Book : The Map That Changed The World William Smith And The.

-Titulo Original : The Map That Changed The World William Smith And The Birth Of Modern Geology

-Fabricante :

Harper Perennial

-Descripcion Original:

From the author of the bestselling The Professor and the Madman comes the fascinating story of William Smith, the orphaned son of an English country blacksmith, who became obsessed with creating the worlds first geological map and ultimately became the father of modern geology.In 1793 William Smith, a canal digger, made a startling discovery that was to turn the fledgling science of the history of the earth -- and a central plank of established Christian religion -- on its head. He noticed that the rocks he was excavating were arranged in layers; more important, he could see quite clearly that the fossils found in one layer were very different from those found in another. And out of that realization came an epiphany: that by following the fossils, one could trace layers of rocks as they dipped and rose and fell -- clear across England and, indeed, clear across the world. Determined to publish his discovery by creating a map that would display the hidden underside of England, he spent twenty years traveling the length and breadth of the kingdom by stagecoach and on foot, studying rock outcrops and fossils, piecing together the image of this unseen universe.In 1815 he published his epochal beautiful hand-painted map, more than eight feet tall and six feet wide. But four years after its triumphant publication, and with his young wife going steadily mad to the point of nymphomania, Smith ended up in debtors prison, a victim of plagiarism, swindled out of his recognition and his profits. He left London for the north of England and remained homeless for ten long years as he searched for work. It wasnt until 1831, when his employer, a sympathetic nobleman, brought him into contact with the Geological Society of London -- which had earlier denied him a fellowship -- that at last this quiet genius was showered with the honors long overdue him. He was summoned south to receive the societys highest award, and King William IV offered him a lifetime pension.The Map That Changed the World is, at its foundation, a tale of endurance and achievement, of one mans dedication in the face of ruin and homelessness. The worlds coal and oil industry, its gold mining, its highway systems, and its railroad routes were all derived entirely from the creation of Smiths first map.; and with a keen eye and thoughtful detail, Simon Winchester unfolds the poignant sacrifice behind this world-changing discovery. Review With descriptive contemporary visitations to places significant to the story and well-chosen historical detail, he makes immediate not only the magnitude and elegance of Smiths accomplishment, but also the thrill of each of the moments of genius necessary to reach his ultimate conclusion. Smiths life provides a terrific plot to frame his contribution to science. Winchesters wonderful account does credit to it. - Publishers Weekly (*Starred Review*)Winchester has once again captured the essence of persistence against odds resulting in achievement. His fascinating account will not disappoint. - Library Journal (starred review)“Winchester brings Smith’s struggle to life in clear and beautiful language, the richness of which he continues to celebrate.” - New York Times Book ReviewWinchester has once again captured the essence of persistence against odds resulting in achievement. - Library Journal (starred review)Smiths life provides a terrific plot to frame his contribution to science. Winchesters wonderful account does credit to it. - Publishers Weekly (*Starred Review*)“Winchester masterfully weaves a compelling history.” - Newsday“Smith’s unsung life provides the perfect backdrop for yet another entertaining intellectual history.” - Denver PostA compelling human story - Boston Sunday HeraldWell-researched narrative - BusinessWeek“a marvellous book ” - The Independent (London) From the Back Cover In 1793, a canal digger named William Smith made a startling discovery. He found tha