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The Nearly Men: A Chronicle of Scientific Failure: The Real People Behind History's Greatest Innovations
 
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The Nearly Men: A Chronicle of Scientific Failure: The Real People Behind History's Greatest Innovations (Paperback)

by Mike Green (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: The History Press Ltd; illustrated edition edition (1 Nov 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0752442325
  • ISBN-13: 978-0752442327
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.4 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 377,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Product Description
Some of the most important innovations in history have a long gestation period, with the person most famous for their development often drawing greatly from the work of other unsung heroes and sometimes stealing it outright. Sadly, the poor souls who did the hard work aren't remembered and "The Nearly Men" is an attempt to address that imbalance. From Antonio Meucci, the real inventor of the telephone, through Alan Turing, responsible for making major developments in computing; Robert Hooke, who postulated the concept of planetary motion before Newton; Nikola Tesla, who died almost penniless while Marconi used his theories to develop wireless radio communication and Joseph Swan, who came up with the design of the light bulb, only to have it snatched by Thomas Edison, these and many others have their stories told here in "The Nearly Men".

About the Author
Mike Green, editor of Electronic Products news magazine, lives in Wales.

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The Nearly Men: A Chronicle of Scientific Failure: The Real People Behind History's Greatest Innovations 4.8 out of 5 stars (5)
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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4.0 out of 5 stars Not nearly men any more, 13 May 2008
By J. Wills "James Wills" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
An interesting slant on the subject to bring the achievements of important scientists and scienctific research itself into the sphere
of popular culture. It raises the question as to whether you can be successful just by being brilliant, without attaining deserved fame and wealth. Hopefully this book will prove that you can and help to redress the balence for those who have undeservedly missed out to others.

I found it interesting that different people are credited with the same
achievement in different countries.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, 13 May 2008
By N. J. Walker (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
A good read about some of the great inventors that almost made it but didn't get the credit they deserved until Mike wrote about them!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Fascinating!, 28 Jan 2008
By D. Edwards - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The intro of the book sets the tone for me - the writer is obviously someone who has researched and written it because he is genuinely interested in the subject area and this really comes across to the reader. I found the book both informative and fascinating as it investigates the real world that some of the greatest inventors in history actually lived in. The piecing together of anecdotal evidence and accepted facts must have been a painstaking process but you are left with the feeling that the author had his own `Eureka' moments when he managed to piece together the stories. Each chapter takes you on a journey towards the breakthroughs that changed our lives and the insights into the events taking place in the inventors personal lives make this a read that will appeal to both the technologist and none-technologist alike. Highly recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing new take on some of the world's greatest inventions and discoveries
By investigating the 'behind-the-scenes' activities that resulted in some of the world's greatest inventions and discoveries, this book recognises unsung and forgotten heroes from... Read more
Published 19 months ago by S. Flatt

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read to discover the real people behind history's greatest innovations ....
The introduction to this book provides the reader with a humerous and light hearted approach to 'The Nearly Men', and leaves you curious to read more. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ms. R. B. Richards

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