Summary of Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time is a fascinating nonfiction look at the life of eighteenth-century surprisingly self-taught clockmaker John Harrison and his pursuit to solve one of the greatest navigational challenges of his time: determining a ship's longitude. British ships were often lost at sea as a result of miscalculations in finding longitude, leaving sailors vulnerable to storms, shoals, and pirates. The book follows his epic journey to prove his revolutionary clock-based solution against the competing astronomical methods prescribed by the British government. In addition to Harrison's ingenious invention and immense personal struggle, the book dives deep into the history of navigation, instrument-making, and sea travel, providing a vivid portrait of the Golden Age of Exploration. Above all, it is a tribute to the power of genius to triumph over great odds.