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143 reviews for:
EXACTLY: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World
Simon Winchester, Simon Winchester
4.04 AVERAGE
143 reviews for:
EXACTLY: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World
Simon Winchester, Simon Winchester
4.04 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
A bit dryer than expected, but still interesting. The history of mass production (made possible by precision), the hand-crafted/interchangable parts contrast between Rolls-Royce and Ford (both founded within a year of each other) , and the history of GPS make this a very worthwhile read. Didn't know what a self-promoting scumbag Eli Whitney was, until I read about his hack-ish venture into the production of guns for the US government in the 18th century.
I have tried very hard to like it. It started off great, and the last chapter about the metric system was amazing, but the rest... meh
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This book is amazing, it covers a really incredible range of topics - yet they all feel relevant.
The emphasis on the importance of machine tools and mass production is something that I feel is often overlooked in other books that I have read about the industrial revolution etc. that focus far more on the steam engines themselves.
The book also covers the development of transistors and the IC although to a somewhat superficial degree given it is only a single chapter - I highly recommend the book [b:Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software|44882|Code The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software|Charles Petzold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328830222l/44882._SX50_.jpg|44204] to learn more about microprocessors.
Nonetheless, the book is a wonderful history of the pursuit of precision and the essential role it has played in the creation of our modern world.
The emphasis on the importance of machine tools and mass production is something that I feel is often overlooked in other books that I have read about the industrial revolution etc. that focus far more on the steam engines themselves.
The book also covers the development of transistors and the IC although to a somewhat superficial degree given it is only a single chapter - I highly recommend the book [b:Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software|44882|Code The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software|Charles Petzold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328830222l/44882._SX50_.jpg|44204] to learn more about microprocessors.
Nonetheless, the book is a wonderful history of the pursuit of precision and the essential role it has played in the creation of our modern world.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
This is a fantastic book for anyone who has an interest in engineering. The author not only details the progress of human manufacturing as it has become ever more precise, but also provides us with fascinating human stories of the people who have worked to bring about the modern world.
Winchester's style is very engaging, turning what could be very dry content about steam pistons, jet engines and transistors into little stories of human endeavour, mixing in his own life experiences to show how this topic affects us all in some way.
Winchester's style is very engaging, turning what could be very dry content about steam pistons, jet engines and transistors into little stories of human endeavour, mixing in his own life experiences to show how this topic affects us all in some way.
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
A really fascinating tour of the history of engineering from the perspective of ever-increasing precision in measurement and manufacturing.
If that sounds like it might be dull to non-engineers, be prepared for a welcome surprise. Through personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, profiles of eccentrics, tales of success and equally of calamity, Simon Winchester really opens up this history and makes it accessible and engaging.
If that sounds like it might be dull to non-engineers, be prepared for a welcome surprise. Through personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, profiles of eccentrics, tales of success and equally of calamity, Simon Winchester really opens up this history and makes it accessible and engaging.