Fatal attraction : magnetic mysteries of the enlightenment / by Patricia Fara
First Edition Hardcover Thriplow : Icon, 2005
Book Publishing Details
| Author: | Fara, Patricia |
| Full title: | Fatal attraction : magnetic mysteries of the enlightenment / by Patricia Fara |
| Publisher: | Thriplow : Icon, 2005 |
| Edition: | First Edition |
| Binding: | Hardcover |
| ISBN: | 1840466324 |
| EAN: | 9781840466324 |
| Pages: | 206 |
| Book ID: | 154850 |
Comments & Item Features
First Edition. Category: LIB. Language: English. ISBN: 1840466324. EAN: 9781840466324.
At the end of the 17th century, magnetism was a dark, mysterious force, known about since ancient Greece but still poorly understood. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, and magnetic expertise lay in the hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. This book tells the stories of three men who were lured by nature's strangest power. Edmond Halley set out to map the Earth's magnetic patterns and improve navigation, showing how science could help England to expand her empire. Gowin Knight, a poor clergyman's son, climbed to fame and fortune by developing powerful artificial magnets used in compasses, scientific experiments and popular magic tricks. And although Franz Mesmer claimed that his 'animal magnetism', based on harnessing invisible streams of magnetic fluid, was the revolutionary medicine of the future, he was ultimately denounced as a quack. The move from magnetic mysticism to celebrating scientific rationality is a microcosm of the Enlightenment itself. In this book the author portrays the colourful protagonists of the magnetic revolution in this tumultuous and turbulent age. An exceptional copy; fine in an equally fine dw, now mylar-sleeved. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Literally as new. ; 206 pages; Physical desc. : ix, 206 p. : ill. , ports. ; 21 cm. Includes bibliographical references. Series: Revolutions in science. Subjects: Halley, Edmond (1656-1742) --Mesmer, Franz Anton (1734-1815) --Knight, Gowin (1713-1772) --Magnetism --Compasses (Mathematical instruments) --History
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At the end of the 17th century, magnetism was a dark, mysterious force, known about since ancient Greece but still poorly understood. Tales abounded of magnets' ability to attract reluctant lovers, and magnetic expertise lay in the hands of seafarers, who had long used compasses to guide their ships. This book tells the stories of three men who were lured by nature's strangest power. Edmond Halley set out to map the Earth's magnetic patterns and improve navigation, showing how science could help England to expand her empire. Gowin Knight, a poor clergyman's son, climbed to fame and fortune by developing powerful artificial magnets used in compasses, scientific experiments and popular magic tricks. And although Franz Mesmer claimed that his 'animal magnetism', based on harnessing invisible streams of magnetic fluid, was the revolutionary medicine of the future, he was ultimately denounced as a quack. The move from magnetic mysticism to celebrating scientific rationality is a microcosm of the Enlightenment itself. In this book the author portrays the colourful protagonists of the magnetic revolution in this tumultuous and turbulent age. An exceptional copy; fine in an equally fine dw, now mylar-sleeved. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Literally as new. ; 206 pages; Physical desc. : ix, 206 p. : ill. , ports. ; 21 cm. Includes bibliographical references. Series: Revolutions in science. Subjects: Halley, Edmond (1656-1742) --Mesmer, Franz Anton (1734-1815) --Knight, Gowin (1713-1772) --Magnetism --Compasses (Mathematical instruments) --History
Check out our eBay shop! With over 250,000 hand-picked First edition, Antiquarian and out-of-print titles in an exhaustive range of subjects, there is sure to be something to catch the eye of the bibliophile, the avid researcher or the casual reader. With FREE (standard) WORLDWIDE SHIPPING as well, value is guaranteed!
Size of Item & Shipped Weight
Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram.
Keywords and Associated Terms
BZDB318 LIB; Unbranded ISBN: 1840466324 EAN: 9781840466324 Fara, Patricia Fatal attraction : magnetic mysteries of the enlightenment / by Patricia Fara