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A Thread Across the Ocean - by  John Steele Gordon (Paperback) - 1 of 1

A Thread Across the Ocean - by John Steele Gordon (Paperback)

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About this item

Highlights

  • Author(s): John Steele Gordon
  • 272 Pages
  • Technology, History

Description



About the Book



Shedding fascinating new light on an American saga, Gordon explores the laying of the transatlantic cable in 1866--one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. Maps, line drawings, and halftones.



From the Back Cover



Today, in a world in which news flashes around the globe in an instant, time lags are inconceivable. In the mid-nineteenth century, communication between the United States and Europe -- the center of world affairs -- was only as quick as the fastest ship could cross the Atlantic, making the United States isolated and vulnerable.

But in 1866, the Old and New Worlds were united by the successful laying of a cable across the Atlantic. John Steele Gordon's book chronicles this extraordinary achievement -- the brainchild of American businessman Cyrus Field and one of the greatest engineering feats of the nineteenth century. An epic struggle, it required a decade of effort, numerous failed attempts, millions of dollars in capital, a near disaster at sea, the overcoming of seemingly insurmountable technological problems, and uncommon physical, financial, and intellectual courage. Bringing to life an overlooked story in the annals of technology, John Steele Gordon sheds fascinating new light on this American saga that literally changed the world.



Review Quotes




"A Thread Across the Ocean is one of those enjoyably quirky, packed-to-the-gills little histories squeezed into only a couple of hundred pages. It's a story of business entrepreneurship, brilliantly innovative engineering, courageous seafaring, and individual passion." - MSNBC Summer Book Pick

"...the miracles of technology don't just happen at some eureka moment but require patience, persistence, ambition and luck....[an] engaging account." - Wall Street Journal

"We should not be surprised that this book is so joyously readable....a sprightly and oddly engrossing mix of technological, financial, and human history." - Chicago Sun-Times

" {Steele Gordon} proves adept at explaining technological and scientific matters in terms the lay reader can grasp, as well as the complex financial transactions necessary as Field and his colleagues sought to keep their stupendous dream alive." - Washington Post

"...celebrates the vision and perseverance of the men who -- a century before the Internet was conceived -- created the first information highway underwater." - BookPage


Dimensions (Overall): 8.0 Inches (H) x 5.3 Inches (W) x .79 Inches (D)
Weight: .48 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 272
Genre: Technology
Sub-Genre: History
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Format: Paperback
Author: John Steele Gordon
Language: English
Street Date: August 11, 2023
TCIN: 91163509
UPC: 9780060524463
Item Number (DPCI): 247-41-9734
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.79 inches length x 5.3 inches width x 8 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.48 pounds
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Q: What is the main focus of this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: The book focuses on the historical event of laying the transatlantic cable in 1866, highlighting its engineering significance.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
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Q: What challenges did they face during the cable laying?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: The project encountered numerous failed attempts, technological issues, and a near disaster at sea before achieving success.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

Q: How does the author convey complex topics?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: John Steele Gordon explains technological and financial matters in relatable terms, making them accessible to general readers.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
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Q: Who was the primary person behind the transatlantic cable project?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: Cyrus Field, an American businessman, was the key figure in the successful laying of the transatlantic cable.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
    Ai generated

Q: What genre does this book belong to?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
  • A: The book is categorized under the Technology genre with a sub-genre of History.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 month ago
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