Decoding the Heavens: Solving the Mystery of the World's First Computer: Amazon.co.uk: Jo Marchant: Books

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In 1900 a group of sponge divers blown off course in the Mediterranean discovered an Ancient Greek shipwreck dating from around 70 BC. Lying unnoticed for months amongst their hard-won haul was what appeared to be a formless lump of corroded rock, which turned out to be the most stunning scientific artefact we have from antiquity. For more than a century this 'Antikythera mechanism' puzzled academics, but now, more than 2000 years after the device was lost at sea, scientists have pieced together its intricate workings. Unmatched in complexity for 1000 years, it was able to predict eclipses and track the paths of the Sun and the Moon through the zodiac, and probably even showed ancient astronomers the movements of the five known planets. In Decoding the Heavens, Jo Marchant tells for the first time the story of the 100-year quest to understand this ancient computer. Along the way she unearths a diverse cast of remarkable characters - ranging from Archimedes to Jacques Cousteau - and explores the deep roots of modern technology not only in ancient Greece but in the Islamic world and medieval Europe too.At heart an epic adventure story, it is a book that challenges our assumptions about technology transfer over the ages while giving us fresh insights into history itself.

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In Decoding the Heavens, Jo Marchant tells for the first time the story of the 100-year quest to understand this ancient computer. Along the way she unearths a diverse cast of remarkable characters – ranging from Archimedes to Jacques Cousteau – and explores the deep roots of modern technology not only in ancient Greece but in the Islamic world and medieval Europe too. At heart an epic adventure story, it is a book that challenges our assumptions about technology transfer over the ages while giving us fresh insights into history itself.

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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

An epic (history changing) story, well told 13 Nov 2008

By M. littler

Format:Hardcover

when I recieved this book I was disappointed by the lack of detailed photographs or illustrations of the Antikythera device. This is not so much a book about the device, but the story of its discovery and recognition.

The story is told as a series of biographies of the people who have helped to bring the device to light. I found the story increasingly compelling as each of the characters was brought to life. The story provides the rich context necessary for appreciating their contributions.

Discovery of the Antikythera device pushes "modern" technology right back into ancient history, as the sleve note says - "At heart an epic adventure story... ". (well told and true I would like to add).

I would recommend anyone to read this book, before looking for the photos, Xrays and illustrations to explain the Antikythera device. I think I may have learned a great deal about the device from this book, without noticing I was doing it. The story is so captivating the technicalities seem to be absorbed without effort.

It probably does help to have some understanding of astronomy and calendars to appreciate some of the technical stuff, but for me, the story could make a great film ! The book makes a great read.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

Unravelling the mystery of the world's earliest computer. 11 Mar 2009

By alphagemini

I purchased this book after reading a five star review in a well known astronomy magazine. The book lives up to expectation, being a very good read without too many technicalities. It provides an excellent explanation of what the Antikythera mechanism was, suggests who might have been responsible for creating it, and gives an insight into the characters who unravelled its mysteries. One very minor niggle is that one or two exploded diagrams would have helped to explain the workings better. Overall, though, it is warmly recommended.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2000 Year Old Mystery. 7 Mar 2009

By Yorkshire Lad

In the autumn of the year 1900 a group of sponge divers and their ship took shelter from a storm at the small island of Antikythera, which is situated in the middle of the sea passage between Cape Malea and Crete. Once the storm had subsided and doing what sponge divers do best, they dived into the clear waters near the ship to a depth of some 60 metres, what they found remained a mystery to the world for almost 200 years. Jo Marchant in her brilliant book traces the history and the people involved in unlocking the mystery up to the present day. This is an excellent read, something akin to a mechanical detective story.