Foreword
Preface
1. Ancient Navigation
2. Navigation in the Middle Ages
3. The Age of Discovery
4. The Electronic Age
5. Navigation and the Environment
6. Emergency Signaling
Index
Donald Launer has held a U.S. Coast Guard captain's license for over 25 years. He was Field Editor for the yearly Waterway Guide and he is currently contributing editor for Good Old Boat. He has lectured on navigational history at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, as well as many boating organizations throughout the Northeast. He is the author of A Cruising Guide to New Jersey Waters, Dictionary of Nautical Acronyms and Abbreviations (Sheridan House), and Lessons from My Good Old Boat (Sheridan House).
(Navigation Through the Ages) is...perhaps the most concise and
most readable abstract on the deluge of technological advances
along with the translation of their mind-numbing acronyms of the
electronic age that may be available. Indeed, it is in its review
of navigation in the electronic age that this book achieves its
highest score both as an historical reference and its usefulness to
those navigating small craft today.
*International Journal of Maritime History*
To navigate on long voyages, ancient sailors developed tools such
as the kamal, leadline, astrolabe, quadrant, and cross-staff. The
Polynesians, who lacked a written language, passed on their
navigation skills by oral tradition. While most mariners could
determine their latitude, none could find their longitude until
John Harrison developed the marine chronometer in the 18th century.
Author Donald Launer covers the history of navigation from the
earliest navigation tools to modern devices like GPS. He explains
terminology well and makes a difficult subject seem simple. This
book should be required supplemental reading for piloting and
navigation students, but anyone interested in the history of
science would love it. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it
down.
*The Ensign*
Well researched and written, with simple black and white
illustrations, Navigation Through the Ages provides a timeline of
the evolution of navigation, one that continues to expand and
change.
*Sailing*
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