{"title":"Theresa Levitt","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our curated collection of books by Theresa Levitt, a distinguished author known for her captivating writing in the realms of history, biography, and memoir. Her works are celebrated for their insightful storytelling and detailed exploration of prominent historical figures and scientific advancements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong her acclaimed titles is \u003cem\u003eA Short Bright Flash\u003c\/em\u003e, a fascinating narrative that delves into the revolutionary invention of the Fresnel lens and its profound impact on naval history and lighthouse design. Theresa Levitt brings this pivotal scientific breakthrough to life with vivid storytelling and thorough research, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eElixir\u003c\/em\u003e, Levitt presents a compelling biography that unveils the captivating story behind the creation and cultural impact of the famous French liqueur, Chartreuse. With meticulous detail and engaging prose, this work offers a unique blend of history and biography, exploring how a simple concoction became a significant cultural symbol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTheresa Levitt's books are ideal for readers who appreciate meticulously researched historical accounts intertwined with engaging narratives. Her ability to bring historical events and figures to life ensures an enriching reading experience, perfect for those passionate about history and human stories.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"elixir-by-theresa-levitt-9781399803250","title":"Elixir","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eFINANCIAL TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eSTRONG WORDS\u003c\/i\u003e TOP 50 BOOKS OF THE YEAR\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Dizzying and fragrant . . . truly a captivating achievement!' Aimee Nezhukumatathil\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'If you read this book you will be changed . . . this book feels like an actual elixir' Kiese Laymon\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'A fascinating tale of discovery, wonder, and revolution' Matthew Stanley\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo friends in a Parisian perfume shop make a discovery that will transform our understanding of the world and the origins of life on Earth forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet amidst the unforgettable sights and smells of 18th and 19th Century Paris, \u003ci\u003eElixir\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of Edouard Laugier and Auguste Laurent, the son of a perfumer and a fellow aspiring chemist, who met on the Left Bank while pursuing their passion for science.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpurned by the scientific establishment, the pair ended up working out of Edouard's family perfume shop, \u003ci\u003eLaugier pere et fils.\u003c\/i\u003e By day they prepared the revitalizing elixirs and rejuvenating eaux it was famous for, but by night, using the ingredients of the perfumery and the principles of alchemy, they pursued the secret of life itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eElixir\u003c\/i\u003e reads like a novel, brimming with eccentric characters, experimental daring, and the romance of the Bohemian salon. It is the story of a long-standing scientific puzzle and the struggle to gain acceptance for a new way of thinking about the building blocks of living matter long after those who discovered it were both dead. Yet this is also a story of hope and determination. For while the scientific establishment ridiculed their work at the time, teenage lab assistant Louis Pasteur took it seriously and, over the course of an exceptional career, was able to show that their work pointed to a deep, inexplicable asymmetry in the molecular arrangement of living things - an unexplained asymmetry which remains one of science's great mysteries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46825888153836,"sku":"9781399803250","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8e5b816835fc67e7225752cb3da9d68e.jpg?v=1758145334"},{"product_id":"elixir-by-theresa-levitt-9781399803267","title":"Elixir","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet amidst the unforgettable sights and smells of 18th and 19th Century Paris, \u003ci\u003eElixir\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of Edouard Laugier and Auguste Laurent, the son of a perfumer and a fellow aspiring chemist, who met on the Left Bank while pursuing their passion for science. Spurned by the scientific establishment of the time, the pair ended up working out of Edouard's family perfume shop, \u003ci\u003eLaugier père et fils\u003c\/i\u003e. By day they prepared the revitalising elixirs and rejuvenating eaux it was famous for, but by night, using the ingredients and techniques of the perfumery and the principles of alchemy, they pursued the secret of life itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeautifully written, \u003ci\u003eElixir\u003c\/i\u003e reads like a novel, brimming with eccentric characters, experimental daring, and the romance of the Bohemian salon. It is also the story of a long-standing scientific puzzle and the struggle to gain acceptance and recognition for a new way of thinking about the building blocks of living matter, which went on long after those who discovered it were both dead. Yet it is also a story of hope and determination. For while the scientific establishment ignored and even ridiculed their work at the time, teen-aged lab assistant Louis Pasteur took it seriously and over the course of an exceptionally successful career, was able to show that not only were they correct, but that their work pointed to a deep, inexplicable asymmetry in the molecular arrangement of living things. This unexplained asymmetry remains one of science's great mysteries and an important avenue for examining the origins of life on Earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46825892020460,"sku":"9781399803267","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10400733482686.jpg?v=1758114375"},{"product_id":"a-short-bright-flash-by-theresa-levitt-9780393350890","title":"A Short Bright Flash","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAugustin Fresnel (1788–1827) shocked the scientific elite with his unique understanding of the physics of light. The lens he invented was a brilliant feat of engineering that made lighthouses blaze many times brighter, farther, and more efficiently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBattling the establishment, his own poor health, and the limited technology of the time, Fresnel was able to achieve his goal of illuminating the entire French coast. At first, the British sought to outdo the new Fresnel-equipped lighthouses as a matter of national pride. Americans, too, resisted abandoning their primitive lamps, but the superiority of the Fresnel lens could not be denied for long. Soon, from Dunkirk to Saigon, shores were brightened with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fresnel legacy played an important role in geopolitical events, including the American Civil War. No sooner were Fresnel lenses finally installed along U.S. shores than they were drafted: the Union blockaded the Confederate coast; the Confederacy set about thwarting it by dismantling and hiding or destroying the powerful new lights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLevitt's scientific and historical account, rich in anecdote and personality, brings to life the fascinating untold story of Augustin Fresnel and his powerful invention in \u003cem\u003eA Short Bright Flash\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072432914668,"sku":"9780393350890","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/589783482328.jpg?v=1765108523"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/theresa-levitt.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}