The Measure of All Things (Abridged): The Seven-Year Odyssey and Hidden Error That Transformed the World Audiobook

" This is probably a 3.5 book. At times it's a great read, but there are some dry stretches. Alder does a great job integrating history, science, character studies, adventure stories, and more. He's at his best looking into the psychology of the two main figures, and the twist at the end when he discusses their relationship to error theory. "

" I got this book as a follow-up to the Longitude book. It chronicles an expedition to exactly determine the length of the meter as a unit of measure by the French Revolutionary government and is a good example of how our weights and measures were established by the work of surveyors that we trying to be accurate and apolitical. This is another chapter of how science can be subverted to political interests, even though that was not the intent of the protagonists. "

" A bit too in-depth with some decidedly slanted use of language. Other than that, I learned something new. "

" About the effort to measure the Earth and define the length of the meter, all amidst the French Revolution. Interesting mix of science and history. "

" Grabbed this book a long time ago because of the main plot around how the Metric system, particularly the meter, was devised. I loved the whole "triangulation" element that's why I'm giving it 3 stars, but it was "meh" in other areas. "

" Interesting book about how the size of the metric meter was determined. Who knew measurement could be interesting? "

" Not something I was entirely interested in, but the writing was quick and eager. "

" Too slow. Couldn't make it through. "

" Very interesting book about the scientific and personal challenges involved in developing the metric system. "

" What a joy - science being held above all things. I loved the anecdotes of wars being stopped so scientists could measure things, and people going missing in jungles just to get the correct triangulation. This book explains a huge amuont about why the world works as it does. "

" Alder relates the events of Delambre and Mechain as they attempt to measure the length of the French meridian during the revolution in order to fix the meter for science. It is an interesting tale of one's man quest for accuracy and his failure that turns to obsession. "

" I enjoyed this as much for the social history portrayed as well as a story of two men's struggle to get to grips with science. "

" A fascinating portrait of the people who helped determine the length of the meter and the difficulties that were faced in promulgating the metric system. "

" Who would thing that the history of defining the metre would be both compelling and entertaining. I read this over a week or so and was completely absorbed by the unfolding of this seemingly obscure bit of history. "

" Fascinating story about the creation of the meter. Who would've thought it was so difficult, a huge effort in times of war. "

" Both a history of the meter, a biography of Delambre and Mechain, and a description of France and the rest of Europe in upheaval in the 1790s. Read this book, dammit. "

" When my husband bought this book I was like "400 pages about the meter?? You have got to be kidding me" but then I picked it up and couldn't put it down. A great story of not only the origins of the metric system but also about revolutionary France and the evolution of science. "

" This would have gotten 4 or even 5 stars, but the point at which the error occurs is sort of glossed over by the author. I was well past it before I realized it. "

" outstanding history of the evolution of the meter "

" About the effort to measure the Earth and define the length of the meter, all amidst the French Revolution. Interesting mix of science and history. "

" Who would thing that the history of defining the metre would be both compelling and entertaining. I read this over a week or so and was completely absorbed by the unfolding of this seemingly obscure bit of history. "

" Not something I was entirely interested in, but the writing was quick and eager. "

" Too slow. Couldn't make it through. "

" A fascinating portrait of the people who helped determine the length of the meter and the difficulties that were faced in promulgating the metric system. "

" Fascinating book especially for someone who is metrically challenged like me ! It is interesting to find out how the metre came about set against the back drop of the French Revolution. Gives a good insight into how the Revolution effected Paris. Worth reading. "

" What a joy - science being held above all things. I loved the anecdotes of wars being stopped so scientists could measure things, and people going missing in jungles just to get the correct triangulation. This book explains a huge amuont about why the world works as it does. "

" A very interesting history of the meter, science, and the theory of precision vs. accuracy. I found the science and math to be discussed in such a way that even a non-scientist like me could understand the theory behind these new discoveries. "

" Alder relates the events of Delambre and Mechain as they attempt to measure the length of the French meridian during the revolution in order to fix the meter for science. It is an interesting tale of one's man quest for accuracy and his failure that turns to obsession. "

" Both a history of the meter, a biography of Delambre and Mechain, and a description of France and the rest of Europe in upheaval in the 1790s. Read this book, dammit. "

" This would have gotten 4 or even 5 stars, but the point at which the error occurs is sort of glossed over by the author. I was well past it before I realized it. "