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Exactly

How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World
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( 5,965 ratings, 760 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Exactly by Simon Winchester delves into the history and development of precision engineering. It explores how precision has shaped the modern world, from the Industrial Revolution to today's cutting-edge technologies, highlighting the key inventions and inventors along the way.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a fascination with the history and impact of precision engineering. It delves into how exact measurements and meticulous engineering have shaped modern life, weaving together intriguing stories of inventors and their creations.

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Exactly

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2018

Bestselling author Simon Winchester writes a magnificent history of the pioneering engineers who developed precision machinery to allow us to see as far as the moon and as close as the Higgs boson.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2018, Exactly by bestselling author Simon Winchester offers an engrossing historical narrative that delves into the extraordinary achievements of the pioneering engineers and scientists who revolutionised our world through the development of precision machinery. With his trademark eloquence and keen insight, Winchester traces the origins and evolution of precision, from its nascent stages in the Industrial Age to its paramount role in contemporary society.

The story begins in Britain, where the Industrial Revolution's seismic shifts gave rise to trailblazing figures like John ‘Iron-Mad’ Wilkinson, Henry Maudslay, Joseph Bramah, Jesse Ramsden, and Joseph Whitworth. These inventors and their meticulous work laid the groundwork for modern manufacturing processes. Moving across the Atlantic, Winchester examines how figures such as Thomas Jefferson helped transfer these innovations to the United States, spurring a new era of mass production epitomised by Henry Ford’s assembly lines and Henry Royce’s meticulous craftsmanship behind Rolls-Royce automobiles.

The narrative doesn’t stop at the borders of the United Kingdom and the United States. It extends to global advancements, highlighting the revolutionary contributions of Japan’s Seiko in precision timekeeping and Germany’s Leica in optics, ultimately steering towards today's cutting-edge technological developments that span Europe, Asia, and North America.

Winchester's exploration is not just about the evolution of mechanical ingenuity; it is an investigation into the very essence of precision—its fundamental importance and the instruments we use to measure it. He introduces readers to the unsung heroes who have perfected the art of precision and ponders its broader implications. Why is exactness held in such high esteem? Are we sacrificing the appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, art, and high culture in our relentless pursuit of the ultra-precise? Can elements of precision and natural artistry coexist harmoniously within society?

Exactly is more than just a historical recount; it is an intellectual journey that poses thought-provoking questions about the values and priorities of our modern world. It challenges readers to reflect on how precision shapes our daily lives, from the gadgets we use to the greater scientific discoveries that broaden our understanding of the universe, such as exploring as far as the moon or as close as the Higgs boson.

Simon Winchester offers both an enlightening history and a contemplation of the state of modernity, making Exactly an essential read for anyone curious about the intricate workings behind the mechanical marvels that define our everyday existence.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Exactly by Simon Winchester is praised for being an entertaining and informative pop science work that challenges readers to think deeply about everyday objects. It is described as interesting, exciting, and emotional, making a strong case for the importance of precision in technological advancements. The book brims with delightful language and covers over 200 years of engineering feats, offering a fascinating read for those interested in the impact of precision on human progress.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008241780

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 May 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: William Collins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 31.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 370g

Pages: 416

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About the Author

Simon Winchester is the bestselling author of ATLANIC, THE MAN WHO LOVED CHINA, A CRACK IN THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, KRAKATOA, THE MAP THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, THE SURGEON OF CROWTHORNE (THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN), THE FRACTURE ZONE, OUTPOSTS and KOREA among many other titles. In 2006 he was awarded an OBE. He lives in western Massachusetts and New York City.

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