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The Perfect Machine - by  Ronald Florence (Paperback) - 1 of 1

The Perfect Machine - by Ronald Florence (Paperback)

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About this item

Highlights

  • The sweeping saga of the construction of the 200-inch telescope at Mount Palomar--presented with photos and illustrations and told with such drama and evocative detail that Arthur C. Clarke proclaimed: "Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee.
  • Author(s): Ronald Florence
  • 480 Pages
  • Science, Space Science

Description



About the Book



A stirring chronicle of the potential of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the Depression, The Perfect Machine weaves a tale of human effort and technical splendor that culminates in the completion of the Palomar Telescope. 16 page photo insert. Line drawings.



Book Synopsis



The sweeping saga of the construction of the 200-inch telescope at Mount Palomar--presented with photos and illustrations and told with such drama and evocative detail that Arthur C. Clarke proclaimed: "Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee.""A superb history by a super writer and historian."--Allan SandageA

"Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee."--Arthur C. ClarkeA



From the Back Cover



Almost a half-century after is completion, the 200-inch Palomar telescope remains an unparalleled combination of vast scale and microscope detail. As huge as the Pantheon of Rome and as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, this magnificent instrument is so precisely built that its seventeen-foot mirror was hand-polished to a tolerance of 2/1,000,000 of an inch. The telescope's construction drove some to the brink of madness, made others fearful that mortals might glimpse heaven, and transfixed an entire nation. Ronald Florence weaves into his account of the creation of "the perfect machine" a stirring chronicle of the birth of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the depression yet reaching for the stars.



Review Quotes




"A superb history by a super writer and historian."-- Allan Sandage "Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee."-- Arthur C. Clarke
Dimensions (Overall): 8.4 Inches (H) x 5.56 Inches (W) x 1.18 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.19 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 480
Genre: Science
Sub-Genre: Space Science
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Theme: Astronomy
Format: Paperback
Author: Ronald Florence
Language: English
Street Date: August 4, 1995
TCIN: 90951027
UPC: 9780060926700
Item Number (DPCI): 247-03-1945
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1.18 inches length x 5.56 inches width x 8.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.19 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii

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Q: What genre does this book belong to?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
  • A: The book falls under the genre of Science, specifically focusing on Astronomy.

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Q: What is the main focus of the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
  • A: The book chronicles the construction of the 200-inch telescope at Mount Palomar, highlighting human effort and technical achievement.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
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Q: Who is the author of this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
  • A: The author of the book is Ronald Florence, a noted writer and historian.

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Q: What historical context does the book explore?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
  • A: It explores the era of the Great Depression and the emergence of Big Science in America.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
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Q: What type of illustrations are included in the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
  • A: The book includes a 16-page photo insert and line drawings to enhance the narrative.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 1 day ago
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