In the 18th century; Europe's scientific community was torn between two opposing theories: Descartes' argument that the Earth was spherical; and Newton's contention that it was flattened at the poles. Recognizing that the answer was the key to securely navigating the earth's oceans; France and Spain organized a joint expedition to colonial Peru. Their goal was to measure a degree of latitude at the Equator; by comparing this measurement to one taken back in Europe; they would be able to determine the planet's shape and put an end to the debate. But what seemed a straightforward scientific exercise was almost immediately marred by a series of unforeseen catastrophes: treacherous terrain; deeply suspicious locals; and the voyagers' own hubris. A thrilling tale of adventure; political history; and scientific discovery; Larrie D. Ferreiro's Measure of the Earth recounts the greatest scientific exhibition of the Enlightenment through the eyes of the men who completed it—pioneers who overcame tremendous adversity to traverse the towering Andes Mountains and discern the Earth's true shape.
#28668 in Books Timothy Snyder 2012-10-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.15 x 1.35 x 6.00l; 1.45 #File Name: 0465031471560 pagesBloodlands Europe Between Hitler and Stalin
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Important substance; could have used some editing but worth the timeBy Dutiful son-in-lawThis is an important book. It is a good study. It should be read by those interested in WWII history or Russia; and eastern Europe in that period; and how that period led to some of the issue of today. That said; it is not an easy read; not only because some of it is painful but because the author; probably very good in his field; could have used an editor. Parts of it drag on or are repetitious; and yet sometimes it is not clear what certain conclusions are because different concepts or different time periods get mixed up. So yes; read it - the review in the Economist that led me to it was right. But don't assume an easy read; and be prepared for mental moments of frustration (aside from being frustrated at human folly - on substance the book is very good if painful). This book would be tough for students who read only for class requirements; not interest. A good history professor would pull out sections and make those assigned reading.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Killing Patton is another excellent resource.By ConcernedThis should be on the reading list for every history teacher; for HS students taking AP Global; for college students covering Europe-WWI; anyone interested in history; and anyone interested in understanding the far-reaching effects that WWII had. Why? Because history repeats itself. Because it is important to understand what happened. WHY? to make informed decisions and act on them. If we don't learn the history in the first place; how can we learn from it to avert the same mistakes. The material in this book is not taught at the high school level. The concepts are barely touched in today's HS Global textbooks. It's a challenging read -- jam packed with facts that were not available and/or made known before. Even those who thought they knew all about this era will find the stories unbearable and numbing. Killing Patton is another excellent resource.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Read It and WeepBy RoadhouseIt seems odd to assign "stars" to the review of this book. The grim facts of mass murder ordered by Stalin and Hitler are presented in uncompromising detail. The race-hate murder of the Jews is placed in the context of Hitler's failed deportation schemes. It was also astounding to read the mechanics by which Stalin killed millions by starvation and by which Hitler planned to do the same. These and other nuanced discussions require; as Snyder persuasively shows; that important elements of formerly accepted scholarship be reconsidered. This is the book's principal contribution: it is a fact-based challenge to significant components of the conventional historical wisdom. It is the reason to read it.
