The Long and the Short of It by Graeme Donald

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The Long and the Short of It by Graeme Donald

Regular price £3.50
Condition - Very Good
3 In stock
Regular price £3.50
Condition - Very Good
3 In stock
Summary

We’ve always measured the world around us, from how big things are, to how fast they go, how much they’re worth and practically everything in between. But who decided how we do it, and why?

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The Long and the Short of It by Graeme Donald

We've always measured the world around us, from how big things are, to how fast they go, how much they're worth, and practically everything in between. But who decided how we do it, and why? This book explores the origins and evolution of a huge variety of different units of measurement. It answers such questions as: Why do we measure time in units of 60? How do you determine the height of a mountain when sea level keeps changing? Why did the length of a mile once depend on where you came from? What's the width of a horse's backside got to do with NASA's booster rockets? Packed with fascinating stories, this is an intriguing guide to the many systems of measurement that make sense of our daily lives, from pounds and parsecs to bushels and barricades.
Graeme Donald is the author of a number of books about history, the meaning of words and popular misconceptions, including When the Earth was Flat, The Accidental Scientist, The Long and the Short of It and Learn on the Loo. His writing has also appeared in many newspapers.
SKU GOR007912990
ISBN 13 9781782436287
ISBN 10 1782436286
Title The Long and the Short of It
Author Graeme Donald
Condition Very Good
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
Year published 2016-09-29
Number of pages 192
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us