Beyond Measure

In Beyond Measure, James Vincent embarks on a captivating exploration of humanity's quest to measure the world and everything within it. From ancient civilisations first wielding scales and rulers to our modern-day obsession with tracking everything from calories to cosmic distances, Beyond Measure delves into the evolution of our collective drive for precision and quantification. Vincent eloquently uncovers how measurement has not only shaped our understanding of the universe but also influenced our daily lives and identities.

This revelatory narrative weaves through history, science, and personal stories, shedding light on mavericks and visionaries who revolutionised the way we perceive and quantify our reality. With remarkable verve and intellectual agility, Vincent charts the milestones and unexpected turns in the history of metrology—the science of measurement—revealing surprising truths about our relationship with the world and ourselves.

Beyond Measure stands as a testament to human curiosity and our perpetual desire for dependable truths amidst chaos. It challenges readers to reconsider the omnipresence of measurement in their lives, prompting questions about its authority and influence over countless aspects of existence.

'A wildly ambitious book by a formidably talented young writer.' - ROBERT MACFARLANE

'Vivid, epic, and full of curiosities. This is a book to delight and fascinate.' - TIM HARFORD, bestselling author of How to Make the World Add Up

'Beyond Measure offers, with much intellectual flair and style, a bracing new history: how the once innocent urge to quantification took over our lives, our sense of ourselves and the world.' - PANKAJ MISHRA

'The exact value of this book is hard to quantify. Weighty, precise and satisfyingly obsessive, it's also an absolute pleasure to read.' - SIMON GARFIELD, bestselling author of The Timekeepers

Throughout the book, Vincent provides fascinating insights into various forms of measurement, including rainfall, radiation, steps, and happiness. He highlights the historical developments and cultural shifts that paved the way for these measurements to become central to our daily lives.

'An epic story about humankind's relationship with the physical world. Vincent is an erudite and perceptive guide, who with energy and skill weaves history, science and reportage into an enthralling tale.' - ALEX BELLOS

'Telling the story of metrology is not easy [but] Vincent is equal to the task . . . this book is extremely good.' - THE TIMES

'This quirky history is inch-perfect.' - FINANCIAL TIMES

'Gripping.' - NEW SCIENTIST

'Worth its weight in gold . . . Enlightening.' - OBSERVER

'Fascinating . . . an erudite and elegant read.' - MAIL ON SUNDAY