I recently started reading Adrian Greaves' book "Lawrence of Arabia". The second sentence nearly put me off reading the rest of the book... which would have been a shame. It is excellent. (More on that in a moment!) But first... here are the opening words of the preface. Can you spot what I objected to …
Category: Books
Nice, don’t you think? Mutual back-scratching
I wonder what the story is behind the following? But first, a little background for you. Books, for a long time now, usually start with a "Title Page". Duh. Usually on the right hand page, as you view it. This much you knew. Until fairly recently, it was usual to have something "pretty" on the …
Continue reading Nice, don’t you think? Mutual back-scratching
Hate mathematics? It could be worse!
Be thankful. Be very thankful. (Disclaimer: Sorry... I confess. I like mathematics. But I do sympathize with those who don't. Hence this post!) Here's how some trigonometry things were explained in 1753... From Potter's System of Practical Mathematics Rule 1 is simple (really) and useful (really)! (Though I can't tell you why the text says …
Boreman’s Three Hundred Animals
About 1730, a London bookseller, first published his "Three Hundred Animals". Or to be faithful to his creation, the book that by 1753 was "titled"... A Description of Three Hundred Animals, Viz. Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Serpents, And Insects With A particular Account of the Manner of their Catching of Whales in Greenland ! This wasn't …
Odds and ends 