Simon Winchester Pořadí knih (chronologicky)

From the creation of the first encyclopedia to Wikipedia, award-winning writer Simon Winchester offers an all-encompassing exploration of how humans acquire, retain, and share information, and how technology reshapes our lives and minds. With the internet providing instant access to any topic, the question arises: what remains for our brains to do? As we increasingly devalue traditional knowledge—such as maths, map reading, and memorization—are we jeopardizing our capacity for thoughtful reflection? Winchester delves into how knowledge has been attained, stored, and disseminated throughout history, examining fields like education, journalism, and museum curation. He traces the evolution of knowledge diffusion from Babylonian cuneiform to the innovations of artificial intelligence, highlighting milestones such as Gutenberg, Google, and the Victorian Mundaneum, a vast collection of human knowledge stored in Belgium. This exploration prompts readers to consider the implications of abundant information devoid of wisdom. Are we losing the essence of rational thought? Does Descartes' assertion, "I think, therefore I am," still resonate in a world where wisdom may be waning? Winchester's work invites reflection on the future of knowledge and its impact on humanity.

A unique rendering of Iceland in winter by a renowned photographer and writer.

No photographer until David Freese has explored the various and wondrous landscapes along the Pacific Ocean in such depth, making this the first book to look comprehensively at what makes the natural beauty of this particular coast so memorable.

From 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.

The New York Times bestselling author examines the evolution of technology from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age, focusing on the essential role of precision in advancement. Beginning in eighteenth-century England during the Industrial Revolution, the establishment of measurement standards led to the creation of machine tools, enabling the mass production of various items, including firearms and optical devices. This precision ultimately paved the way for groundbreaking innovations like gene splicing and microchips. The narrative introduces key figures such as John Wilkinson, Henry Maudslay, and Thomas Jefferson, who played pivotal roles in shaping modern production and exporting these advancements to the United States, which emerged as a manufacturing powerhouse. Winchester then shifts to contemporary innovations across the globe, exploring the minds and methods that have transformed our world. He poses critical questions about the significance of precision, the tools we use to measure it, and the potential consequences of prioritizing precision over traditional craftsmanship, art, and culture. Ultimately, he challenges readers to consider whether the pursuit of precision has obscured other valuable aspects of life and whether precision and nature can coexist harmoniously in society.

Why do we say "bête noire" instead of "black beast," or "doppelgänger" rather than "double goer"? This engaging book explores how certain words become irreplaceable in their original languages, offering insights into diverse cultures and the unique vocabulary they provide for complex emotions and experiences. For instance, the Portuguese term "saudade" conveys a deep nostalgia that shapes their fado music, while "chutzpah" in Yiddish encapsulates bold audacity. It even introduces quirky terms like "attaccabottoni," describing someone who monopolizes your time with lengthy tales of woe. The Japanese word "yokomeshi," meaning "horizontal rice," illustrates the challenges of learning a foreign language, particularly the shift from vertical to horizontal writing. Meticulously researched with input from language specialists and written by a knowledgeable linguist, this book is a treasure trove for language enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike. Each chapter delves into the richness of various languages, making it visually appealing and easy to browse. With a foreword by Simon Winchester, it serves as a captivating guide to linguistic gems that capture unique concepts and define the essence of cultures around the world. Perfect for anyone intrigued by the interplay of language and culture during their travels.

Per secoli l'uomo si è rifiutato di affrontare il mare grigio, rombante e tempestoso che si estendeva al di là delle Colonne d'Ercole, abitato da mostri terrificanti come le Gorgoni e i Giganti Centimani o da razze bizzarre come i Cimmeri, gli Etiopi e i Pigmei; solo i Fenici, avidi e temerari, osarono sfidare quelle acque alla ricerca di un mollusco da cui estrarre il colore più ambito dalle élite di potere dell'età classica. Oggi l'Atlantico, nella percezione di molti, non è altro che un piccolo inconveniente, che dura giusto il tempo di un paio di film proiettati durante un volo intercontinentale. Fra questi due estremi sono passati duemilacinquecento anni di esplo­razioni, guerre, commerci e disastri, attraverso i quali l'oceano ha plasmato le ambizioni e la condotta di marinai, scienziati, mercanti e soldati, venendo visto, a seconda delle circostanze e della sorte, come un alleato o un nemico, una risorsa o un pericolo. Simon Winchester racconta con sapienza e arguzia l'ultramillenaria relazione fra l'Atlantico e gli esseri umani – predatori vichinghi e monaci irlandesi, cacciatori di balene e mercanti di schiavi, posatori di cavi e pirati –, mescolando storia e aneddoto, geografia e ricordi persona­­li, scien­za e affabulazione. Il risultato è un'e­po­pea del «mare interno della civiltà oc­cidentale» maestosa, sorprendente, burrascosa, cangiante – quasi quanto l'oceano stesso.

Schwelgen in makabrer Faszination! • Vom Erdferkel bis zum Roten Piranha, vom afrikanischen Löwen bis zum Runzelhornvogel über 300 faszinierenden Schädel aus der Sammlung Dudley in spektakulärer Aufnahmen • Klasse, Familie, Art erläuternde Kurzinfos zu wissenschaftlichen Eigentümlichkeiten, Einordnung, Ernährungs- und Verhaltensweisen der Tiere • Von Leonardo da Vinci bis Damien Hirst Geschichten und Geschichtliches über die Tradierung des Schädels in Kunst und Kultur Der Schädel ist seit jeher Symbol gegenwärtiger wie vergangener Existenz; er verströmt eine Aura der Gefahr, der Autorität, des Erhabenen. Wohl kein anderes biologisches Gebilde vermag die menschliche Psychologie derart zu packen wie diese hohle Knochenkugel. Simon Winchester blättert mit brillanter Erzählkunst die faszinierende Geschichte des Schädels auf und stellt einen Besessenen vor, der in lebenslanger Sammlerleidenschaft die wohl weltgrößte und umfassendste Privatkollektion von Tierschädeln zusammengetragen hat: Alan Dudley. Mehr hat als 2000 Schädel nennt er sein eigen, die er nahezu in Museumsqualität präpariert und katalogisiert hat. Über 300 der faszinierendsten Exponate seiner Sammlung werden in diesem packenden Bildband in verblüffend schönen Bildern und mit allen wesentlichen wissenschaftlichen Fakten vorgestellt.

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Winchester illuminates the men who toiled fearlessly to discover, connect, and bond the citizenry and geography of the U.S.A. from its beginnings and ponders whether the historic work of uniting the States has succeeded, and to what degree

Faszination Atlantik – die große Erzählung über ein Stück ungezähmte Natur Der Atlantik bedeckt ein Fünftel der Erdoberfläche und zieht die Menschen seit Jahrtausenden in seinen Bann. Er steckt voller verblüffender Geschichten und Anekdoten und ist das eigentliche Zentrum unserer westlichen Kultur. Simon Winchesters große, opulente Kultur- und Naturgeschichte des Atlantiks macht die Faszination für diesen »wildesten aller Ozeane« erlebbar. Seit er als Kind im Ozeandampfer zum ersten Mal den Atlantik überquert hat, fühlt sich Bestsellerautor Simon Winchester von dieser riesigen Wassermasse magisch angezogen. Immer wieder führten ihn seine Reisen kreuz und quer über den Atlantik; er recherchierte Fakten, sammelte Geschichten und Anekdoten. In seinem neuen Buch breitet er diese Schätze vor dem Leser aus. Spannend und kenntnisreich erzählt er, wie der Atlantik vor über 190 Millionen Jahren entstand und wie seit Urzeiten die Menschen sich mit diesem wildesten aller Meere messen. Fast scheint es, als hätten sie in jüngster Zeit den Kampf gewonnen – doch Simon Winchester ermahnt uns zu einem respektvollen Umgang mit diesem nach wie vor unberechenbaren Riesen. Ausstattung: Mit schwarz-weiß Abbildungen und farbigem Bildteil