Revolution in Time: Clocks and the Making of the Modern World

by David S. Landes

Overview

More than a decade after the publication of his dazzling book on the cultural, technological, and manufacturing aspects of measuring time and making clocks, David Landes has significantly expanded Revolution in Time.

In a new preface and scores of updated passages, he explores new findings about medieval and early-modern time keeping, as well as contemporary hi-tech uses of the watch as mini-computer, cellular phone, and even radio receiver or television screen. While commenting on the latest research, Landes never loses his focus on the historical meaning of time and its many perceptions and uses, questions that go beyond history, that involve philosophers and possibly, theologians and literary folk as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674002821
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2000
Edition description:	Revised and Enlarged Edition
Pages:	544
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

David S. Landes was Coolidge Professor of History and Professor of Economics, Emeritus, Harvard University, and the author of The Wealth and Poverty of Nations.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Part 1: Finding Time

1. A Magnificent Dead End

2. Why Are the Memorials Late?

3. Are You Sleeping, Brother John?

4. The Greatest Necessity for Every Rank of Men

Part 2: Keeping Time

5. My Time Is My Time

6. Of Toys and Ornaments and Serious Things

7. My Time Is Your Time

8. Approaching the Asymptote

9. The Man Who Stayed to Dinner

10. The French Connection

11. Fame Is the Spur

Part 3: Making Time

12. Clocks in the Belfry

13. The Good Old Days That Never Were

14. The Ups and Downs of International Competition

15. Multum in Parvo

16. Notwithstanding the Barrenness of the Soil

17. Nor Could He Compete with Us

18. Ah, But He Could!

19. Not One in Fifty Thousand

20. Who Killed Cock Robin?

21. The Quartz Revolution

Appendix A: Escapements

Appendix B: Tables

Notes

Credits for Illustrations

Index

Editorial Reviews

The text scintillates with wise and witty aphorisms...Landes notes that clocks are the product of "ingenuity, craftsmanship, artistry and elegance": so is this book.

London Review of Books - David Cannadine

Probably the most widely praised book ever written about the history of timekeeping, this book offers an encyclopedic and colorful account of time measurement from the first weight-driven clocks of the Middle Ages to the atomic clocks of today.

American Time

David Landes is a splendid storyteller...The book abounds with anecdotes about people, not only those who made the clocks and watches but also those who bought and used them...Without doubt, this book will become a standard work in the history of timekeeping—and it's also fun to read.

Derek Howse

Stunning...Revolution in Time fairly radiates the author's own delight. Like the classic clocks it so lovingly describes, it is an exhilarating monument to human ingenuity.

Newsweek - Jim Miller

The book is a pleasure to read, for the quality of the author's thinking, for the slightly acid perceptiveness of his observations, and for the often enchanting aptness of his quotations and examples.

New York Review of Books - E. J. Hobsbawm

Reviews of the previous edition: A wonderful book...It's richly detailed and illustrated, extremely informative, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Los Angeles Times Book Review

[Landes] has an eye for the odd, amusing detail and manages to convey a great enthusiasm for his subject...His book contains a wealth of piquant information that left me musing when I closed it.

Tracy Kidder

The text scintillates with wise and witty aphorisms...Landes notes that clocks are the product of "ingenuity, craftsmanship, artistry and elegance" so is this book.--David Cannadine "London Review of Books"

[Landes] has an eye for the odd, amusing detail and manages to convey a great enthusiasm for his subject...His book contains a wealth of piquant information that left me musing when I closed it.--Tracy Kidder "New York Times Book Review"

David Landes is a splendid storyteller...The book abounds with anecdotes about people, not only those who made the clocks and watches but also those who bought and used them...Without doubt, this book will become a standard work in the history of timekeeping--and it's also fun to read.--Derek Howse "Washington Post"

Probably the most widely praised book ever written about the history of timekeeping, this book offers an encyclopedic and colorful account of time measurement from the first weight-driven clocks of the Middle Ages to the atomic clocks of today.-- "American Time" (12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM)

Reviews of the previous edition: A wonderful book...It's richly detailed and illustrated, extremely informative, and thoroughly enjoyable.-- "Los Angeles Times Book Review"

Stunning...Revolution in Time fairly radiates the author's own delight. Like the classic clocks it so lovingly describes, it is an exhilarating monument to human ingenuity.--Jim Miller "Newsweek"

The book is a pleasure to read, for the quality of the author's thinking, for the slightly acid perceptiveness of his observations, and for the often enchanting aptness of his quotations and examples.--E. J. Hobsbawm "New York Review of Books"

From the Publisher

Reviews of the previous edition: A wonderful book...It's richly detailed and illustrated, extremely informative, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Los Angeles Times Book Review

Explores the historical meaning of time and its many perceptions and uses. This revised edition contains a new preface and discusses new findings on medieval and early-modern time keeping. Also new to this edition is discussion of contemporary high-tech uses of the watch as a mini-computer, cellular phone, and even radio receiver or television screen. Includes b&w photos of timepieces. Landes is Coolidge Professor of History and professor of economics, emeritus, at Harvard University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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