The Riddle of the Compass (Abridged)

by Amir D. Aczel Narrated by Henry Levya

Overview

The story of the compass is shrouded in mystery and myth, yet most will agree it begins around the time of the birth of Christ in ancient China. A mysterious lodestone whose powers affected metal was known to the Chinese emperor. When this piece of metal was suspended in water, it always pointed north. This unexplainable occurrence led to the stone's use in feng shui, the Chinese art of finding the right location. However, it was the Italians, more than a thousand years later, who discovered the ultimate destiny of the lodestone and unleashed its formidable powers. In Amalfi sometime in the twelfth century, the compass was born, crowning the Italians as the new rulers of the seas and heralding the onset of the modern world. Retracing the roots of the compass and sharing the fascinating story of navigation through the ages,*The Riddle of the Compass*is Aczel at his most entertaining and insightful.

Editorial Reviews

DEC 02/JAN 03 - AudioFile

To early explorers, the compass was no triviality. It allowed them to navigate for months at sea with only a few stars to help. Exploration of the world couldn’t have been done without it, but the inventor is unknown, although probably Chinese. The tool allowed men to sail in winter and over much longer distances than before, “bringing wealth to the nations who knew how to exploit it.” An occasional mispronounced English word distracts from Henry Leyva’s convincing handling of Latin and Italian, but his resonant voice employs just the right amount of expression to show he is involved and interested, making this science story enjoyable to hear. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

DEC 02/JAN 03 - AudioFile

To early explorers, the compass was no triviality. It allowed them to navigate for months at sea with only a few stars to help. Exploration of the world couldn’t have been done without it, but the inventor is unknown, although probably Chinese. The tool allowed men to sail in winter and over much longer distances than before, “bringing wealth to the nations who knew how to exploit it.” An occasional mispronounced English word distracts from Henry Leyva’s convincing handling of Latin and Italian, but his resonant voice employs just the right amount of expression to show he is involved and interested, making this science story enjoyable to hear. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172021244
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	10/02/2001
Edition description:	Abridged

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