{"title":"Simon Winchester","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the captivating works of \u003cem\u003eSimon Winchester\u003c\/em\u003e, a distinguished author celebrated for his remarkable ability to weave intricate narratives that blend history, science, and exploration. Offering profound insights into the world around us, Winchester's books are cherished by readers with a thirst for knowledge and curiosity about our planet's past and present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEmbark on a fascinating journey through history and natural sciences with titles such as \u003cem\u003eAtlantic\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eKrakatoa\u003c\/em\u003e, where Winchester masterfully chronicles the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and the explosive story of a volcanic eruption that reshaped the world. His work in \u003cem\u003eExactly\u003c\/em\u003e delves into the precision of measurement, illustrating the impact of accuracy on our daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor those intrigued by the evolution of human understanding, \u003cem\u003eKnowing What We Know\u003c\/em\u003e explores the development and dissemination of knowledge throughout history. Furthermore, \u003cem\u003eLand\u003c\/em\u003e offers a unique perspective on the land ownership and mapping across the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Winchester also excels in the realm of biography and memoir. In \u003cem\u003eThe Map That Changed the World\u003c\/em\u003e, he presents the inspiring story of William Smith, whose map forever altered the fields of geology and cartography. Delve into the intricacies of the English language and the OED in \u003cem\u003eThe Surgeon of Crowthorne\u003c\/em\u003e, a gripping tale of lexicography and madness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinchester's ability to illuminate complex subjects with clarity and wit makes his books a treasured addition to any collection. Explore his diverse works and uncover the interconnectedness of history, science, and human discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-map-that-changed-the-world","title":"The Map That Changed the World","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the summer of 1815, an extraordinary hand-painted map was published in London. Measuring an impressive eight feet tall and six feet wide, and brightly coloured in hues of sea-blue, green, bright yellow, orange, and umber, this groundbreaking map presented England and Wales in a novel blend of lines, patches, and stippled shapes. The map was the fruit of one man's passion for rocks, a relentless pursuit that dominated his life as everything else around him fell into disarray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor nearly two decades, William Smith, the son of an Oxfordshire blacksmith, journeyed across Britain, meticulously investigating and naming the strata of rock beneath the surface. Self-taught and tenacious, Smith possessed an exceptional grasp of practical geology at a time when this nascent science was evolving and demanded precise delineation. The beautifully executed map he created was unprecedented, transforming the world's understanding of the earth's geology. It laid the foundation for enormous fortunes in oil, iron, tin, and other precious minerals, while also propelling the advancement of modern geological science.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSmith's remarkable achievement is made even more astounding by the fact that he accomplished it single-handedly, without any financial or professional support. Yet, the toil exacted a heavy toll. Smith faced devastating difficulties: imprisoned for debt, evicted from his home, and witnessing his painstaking work being plagiarised. The scientific establishment turned its back on him amid his troubles, and his wife was diagnosed as insane. Smith himself fell gravely ill. It wasn't until 1829, in a twist of fate reminiscent of a fairy-tale, that Smith returned to London in triumph, hailed as the genius he truly was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Winchester, best-selling author and geologist, delves into the dramatic world of William Smith in \u003cem\u003eThe Map That Changed the World\u003c\/em\u003e. Through vivid prose and insightful narrative, Winchester resurrects the story of this overlooked pioneer. Smith's indefatigable passion for fossils and geology led to pioneering discoveries that had a profound and lasting impact on science and industry. Celebrating the unique geology of the British Isles, this book is a moving and inspiring tribute to a man whose work shaped the very foundation beneath our feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45658235830508,"sku":"9780140280395","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780140280395.jpg?v=1724850756"},{"product_id":"exactly","title":"Exactly","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2018, \u003cem\u003eExactly\u003c\/em\u003e by bestselling author Simon Winchester offers an engrossing historical narrative that delves into the extraordinary achievements of the pioneering engineers and scientists who revolutionised our world through the development of precision machinery. With his trademark eloquence and keen insight, Winchester traces the origins and evolution of precision, from its nascent stages in the Industrial Age to its paramount role in contemporary society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story begins in Britain, where the Industrial Revolution's seismic shifts gave rise to trailblazing figures like John ‘Iron-Mad’ Wilkinson, Henry Maudslay, Joseph Bramah, Jesse Ramsden, and Joseph Whitworth. These inventors and their meticulous work laid the groundwork for modern manufacturing processes. Moving across the Atlantic, Winchester examines how figures such as Thomas Jefferson helped transfer these innovations to the United States, spurring a new era of mass production epitomised by Henry Ford’s assembly lines and Henry Royce’s meticulous craftsmanship behind Rolls-Royce automobiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narrative doesn’t stop at the borders of the United Kingdom and the United States. It extends to global advancements, highlighting the revolutionary contributions of Japan’s Seiko in precision timekeeping and Germany’s Leica in optics, ultimately steering towards today's cutting-edge technological developments that span Europe, Asia, and North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinchester's exploration is not just about the evolution of mechanical ingenuity; it is an investigation into the very essence of precision—its fundamental importance and the instruments we use to measure it. He introduces readers to the unsung heroes who have perfected the art of precision and ponders its broader implications. Why is exactness held in such high esteem? Are we sacrificing the appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, art, and high culture in our relentless pursuit of the ultra-precise? Can elements of precision and natural artistry coexist harmoniously within society?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eExactly\u003c\/em\u003e is more than just a historical recount; it is an intellectual journey that poses thought-provoking questions about the values and priorities of our modern world. It challenges readers to reflect on how precision shapes our daily lives, from the gadgets we use to the greater scientific discoveries that broaden our understanding of the universe, such as exploring as far as the moon or as close as the Higgs boson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Winchester offers both an enlightening history and a contemplation of the state of modernity, making \u003cem\u003eExactly\u003c\/em\u003e an essential read for anyone curious about the intricate workings behind the mechanical marvels that define our everyday existence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45685967159532,"sku":"9780008241780","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008241780.jpg?v=1725459083"},{"product_id":"knowing-what-we-know","title":"Knowing What We Know","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A delightful compendium of the kind of facts you immediately want to share with anyone you encounter’ \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘An ebullient, irrepressible spirit invests this book. It is erudite and sprightly’ \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the creation of the first encyclopedia to Wikipedia, from ancient museums to modern kindergarten classes—here is award-winning writer Simon Winchester’s brilliant and all-encompassing look at how humans acquire, retain, and pass on information and data, and how technology continues to change our lives and our minds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith the advent of the internet, any topic we want to know about is instantly available with the touch of a smartphone button. With so much knowledge at our fingertips, what is there left for our brains to do? At a time when we seem to be stripping all value from the idea of knowing things—no need for maths, no need for map reading, no need for memorisation—are we risking our ability to think? As we empty our minds, will we one day be incapable of thoughtfulness?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAddressing these questions, Simon Winchester explores how humans have attained, stored, and disseminated knowledge. Examining such disciplines as education, journalism, encyclopedia creation, museum curation, photography, and broadcasting, he looks at a whole range of knowledge diffusion—from the cuneiform writings of Babylon to the machine-made genius of artificial intelligence, by way of Gutenberg, Google, and Wikipedia to the huge Victorian assemblage of the Mundaneum, the collection of everything ever known, currently stored in a damp basement in northern Belgium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStudded with strange and fascinating details, \u003cem\u003eKnowing What We Know\u003c\/em\u003e is a deep dive into learning and the human mind. Throughout this fascinating tour, Winchester forces us to ponder what rational humans are becoming. What good is all this knowledge if it leads to lack of thought? What is information without wisdom? Does René Descartes’ ‘Cogito, ergo sum’—'I think, therefore I am’, the foundation for human knowledge widely accepted since the Enlightenment—still hold?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd what will the world be like if no one in it is wise?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686124052716,"sku":"9780008484422","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008484422.jpg?v=1725462275"},{"product_id":"land","title":"Land","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the bestselling author Simon Winchester, a human history of land around the world: who mapped it, owned it, stole it, cared for it, fought for it and gave it back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1889, thousands of hopeful people raced southward from the Kansas state line and westward from the Arkansas boundary to stake claims on the thousands of acres of unclaimed pastures and meadows. Across the twentieth century, water was dammed and drained in Holland so that a new province, Flevoland, rose up, unchartered and requiring new thinking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1850, California legislated the theft of land from Native Americans. An apology came in 2019 from the governor, but what of the call for reparations or return? What of government confiscation of land in India, or questions of fairness when it comes to New Zealand’s Maori population and the legacy of settlers?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ownership of land has always been complicated, opaque, and more than a little anarchic when viewed from the outside. In \u003cem\u003eLand\u003c\/em\u003e, Simon Winchester explores the stewardship of land, the ways it is delineated and changes hands, the great disputes, and the questions of restoration - particularly in the light of climate change and colonialist reparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA global study, this is an exquisite exploration of what the ownership of land might really mean - not in dry-as-dust legal terms, but for the people who live on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686133588204,"sku":"9780008359157","price":25.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008359157.jpg?v=1725462499"},{"product_id":"the-surgeon-of-crowthorne","title":"The Surgeon of Crowthorne","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\nThe making of the Oxford English Dictionary was a monumental 50-year task requiring the assistance of thousands of volunteers. Amongst these volunteers was W. C. Minor, whose contributions astounded everyone involved. Despite his significant input, Minor consistently refused to visit Oxford to receive any form of commendation.\n\nIn a bid to meet this enigmatic contributor, James Murray, the OED's editor, travelled to Crowthorne in Berkshire. What he discovered there was beyond incredible: Minor was a millionaire American Civil War surgeon who had descended into madness. He was imprisoned in Broadmoor Asylum for murder. Astonishingly, this same man had dedicated his entire cell-bound life to meticulously working on the English language.\n\n\u003cem\u003eThe Surgeon of Crowthorne\u003c\/em\u003e by Simon Winchester documents this fascinating and strange convergence of two very different characters – James Murray, the dedicated editor of the OED, and W. C. Minor, a man whose intellectual brilliance was overshadowed by his tragic fall into insanity.\n\nThe book is a blend of history, biography, and intrigue, presenting the astonishing story of how the most extensive dictionary in the history of mankind was created. It reveals not only the dedication and meticulousness required for such an endeavour but also the extraordinary characters who contributed to its realisation. Through Winchester’s compelling narrative, readers are given a glimpse into the painstaking compilation process of the OED and the surprising, often heartbreaking stories of those who contributed to its creation.\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45692499198188,"sku":"9780140271287","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780140271287.jpg?v=1725564502"},{"product_id":"krakatoa","title":"Krakatoa","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eKrakatoa\u003c\/i\u003e by Simon Winchester offers a meticulously detailed account of one of the most violent volcanic events in modern history—the cataclysmic eruption of the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in 1883. This riveting chronicle delves into the rich tapestry of science, history, and human drama, bringing to life a story of unparalleled destruction and its far-reaching consequences. \n\n\u003cp\u003eWinchester skillfully interweaves narratives of pioneering scientific minds and their groundbreaking discoveries that preceded and followed the eruption. He takes readers on a journey through the life and work of the unrecognized genius who essentially outpaced Charles Darwin in the discovery of evolution. The book also delves into the innovations of Samuel Morse, his revolutionary Morse code, and the pivotal role rubber played in advancing global communications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narrative further explores the contributions of Alfred Wegener, the oft-criticised German meteorologist and geophysicist, who laid the foundations of plate tectonics. Winchester presents these scientific tales against the backdrop of a colonial society dramatically transformed by the eruption's immense force, which obliterated the island and decimated its population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn detailed prose, \u003ci\u003eKrakatoa\u003c\/i\u003e describes the environmental and societal upheaval that followed the explosion, capturing the magnitude of the disaster and the global climatic effects it incited. By connecting the threads of the volcanic eruption to modern volcanic science and contemporary societal developments, Winchester renders a gripping narrative that illustrates how the echoes of Krakatoa's eruption resonate even today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eKrakatoa\u003c\/i\u003e was an international bestseller in hardback, and Winchester's brilliant, accessible writing makes complex scientific concepts easily digestible for all readers. This book is not merely a historical recount but a compelling reflection on how nature’s wrath can profoundly impact human civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695463522540,"sku":"9780141005171","price":36.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141005171.jpg?v=1725630382"},{"product_id":"the-surgeon-of-crowthorne-by-simon-winchester-9780141037714","title":"The Surgeon of Crowthorne","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSimon Winchester's The Surgeon of Crowthorne\u003c\/em\u003e was an international bestseller and tells an extraordinary true story of murder, madness, and an extraordinary friendship in the nineteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the tale of James Murray, the compiler of the first Oxford English Dictionary, and his most valued helper—Dr Minor of Crowthorne—who was also a homicidal lunatic, confined to Broadmoor asylum for murder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an enthralling and beautifully written work of literary detection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46380251414764,"sku":"9780141037714","price":12.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5179123482238.jpg?v=1744849287"},{"product_id":"atlantic-by-simon-winchester-9780007341399","title":"Atlantic","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe definitive biography of the world's most important body of water – the Atlantic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne hundred and ninety million years ago, the shifting of two of the world's tectonic plates led to the creation of an immense chasm. This giant gash in the flanks of the planet slowly opened up and eventually evolved into the most important and most travelled ocean in our world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this utterly original biography, Simon Winchester explores the life of the Atlantic; its birth, its relationship with mankind, and what lies in store for it once man has left the stage. He charts the development of the first settlements by the Oceanside – the communities of Celts and Vikings whose lives depended on the sea – and delves into the age of exploration, venturing to forgotten worlds. The building of some of the world's most beautiful port cities – London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Casablanca – is also examined, along with the creation of settlements and colonies in and around the sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCompletely unique and highly readable, \u003cem\u003eAtlantic\u003c\/em\u003e takes its reader on a wonderful journey through time, along the waves of our planet's most significant ocean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46529537048812,"sku":"9780007341399","price":26.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780007341399.jpg?v=1749536185"},{"product_id":"the-breath-of-the-gods-by-simon-winchester-9780008679507","title":"The Breath of the Gods","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author Simon Winchester returns with a thought-provoking history of the wind, written in his edifying and entertaining style.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is going on with our atmosphere? The headlines are filled with news of devastating hurricanes, murderous tornadoes, and cataclysmic fires. Gale force advisories are issued on a regular basis by weather services around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAtmospheric scientists are warning that winds – the force at the centre of all these dangerous natural events – are expected to steadily increase in the years ahead, strengthening in power, speed, and frequency. While this prediction worries the insurance industry, governmental leaders, scientists, and conscientious citizens, one particular segment of society received it with unbridled enthusiasm. To the energy industry, rising wind strength and speeds are an unalloyed boon for humankind – a vital source of clean and ‘safe’ power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBetween these two poles – wind as a malevolent force, and wind as saviour of our planet – lies a world of fascination, history, literature, science, poetry, and engineering which Simon Winchester explores with the curiosity and vigour that are the hallmarks of his bestselling works. In \u003cem\u003eThe Breath of the Gods\u003c\/em\u003e, he explains how wind plays a part in our everyday lives, from aeroplane or car travel to the ‘natural disasters’ that are becoming more frequent and regular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Breath of the Gods\u003c\/em\u003e is an urgently-needed portrait across time of that unseen force – unseen but not unfelt – that respects no national borders and no vessel or structure in its path. Wind, the movement of the air, is seen by so many as a heavenly creation and generally a thing of essential goodness. But when it flexes its invisible muscles, all should take care and be very afraid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46557647634668,"sku":"9780008679507","price":29.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008679507.jpg?v=1750205603"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/simon-winchester.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}