Time (chronology), time systems and standards Books

Book Synopsis‘Clever, inventive and a cracking read’ – Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl A locked-room mystery packed with rooftop chases, hidden codes and mind-bending science, The Clockwork Conspiracy is a must for fans of the Adventures on Trains series and Sharna Jackson's High Rise mysteries. Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him. Hunting a trail of clues through London’s landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father – and time itself. ‘An ingenious mystery full of fascinating facts. Sedgman has cracked the code for an absolute triumph of a book’ – A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief ‘The Clockwork Conspiracy offers a captivating and perilous adventure that surprises and delights at every turn’ – Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island ‘A smart and pacey thriller. Time well spent’ – The Times ‘A taut, tense mystery with perfectly-timed plotting, this is guaranteed to make the time fly’ - Maz Evans, author of Who Let the Gods Out? ‘A gripping mystery delivered with panache’ ­– The Observer ‘A thrilling story from start to finish’ ­­– Inis Magazine ‘THE CLOCKWORK CONSPIRACY is a fiendishly clever contraption, featuring brilliantly savvy characters and a well-wound plot that ticks along like – what else? – clockwork’ - Andy Sagar, author of Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup ‘A thrilling locked-room mystery, with a plot as beautifully engineered as clockwork’ - Pari Thomson, author of Greenwild: The World Behind the Door ‘An action-packed, thrilling adventure’ – The Week Junior ‘A rapid adventure, combined with an encyclopaedic focus on a particular subject – and an ability to make it sing’ – The Telegraph ‘I predict this will be a very popular addition to any library, home or classroom’ – Books for KeepsTrade ReviewAn ingenious mystery full of fascinating facts. Sedgman has cracked the code for an absolute triumph of a book * A.F. Steadman *Clever, inventive and a cracking read * Eoin Colfer *The Clockwork Conspiracy offers a captivating and perilous adventure that surprises and delights at every turn. I raced through this brilliant page-turning mystery, and loved every breathless minute! * Catherine Doyle *A taut, tense mystery with perfectly-timed plotting, this is guaranteed to make the time fly * Maz Evans *A race of a read. Once you open this book you will not be able to stop reading until the very last sentence. It is the definition of a page-turner. Thrilling, exciting and compelling, Sam Sedgman has written a clever adventure ruled by time and rife with political intrigue, constructing a plot with unexpected twists and turns. A refreshingly contemporary adventure and brilliant fun. * M.G Leonard *An adventure so gripping you will feel like time has stopped! Isaac and Hattie‘s quest through London will keep you reading until your own clock says it’s way past bedtime * Chris Smith *Hugely exciting, hugely fun sure-fire clock-ticking hit * Sam Copeland *THE CLOCKWORK CONSPIRACY is a fiendishly clever contraption, featuring brilliantly savvy characters and a well-wound plot that ticks along like – what else? – clockwork. * Andrew Sagar *A twisty-turny adventure that will have you hopping across the rooftops of parliament and uncovering mysteries in underground tunnels. Isaac Turner is a real page turner! * Annabelle Sami *A thrilling locked-room mystery, with a plot as beautifully engineered as clockwork. * Pari Thomson *Like Arthur Conan Doyle meets Back to the Future * Elle McNicoll *Perfect for science lovers and codebreakers everywhere, The Clockwork Conspiracy is a gripping, high-stakes thriller with more twists and turns than a Rubik’s Cube! I cannot wait to read more of Isaac Turner’s investigations * Jennifer Bell *I predict this will be a very popular addition to any library, home or classroom and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. * Books for Keeps *This is a thrilling story from start to finish. […] This is a book for anyone who loves a good adventure story, as its mysteries will keep you guessing just what’s going to happen next, while the action will have you on the edge of your seat * Inis Magazine *A rapid adventure, combined with an encyclopaedic focus on a particular subject – and an ability to make it sing * The Telegraph *The Clockwork Conspiracy is a gripping mystery delivered with panache [...] A timely thriller that roots for the democratic process. * The Observer *An action-packed, thrilling adventure * The Week Junior *The whole thing whirrs along like a high-concept Alex Rider novel, never missing a beat, thanks to a tightly wound plot […] A smart and pacey thriller. Time well spent. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTime is relative, situation-dependent, location- and culturally-dependent, and very much subjective. Yet we treat it as if it were objective. We share standardized time, and we are dependent on it for almost everything we do. When it comes to waking up, business meetings, transportation, finding your way via GPS, seeing friends, watching a show, we are all dependent on a standardized notion of time and time measurement. The future gives us hope and deadlines drive innovation and productivity. Time drives us forward and we talk about time – all the time! The word “time” is the most used noun in English, followed by “year” in third place and “day” in fifth. We are obsessed with it, for a lot of very good and practical reasons. The book looks at time through different perspectives (ranging from physics, history, philosophy, anthropology to art, business & politics, biology and psychology). The author’s aim is to bring us closer to the nature and our experience of time by looking at it from different lenses to improve our understanding of what time is and what it is not – and to use that knowledge to improve how we organize ourselves around time. It’s by better understanding time’s nature and experience that we can keep the positive and productive elements of time and get rid of the unhealthy time practices in our lives.

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Book SynopsisIn 2016 Professor Stephen Hawking delivered the BBC Reith Lectures on a subject that has fascinated him for decades - black holes. In these flagship lectures the legendary physicist argues that if we could only understand black holes and how they challenge the very nature of space and time, we could unlock the secrets of the universe.Trade ReviewMaster of the Universe... One scientist's courageous voyage to the frontiers of the Cosmos * Newsweek *He can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit... His is a brain of extraordinary power * Observer *One of the most brilliant scientific minds since Einstein * Daily Express *To follow such a fine mind as it exposes such great problems is an exciting experience * Sunday Times *The most brilliant British scientist of his generation * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisCan we see the future in our dreams?Does time flow in one direction?What is a 'meaningful coincidence'?Renowned esoteric writer Gary Lachman has been recording his own precognitive dreams for forty years. In this unique and intriguing book, Lachman recounts the discovery that he dreams 'ahead of time', and argues convincingly that this extraordinary ability is, in fact, shared by all of us.Dreaming Ahead of Time is a personal exploration of precognition, synchronicity and coincidence drawing on the work of thinkers including J.W. Dunne, J.B. Priestly and C.G. Jung. Lachman's description and analysis of his own experience introduces readers to the uncanny power of our dreaming minds, and reveals the illusion of our careful distinctions between past, present and future.Trade ReviewPraise for Lost Knowledge of the Imagination by Gary Lachman:'Very important.' -- Philip Pullman 'One of the leading students of the western esoteric tradition, Lachman has published critical studies of Swedenborg, Madame Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, P.D. Ouspensky and Jung -- and he has done so without being raptly worshipful or casually dismissive.' -- Washington Post 'Lachman manages to make basic concepts in esoteric philosophy and history lively as well as readable.' -- Kirkus Reviews 'Lachman creates a history of ideas that fascinates and excites.' -- New York Journal of Books 'An excellent book -- scholarly but eminently readable by anyone seeking appreciation of the spiritual.' -- Alister Hardy Society Praise for The Caretakers of the Cosmos by Gary Lachman:'This is one of the most stimulating and significant books on the subject in years. The Caretakers of the Cosmos is an essential work for all who are curious about what makes us uniquely human, and about how we can all participate, each in our own way, in the creation of a fuller and more satisfying world.' -- Parabola magazine'Lachman's depth of reading and research are admirable, and he weaves the story well, developing what is becoming increasingly obvious -- that all of human history reflects the evolution of consciousness.' -- Scientific and Medical Network Review

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Book SynopsisA neuroscientist investigates how the architecture of the human brain shapes our understanding of the nature of time.Trade Review"Our experience of time is not the same as time itself; the former is largely our creation. French philosopher Henri Bergson once publicly debated this point with Einstein – and lost. If only he’d had recourse to this book, written by one of the first neuroscientists to ask how the human brain encodes time. Take that, Albert!" -- Science books we’re keen to read in 2017 - New Scientist"... a readable exploration of how the architecture of the human brain shapes our understanding of the nature of time." -- The Bookseller"Apparently elastic and possibly illusory, time is a puzzle to physicists and neuroscientists alike. Dean Buonomano straddles the divide, invoking cutting-edge theory and research as he wrestles with the often glaring mismatch between physical and 'felt' time. The result is immensely engaging..." -- Nature"Buonomano’s ambition is inspiring and his writing is rich, combining a readable style with illustrative examples... it [Your Brain is a Time Machine] hits the ambitious target of being both thorough and accessible." -- Chemistry World"... nothing if not an entertaining read." -- Nature Physics

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Book SynopsisTime is central to our lived experience of the world. Yet, as this book reveals, it is startlingly difficult to reconcile the way we seem to experience time with many of the theories presented to us in physics and metaphysics. This comprehensive and accessible introduction guides the unfamiliar reader through difficult questions at the intersection of the metaphysics and physics of time. It starts with the assumption that physics and metaphysics are inextricably connected, and that each can, and should, shed light on the other. The authors explore a range of views about the nature of time, showing how different these are from the way we typically think about time and our place in it. They consider such questions as: whether time travel is possible, and, if it is, whether we can change the past; whether there is a single moment that is objectively present; whether time flows or is static; and whether, ultimately, time exists at all. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Time will appeal to students of physics and philosophy who want both a comprehensive overview of the area and enough depth to allow for rigorous discussion. The book’s detailed readings and exercises will challenge students and provide a clear roadmap for further study.Trade Review‘The metaphysics of time can be a tough nut to crack. Using down-to-earth language and highlighting important concepts, this highly readable book does an admirable job of giving students the tools they need to understand the field.’Craig Callender, UC San Diego ‘A simply excellent book that deserves to be read and is, I think, the best introduction to the topic of the philosophy of time on the market.’Jonathan Tallant, University of NottinghamTable of ContentsList of Figures Introduction 1. Dynamic and Static Theories of Time 2. The Passage of Time 3. The Experience of Time 4. Time and Physics 5. Temporal Asymmetries 6. Time and Causation 7. Persistence through Time 8. The Paradoxes of Time Travel Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisHow old is Earth? Can we look back in time? How long is a light year? How short is a femtosecond? What is Greenwich Mean Time? How did astronauts tell the time on the Moon? When did time begin? It's high time you knew the answers to these and many more intriguing questions, so why not pass the time reading this lighthearted, illustrated miscellany, packed with hundreds of amazing facts from the time experts at the Royal Observatory. In less than no time, you'll have discovered the myriad of influences that time has on our daily lives.

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.When Shinoy downloads the Chaos Crew app on his phone, a glitch in the system gives him the power to summon his TV heroes into his world. With the team on board, Shinoy can figure out what dastardly plans S.N.A.I.R. has come up with, and save the day.Location: Somewhere very high upOperative: Mustang HarryMission: Stop the clock and start time. Don't look down!This exciting title is part of the Shinoy and the Chaos Crew series by Chris Callaghan.White/Band 10 books have more complex sentences and figurative language.Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

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Book SynopsisIn About Time: Einstein''s Unfinished Revolution Paul Davies confronts the puzzles and paradoxes of time that have bemused the world''s greatest thinkers throughout the ages.When Albert Einstein formulated his theory of relativity it brought about a revolution in our understanding of time, yet also presented a new set of mysteries. Einstein''s time can be warped, leading to bizarre possibilities such as black holes and time travel, while making a nonsense of our perception of a ''now'' or a division of time into past, present and future.In About Time Paul Davies tackles the tough questions about time, including the strange relationship between physical time and our psychological perception of it. He gives straightforward descriptions of topics such as the theory of relativity, the relation between time dilation and the speed of light and Hawking''s ''imaginary time''. He concludes that, despite decades of progress in unravelling the mysteries of Table of ContentsA very brief history of time; time for a change; timewarps; black holes - gateways to the end of time; the beginning of time - when exactly was it?; Einstein's greatest triumph?; quantum time; imaginary time; the arrow of time; backwards in time; time travel - fact or fantasy?; but what time is it now?; experimenting with time; the unfinished revolution.

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Book SynopsisAn accessible and thought-provoking introduction to timespans in the natural world, featuring more than 80 beautifully designed diagrams and charts.Which organisms live the longest? How does the natural world recover from wildfires? How long do eggs take to hatch? What are the world's fastest- and slowest- growing plants? Which species invest the most in parental care?The graphic number line is a potent pattern that explains much of our world, from the life cycle of immortal jellyfish to the perfect amount of time for a good sleep'. Beautifully illustrated with reader-friendly infographics and stunning colour photography, How Nature Keeps Time visually maps the amounts of time bounded by growth, distance, age, reproduction, sleep, death and other key behaviours. Join science and comedy writer Helen Pilcher as she examines a broad range of species from across the world and throughout time. As our natural world draws our attention to its plight, this fascinating book offerTrade ReviewA beautifully designed hardback. * BBC Wildlife *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Evolutionary Spans Chapter Two: Ecological Spans Chapter Three: Life Spans Chapter Four: Growth Spans Chapter Five: Behavioural Spans Chapter Six: Biological Spans Further Reading Index Image Credits

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Book SynopsisThe idea of time travel has tantalised humans for millennia. We can send humans into space, but roaming through time has eluded us. Do the laws of physics demand that we stay forever trapped in the present?THIS BOOK IS FROM THE FUTURE examines the past, present and future states of time-travel research, but, also, looks at the bizarre anomalies of time itself. In this fascinating new work, you''ll explore:Time travel theories and machines of the past, present and futureTime and the multiverse: why wormholes, parallel universes and extra dimensions might allow for time travelThe paranormal aspects of time: might we already be "mentally" time travelling?Mysterious time shifts, slips and warps that people are reporting all over the world. Are we experiencing coexisting timelines?Time travel conspiracy theories: Are we already walking among real time travellers? Has a real time machine already been created in a top-secret government facility?THIS BOOK IS FROM THE FUTURE is a mesmerising journey through the entire landscape of time and time-travel evolution, where we started, where we now stand and what the future holds for us to discover, out there ...somewhere...in time.

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Book SynopsisDeep time is the timescale of the geological events that have shaped our planet. Whilst so immense as to challenge human understanding, its evidence is nonetheless visible all around us. Through explanations of the latest research and over 200 fascinating images, Deep Time explores this evidence, from the visible layers in ancient rock to the hiss of static on the radio, and from fossilized shark's teeth to underwater forests. These relics of ancient epochs, many of which we can see and touch today, connect our present to the distant past and answer broader questions about our place in the timeline of the Earth.Charting 4.5 billion years of geological history, this is the story of our world, from its birth to the dawn of civilization. Table of ContentsEarly Life • Neutrinos • Static • Baryon acoustic oscillations • The Hubble deep fields • Supernova 1997ff • Star clusters • The Wold Cottage meteorite • The missing nuclides • Moon rock • The Canyon Diablo meteorite • Zircons • Impossible lifeforms • The Allan Hills Martian meteorite • Boltwood's uraninite • Acaster gneiss • Stromatolites • Hintze Hall Pilbara iron rock • Snowball Earth • Detrital uraninite • The Grand Canyon - and more.

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Book SynopsisEvery significant choice, every important decision we make, is determined by our perception of time. This is the most influential force in our lives, yet we are virtually unaware of it. In this fascinating book, the award-winning past president of the American Psychological Association, Philip Zimbardo, and his co-author, John Boyd, show how:- the way you perceive time is as unique as your fingerprints- these individual time perspectives shape your life, and the world around you- you can change the way you perceive time, so you get the most out of every minute- if you don't, the power of time in the modern world is so immense that it will take its toll on youThe Time Paradox is a highly readable, stimulating look at a subject that absorbs us all.Trade ReviewComprehensive, admirably clear, and a delightful read * Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan *Reveals how to better use your most irreplaceable resource, based on solid science and timeless wisdom * Martin Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness *Compelling and practical * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA quirky, funny, and accessible blend of science and art that delves into the heart of Einstein’s theory of relativityTrade Review“What makes Reimagining Time unique is the complementary talents of its authors, a father-daughter team, who together create an enjoyable yet challenging exposition of [Einstein’s theory of relatvitiy].”—J. F. Burkhart, Choice“[This book’s] aim to provide a non-mathematical but quantitative description of SR—is as laudable as it is challenging. Just maybe it will appeal to enough readers to make it a cult classic.”—Peter Main, Physics Education“Hop aboard the relativity train with this lively and creative introduction to the most significant ideas of Einstein’s relativity. A spirited intellectual adventure!”—David Kaiser, author of Quantum Legacies: Dispatches from an Uncertain World“Understanding Einstein’s theory of special relativity can be hard. In the engaging and artfully illustrated Reimagining Time Tanya and Jeffrey Bub make the effort to understand it immensely enjoyable without compromising on correctness and rigor.”—Anil Ananthaswamy, author of Through Two Doors at Once“Tanya Bub and Jeffrey Bub have done it again! Reimagining Time is a delightful read, resulting in a conceptual understanding of one of the most important paradigm shifts in physics. Totally brilliant!”—Tiffany Nichols, Harvard University“Reimagining Time is a fascinating introduction to the core concepts of special relativity. The unique illustrated format and elegant writing will appeal to readers who have not encountered these ideas before.”—Chad Orzel, author of How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog“Most introductions to Einstein's theory of special relativity teach one to accept its puzzling aspects. With clever narration and illustration, Reimagining Time helps you understand relativity.”—Craig Callender, author of What Makes Times Special?

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Book Synopsis* explores the changing ways in which time has been understood and how this knowledge is embedded in cultural practices. * examines notions of time that extend from ancient mythology and classical philosophy to the contemporary social world of high--speed computer networks and globalized social relations.Trade Review“Read a few paragraphs and your mind is racing onto other themes, examples and questions. The book can be used in a variety of different ways and the reader is fortunate that Barbara Adam has not lost her gift for bringing a sense of urgency and excitement to the topic.” Sociology “An obvious candidate to be the book which anyone should read if they want an overview of the field, but it will also offers fresh insights to those who have already made their own temporal investigations ... it is a delight to me to see the full flowering of such a persistent and imaginative scholar.” British Journal of Sociology “The path it traces through the history of human thought about time is illuminating.” Kronoscope “This is a very wide-ranging and erudite examination of countless notions of time throughout history. Barbara Adam sets out a whole new agenda for ‘time’ analysis.” John Urry, University of Lancaster “In a book grounded in top-notch scholarship, Barbara Adam traces how time has been viewed and lived through history and civilization.” Ronald Purser, San Francisco State UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Prologue. PART I What is Time?. Interlude: Time Is. 1 Time Stories. Gods of Time. In the Beginning. Paradise and the Fall. Encounters with Death. Journeys to the Otherworld. Cycles of Renewal and Regeneration. Beyond Death: Resurrection and Redemption. Reflections: Myth for Today’s Theory and Practice. Interlude: Representations of Time. 2 Time Theories I. Western Philosophy: From Ontology to Epistemology. Natural Science: Clockwork Universe and Change. Enlightenment Theories: A Priori and Dialectic. Social Theory: Practice, Value and Category. Interlude: Time Perspectives. 3 Time Theories II. Western Philosophy: Time Within. The Sciences of System-Specific Times. Social Theory and the Past, Present and Future. PART II What is the Role of Time in Social Life?. Interlude: Time Transcendence. 4 Cultural Practices of Time Transcendence. Making Time Stand Still. Knowing Fate, Forging Futures. Creating Immortality and Permanence. Modifying Nature’s Times and Rhythms. Superimposing Phases and Social Structure. Interlude: Body Time, Clock Time, Social Time. 5 In Pursuit of Time Know-how. Reckoning Time. Creating Clock Time. Mobilising World Time. Networking Instantaneity. Interlude: Time Complexities & Hierarchies. 6 The Quest for Time Control. Commodification. Compressions. Colonization. Control. Interlude: Futures. Epilogue. Notes. Further Reading. Bibliography. Index

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Book Synopsis'This is a thought-provoking book that would be of interest to anyone wanting to ponder the concept of time, and to develop more critical thinking skills that may be useful when reading popular science books or articles.'IEEE Electrical Insulation MagazineThe aim of this book is to explain in simple language what we know about time and about the history of time. It is shown that the briefest (as well as the lengthiest) history of time can be described in one or two pages.The second purpose of the book is to show that neither entropy, nor the Second Law of Thermodynamics has anything to do with time. The third purpose is to educate the lay reader how to read popular science books, critically. Towards this goal, detailed reviews of four books on time are presented.There are many popular science books on Time, on the beginning of Time and the end of Time. This book is unique in the following two senses:Table of ContentsPreface; List of Abbreviations; Acknowledgements; What is Time?; What is a History of Something?; The Briefest History of Space; The Briefest History of Time; Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics; The History of Histories of Time; Epilogue; Notes; Bibliography; Index;

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Book SynopsisOne of TIME’s Ten Best Nonfiction Books of the Decade Meet the new Stephen Hawking . . . The Order of Time is a dazzling book. --The Sunday Times From the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Reality Is Not What It Seems, Helgoland, and Anaximander comes a concise, elegant exploration of time.Why do we remember the past and not the future? What does it mean for time to flow? Do we exist in time or does time exist in us? In lyric, accessible prose, Carlo Rovelli invites us to consider questions about the nature of time that continue to puzzle physicists and philosophers alike. For most readers this is unfamiliar terrain. We all experience time, but the more scientists learn about it, the more mysterious it remains. We think of it as uniform and universal, moving steadily from past to future, measured by clocks. Rovelli tears down these assumptions one by one, revealing a strange universe where at the most fundamental level time disappears. He explains how the theory of quantum gravity attempts to understand and give meaning to the resulting extreme landscape of this timeless world. Weaving together ideas from philosophy, science and literature, he suggests that our perception of the flow of time depends on our perspective, better understood starting from the structure of our brain and emotions than from the physical universe. Already a bestseller in Italy, and written with the poetic vitality that made Seven Brief Lessons on Physics so appealing, The Order of Time offers a profoundly intelligent, culturally rich, novel appreciation of the mysteries of time.

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Book SynopsisJo Marchant is Opinion Editor at New Scientist magazine. She has a PhD in medical microbiology and has been a science journalist for nine years. She spent three years of that as an editor at the journal Nature, and her articles have also appeared in the Guardian and The Economist. She lives with her boyfriend in Brixton, London.Trade ReviewThough it is more than 2,000 years old, the Antikythera Mechanism represents a level that our technology did not match until the 18th century, and must therefore rank as one of the greatest basic mechanical inventions of all time. I hope [this] book will rekindle interest in this artefact, which still remains under-rated -- Arthur C. ClarkeSunken treasure. A mysterious artefact. Scrambled inscriptions. Warring academic egos. Technology 1,000 years before its time. [This] tale of a wondrous relic ... sounds like pulp fiction. But it's all true ... Puts ancient Greece in a whole new light * The Independent *A fabulous piece of storytelling, thick with plot, intrigue, science, historical colour and metaphysical speculation. The mechanism is fascinating - but the larger question of why its knowledge was lost, and what else with it, is mind-blowing * Metro *An informative and thoroughly researched book -- Andrew Crumey * Scotland on Sunday *A dizzyingly brilliant thing ... the Antikythera mechanism bears a chilling message for our technological age * Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis''An utterly dazzling book, the best piece of history I have read for a long time'' Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps''Not merely an horologist''s delight, but an ingenious meditation on the nature and symbolism of time-keeping itself'' Richard HolmesThe measurement of time has always been essential to human civilization, from early Roman sundials to the advent of GPS. But while we have one eye on the time every day, are we aware of the power clocks have given governments, military leaders and business owners, and how they have shaped our lives and our world?In this spectacularly far-reaching book, David Rooney narrates a history of timekeeping and civilization in twelve concise chapters. Over their course, we meet the most epochal inventions in horological history, from medieval water clocks to Renaissance hourglasses, and from stock-exchange timestamps to satellites in Earth''s orbit. We discover how clocks have helped people navigate the globe and build empires, but also, on occasion, taken us to the brink of destruction.This is the story of time, and the story of time is the story of us.Trade Review'About Time is an utterly dazzling book, the best piece of history I have read for a long time. From sundials in ancient Rome to astronomical, water-driven, mechanical and atomic timepieces used throughout history and across cultures, Rooney has written the definitive book on these remarkable objects that give order to everyday life. It is a moving and beautifully written book that even takes us 5,000 years into the future with plutonium clocks ticking away beneath our feet. There will be many puns about this as a timely book; in fact, it is timeless' -- Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps'Not merely an horologist's delight, but an ingenious meditation on the nature and symbolism of time-keeping itself. From the medieval hourglass to the Doomsday Clock, from Jaipur to Jodrell Bank, from GMT to GPS, Rooney ticks off time in a highly entertaining series of historical tales and parables which also give pause for thought and sometimes alarming reflections. I will never hear the pips, or ask 'what's the time?' in quite the same way again. A striking success' -- Richard Holmes'Fascinating... it's to Rooney's credit that although he clearly knows a colossal amount about clocks, he wears his learning very lightly' -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *People say time is money, but David Rooney knows better. In this information-packed swoop through history and into the future, he exposes time's many identities along with the hidden agendas of clocks. Time is knowledge. Time is power. Time is faith. Time is destiny -- Dava Sobel, author of Longitude'Abundantly clever ... [Rooney's] notion is that time-noting instruments of one kind or another have been central to human endeavor, and he illustrates the power of such influence by scores of well-curated examples ... lovely and engaging, with myriad fascinations on every page' -- Simon Winchester * New York Times *'Enthralling and important, About Time takes us deep into the past and far into the future. With David Rooney as personable guide, we peer inside clocks from Kyoto to Cape Town, discovering what they meant to the diverse people who made them, used them, whose lives were ruled by them. . . . This is a gripping and revealing account of time, and humanity's changing relationship with it' -- Seb Falk, author of The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science'A fascinating volume on what clocks say both to us and about us ... full of riches ... a valuable intellectual journey at a moment ripe for contemplation' * Wall Street Journal *'David Rooney's passionate enthusiasm for everything clock-related leaps off every page. The vivid writing, engaging stories and autobiographical details combine to offer a rich and generous picture of the history of clocks, from China and Japan to Central Europe, the Middle East and outer space. In clear, pacey and evocative prose, Rooney's volume takes in ancient wonders and modern marvels, leaving us at once enlightened and moved' -- Ludmilla Jordanova, author of History in PracticeThe measurement of time is a convenience, a jailor, a tyrannical device. David Rooney's delightful and discursive work anatomises that tyranny. Page after page offers up instances of time's ubiquity and its mercurial power to get into the interstices of the everyday -- Jonathan Meades'About Time is startlingly original. Rooney is immensely knowledgeable and passionate about his subject. His engaging style should make this book, which carries valuable warnings about the future of humanity, a popular-science classic' -- Patricia Fara * Literary Review *'A fascinating and sometimes frightening story. Rooney weaves a convincing tale of the evil uses to which clocks have been put' * Daily Express *'Captivating ... a diverting way to spend a few hours of precious time' * The Economist *'About Time provides a fascinating look at timekeeping devices throughout history and the societal roles they've filled. A quick but thoughtful read ensuring you will never look at your alarm clock or smartphone the same way again' * Booklist *'Fascinating ... exposes the tyranny of clocks ... with [Rooney's] book in hand, and an eye on the world that sustains us, we might just save ourselves' * Forbes *'I've spent a lot of my life trying to reconnect with my experience of time before I learned to read a clock's three hands. Clock-time has always oppressed me, and Rooney's explorations of its use as a tool of power affirmed my unease about it in a spectacular fashion. His book is a great read, full of fascinating stories, histories and agendas' -- Jem Finer'The author knows his subject intimately ... a fascinating story about how clocks have not only kept the time for us but also defined the times we've lived in' * Washington Examiner *'Takes readers on a fascinating journey into the past and the future of time-keeping methods and technology ... [Rooney] reminds readers that clocks are not just critical to the progress of civilization but also in the waging of warfare' * Telegraph India *

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Book SynopsisTime is the one thing that is shared by all of humanity, irrespective of wealth, health, race or credo; and one of the things that makes us individual is how we choose to spend it. It is one of the commodities over which we have most control, yet it is the asset we value the least. Isn''t it time we took control over how we spend it, while we still can? Time will reward readers of lifestyle quests who seek a better, richer, slower, more fulfilling way of life. For anyone who has ever pondered the paradoxes of time and who is interested in looking at their world from a fresh perspective. Whether you want the encouragement to take time out on a life-scale or simply adjust your life to accommodate a timetable that suits you, this book will have plenty of inspiration, suggestions and tips to help you get the most out of your time.

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Book SynopsisThe reader will be familiarized with some inconspicuous additions to the theory of relativity and quantum theory, which concern the energy density in cosmic and sub-nuclear domains. These are seemingly technical details, but they make the extreme vividness of light and its speed understandable. We will also ask anew some questions that concern that apparently objective world, whose objectivity is not just a matter of self-evidence, but is constantly being reconstituted in intelligent awareness. Thus the vibrancy of the presence of the world emerges as a most suitable basis for physical knowledge. Finally, we will discuss the sociological conditions, which, especially in the light of the increasing global epidemics, point to an impending disintegration, even to a collapse of civil society. While new strands of human, artificial and hybrid life forms are emerging, new aviation and nuclear time travel appear in a new light. Time as we knew it is gone forever. We experience both a time-out of time and time out of time. Only the happiest of us will keep our original shape and make our way across the galaxy.

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Book SynopsisGod and Time is a collection of previously unpublished essays written by leading philosophers about God''s relation to time. The essays have been selected to represent current debates written between those who believe God to be atemporal and those who do not. The essays highlight issues such as how the nature of time is relevant to whether God is temporal and how God''s other attributes are compatible with his mode of temporal being. By focusing on the metaphysical aspects of time and temporal existence, God and Time will make a unique contribution to the current resurgence of interest in philosophical theology within the analytic tradition.Trade ReviewExibits a rich spectrum of argument concerning the many-faceted issue of God's relation to time...I found no essay in this anthology that lacked intellectual rigor. Accordingly, the volume should serve as an excellent ancillary text for courses in philosophy of religion that focus on divine attributes...I recommend this collection, and must confess that I cannot begin to do justice to its rich argumentation in such a brief review. * The Journal of Religion *

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Book SynopsisAn up-to-date and accessible selection of some of the most important writings on the philosophy of time, including work by David Lewis, Michael Dummett, and Anthony Quinton.Trade ReviewNow the definitive collection. * E.J. Lowe, Durham University *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION ; PART 1: TIME AND TENSE ; PART 2: RELATIONISM ABOUT TIME ; PART 3: THE DIRECTION OF TIME ; PART 4: THE TOPOLOGY OF TIME

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Book SynopsisThe history of the clock opens a window on how different cultures have viewed time and on Europe's path to industrialization.Trade Review"Cipolla has a sharp eye for the heaven in a grain of sand. He takes a prosaic piece of hardware and uses it as a path into some of the central themes of history.... Imaginative and wide-ranging." -- The Economist"Brilliant.... Demonstrates the economic and technological development by which the continent thrust into the forefront of civilization." -- The Listener

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Gratitude and Musicophilia, a collection of essays that displays Oliver Sacks's passionate engagement with the most compelling ideas of human endeavor: evolution, creativity, memory, time, consciousness, and experience.Oliver Sacks, scientist and storyteller, is beloved by readers for the extraordinary neurological case histories (Awakenings, An Anthropologist on Mars) in which he explored many now-familiar disorders--autism, Tourette syndrome, face blindness. He was also a memoirist who wrote with honesty and humor about the remarkable experiences that shaped him (Uncle Tungsten, On the Move, Gratitude). In the pieces that comprise The River of Consciousness (many first published in The New York Review of Books, among other places), Dr. Sacks takes on evolution, botany, chemistry, medicine, neuroscience, and the arts, and calls upon his great scientific and creative heroes--abo

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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