worthy of, AT MINIMUM, Newby mentions. AND..it would be great to present as a read-aloud (as would "Stowaway".)

Hmmmph.

Thine on the line,

Big Grandma (admiral of the western sea--or is that Ralegh??)

"You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass the guilty." Jessica Mitford (191796)
Received on Thu 15 Mar 2001 06:55:28 PM CST