Search results for ""Author James R. Smith""

Geodesy is the science that deals with the Earth's figure and the interrelationship of selected points on its surface. This is the only book on the market designed to provide readers with an introduction to geodesy without the usual emphasis on complex mathematics. Describes such positioning techniques as horizontal and vertical geodetic datums. Satellite geodesy, electromagnetic distance measurement, laser ranging and emerging technologies including the global positioning techniques and GIS are among the topics discussed. Features scores of two-color diagrams and examples to facilitate understanding.

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Mount Everest is known to everyone - but what of the person after whom it was named? This book traces the life and profession of that person, George Everest. In particular, it covers his life dedicated to surveying in India during the first half of the 19th century. George Everest went to India at the tender age of 16 but within a few years was leading survey parties into the remotest areas of the subcontinent. His particluar passion was geodesy - the determination of the size and shape of the earth - and he soon ecame Superintendent of the Great Trigonometrical Survey. In addition, he spent many years as Surveyor General of India. This book draws heavily on original correspondence archived in India, offering a good flavour of his character both as a person and as a manager. Everest was a surveyor, linguist, engineer, astronomer and religious philosopher, but in the pursuit of his goals he did not suffer fools gladly. It was recorded that he was so indefatigable that his contemporaries were accustomed to speak of him as "Neverrest". The book provides insight inot the life of a remarkable man and shows why the earth's highest peak now bears his name.

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