{"title":"Dava Sobel","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection of works by the acclaimed author \u003cem\u003eDava Sobel\u003c\/em\u003e. Known for her engaging storytelling and meticulous research, Sobel brings the worlds of science and history to life for her readers. Her writing makes complex subjects accessible and fascinating, offering both an educational and entertaining experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e is one of Sobel's most celebrated works, illustrating the race to solve the greatest scientific problem of its time—determining a ship's position at sea. This captivating story highlights the genius of John Harrison, whose invention revolutionised navigation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn her biographical masterpiece, \u003cem\u003eThe Glass Universe\u003c\/em\u003e, Sobel explores the often overlooked contributions of women in astronomy during the era of Harvard Observatory. Their work led to revolutionary discoveries about the universe, unravelled through Sobel's vivid prose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith \u003cem\u003eThe Elements of Marie Curie\u003c\/em\u003e, Sobel delves into the remarkable life of one of the most influential scientists in history. This engaging biography presents Curie's groundbreaking research in a manner both heartfelt and inspiring, capturing the essence of her scientific and personal journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese works, spanning the categories of \u003cstrong\u003eScience \u0026amp; Nature\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/strong\u003e, showcase Dava Sobel's unique ability to weave narrative richness with scientific discovery, making them a must-read for enthusiasts of science history and biography.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"longitude","title":"Longitude","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tenth anniversary edition of \u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e by Dava Sobel brings readers a captivating and dramatic recount of one of the greatest scientific quests in history: the search for a reliable method to determine a ship’s longitude at sea. This engrossing tale centres around the epic struggle to solve the “longitude problem,” a scientific conundrum that, for centuries, left sailors adrift and imperilled on the vast oceans. Without an accurate way to calculate their longitude, navigators faced treacherous journeys, leading to countless shipwrecks and loss of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration, the story spans the early 18th century, when maritime navigation was fraught with peril. By 1714, the British Parliament recognised the gravity of the situation and offered a princely sum of £20,000 to anyone who could devise a practical solution. This substantial reward sparked intense competition and a flood of speculative ideas, some outlandish, from aspiring inventors and quacks alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmidst this fervour, renowned scientists from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton sought celestial answers by meticulously mapping the stars. However, it was John Harrison, a self-taught English clockmaker, who imagined a completely different and mechanical solution. Against all odds and the scepticism of the scientific community, Harrison dedicated his life to developing a marine chronometer—a timekeeping device that could withstand the unpredictable conditions at sea and provide accurate longitude readings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e is not just a riveting account of Harrison’s invention; it is also a rich narrative filled with heroism and deceit, brilliance and absurdity. Sobel provides a detailed exploration of the history of astronomy, navigation, and horology. Her vivid storytelling brings to life the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the intrigue surrounding this monumental breakthrough. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition includes a new Foreword by celebrated astronaut Neil Armstrong, who underscores the book's timeless relevance and inspiring impact. As \u003cem\u003eNew Scientist\u003c\/em\u003e aptly puts it, “Sobel has done the impossible and made horology sexy—no mean feat.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, \u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e is an inspiring chronicle of human ingenuity and tenacity, showcasing how one man's vision and determination revolutionised navigation, saved lives, and altered the course of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686167666924,"sku":"9780007214228","price":22.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780007214228.jpg?v=1725463218"},{"product_id":"the-elements-of-marie-curie","title":"The Elements of Marie Curie","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDava Sobel, acclaimed and bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e, chronicles the life and work of the most famous woman in the history of science – and the untold story of the young women who trained in her laboratory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘A luminous and illuminating contribution to the cause’\u003c\/em\u003e Literary Review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor decades, Marie Curie was the only woman in the room at international scientific gatherings, and despite constant illness, she travelled far and wide to share the secrets of radioactivity, a term she coined. She is still the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer ingenuity extended far beyond the laboratory walls; grieving the death of her husband, Pierre, she took his place as professor of physics at the Sorbonne, devotedly raised two daughters, drove a van she outfitted with x-ray equipment to the front lines of World War I, befriended Albert Einstein, and inspired generations of young women to pursue science as a way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApproaching Marie Curie from a unique angle, Sobel navigates her remarkable discoveries and fame alongside the women who became her legacy – from Norway’s Ellen Gleditsch and France’s Marguerite Perry, who discovered the element francium, to her own daughter, Irene, a Nobel Prize winner in her own right. \u003cem\u003eThe Elements of Marie Curie\u003c\/em\u003e deftly illuminates the trailblazing life and enduring influence of one of the most consequential figures of our time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘A book for our times celebrating both science and women’\u003c\/em\u003e Sir Paul Nurse, geneticist and Nobel Prize winner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘Hard to put down! A wonderfully written biography’\u003c\/em\u003e Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, astrophysicist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘A lucid, literate biography, celebrating a scientific exemplar who, for all her fame, deserves to be better known’\u003c\/em\u003e Kirkus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45839096152300,"sku":"9780008536923","price":34.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008536923_37c92646-10d3-4089-9f4b-aacf757b4243.jpg?v=1731539965"},{"product_id":"the-glass-universe-by-dava-sobel-9780007548200","title":"The Glass Universe","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAN OBSERVER BOOK OF THE YEAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘A peerless intellectual biography. \u003cem\u003eThe Glass Universe\u003c\/em\u003e shines and twinkles as brightly as the stars themselves’ - The Economist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e#1 New York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author Dava Sobel returns with a captivating, little-known true story of women in science.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore they even had the right to vote, a group of remarkable women were employed by Harvard College Observatory as ‘Human Computers’ to interpret the observations made via telescope by their male counterparts each night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe author of \u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGalileo’s Daughter\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eThe Planets\u003c\/em\u003e shines light on the hidden history of these extraordinary women who changed the burgeoning field of astronomy and our understanding of the stars and our place in the universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46533079761132,"sku":"9780007548200","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18401903482190.jpg?v=1749366002"},{"product_id":"the-elements-of-marie-curie-by-dava-sobel-9780008536916","title":"The Elements of Marie Curie","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDava Sobel, acclaimed and bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eLongitude\u003c\/em\u003e, chronicles the life and work of the most famous woman in the history of science\u003c\/strong\u003e – \u003cstrong\u003eand the untold story of the young women who trained in her laboratory.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘A fresh and feminist study of the pioneering Nobel laureate reveals her impact on the women she mentored and set on the path to prominence’ \u003cem\u003eObserver\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘It is a novel lens through which to view Curie’s story, and Sobel paints her tale with characteristic deftness and eloquence’ \u003cem\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor decades, Marie Curie was the only woman in the room at international scientific gatherings. Despite constant illness, she travelled far and wide to share the secrets of radioactivity, a term she coined. She remains the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer ingenuity extended far beyond the laboratory walls. Grieving the death of her husband, Pierre, she took his place as professor of physics at the Sorbonne, devotedly raised two daughters, drove a van she outfitted with x-ray equipment to the front lines of World War I, befriended Albert Einstein, and inspired generations of young women to pursue science as a way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApproaching Marie Curie from a unique angle, Sobel navigates her remarkable discoveries and fame alongside the women who became her legacy – from Norway’s Ellen Gleditsch and France’s Marguerite Perry, who discovered the element francium, to her own daughter, Irene, a Nobel Prize winner in her own right. \u003cem\u003eThe Elements of Marie Curie\u003c\/em\u003e deftly illuminates the trailblazing life and enduring influence of one of the most consequential figures of our time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘A lucid, literate biography, celebrating a scientific exemplar who, for all her fame, deserves to be better known’\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘As expected from a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Sobel writes beautifully and with clarity about the science that Curie specialised in, making clear the achievements that her lab brought about’ \u003cem\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘This is an essential read, capturing both [Curie's] genius and her legacy’ \u003cem\u003eNew Scientist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘Sobel’s book is a luminous and illuminating contribution to the cause’ \u003cem\u003eLiterary Review\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46846179148012,"sku":"9780008536916","price":47.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/203273482191.jpg?v=1758905344"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/dava-sobel.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}