Audiobook Review: A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks by Chad Orzel, Narrated by Mike Lenz

A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks was written by Chad Orzel and narrated by Mike Lenz. Predating written language and marching on through human history, the desire for ever-better timekeeping has spurred technological innovation and sparked theories that radically reshaped our understanding of the universe and our place in it. Chad Orzel, a physicist and bestselling author, continues his tradition of demystifying thorny scientific concepts by using the clocks and calendars central to our everyday activities as a jumping-off point to explore the science underlying the ways we keep track of our time. Ancient solstice markers depend on the basic astrophysics of our solar system; mechanical clocks owe their development to Newtonian physics; and the ultra-precise atomic timekeeping that enables GPS hinges on the predictable oddities of quantum mechanics. Along the way, Orzel visits the delicate negotiations involved in Gregorian calendar reform, the intricate and entirely unique system employed by the Maya, and how the problem of synchronizing clocks at different locations ultimately required us to abandon the idea of time as an absolute and universal quantity. Sharp and engaging, A Brief History of Timekeeping is a story not just about the science of sundials, sandglasses, and mechanical clocks, but also the politics of calendars and time zones, the philosophy of measurement, and the nature of space and time itself.

A Brief History of Timekeeping is a thorough and fascinating description about how people throughout history have calculated, marked, and understood time. I thought that the history of calendars, clocks, and all the theories and math that surround them was well explained and that the information about the people involved, and the day to day aspects, made it more accessible. I will admit that there were moments deep into the numbers of physics that I felt a bit over my head, I think that if I had the print version of the book to look at the charts and calculations rather than listening to the numbers being read off it might have felt slightly easier to follow. I think the narrator did a great job of conveying the information with good tone and inflection, as I do not think I could have made it through the more complicated bits if the narrator had been less skilled. I liked the honesty and humor that came into play on occasion- acknowledging that many of the calendar and time decisions were based on politics as much as math and practicality. I also liked that the author disclosed any connection to certain figures in the history, to avoid any potential claims of favor. I thought the book as a whole was interesting, well balanced, and informative. I even gained a new favorite word- perturbation. 

A Brief History of Timekeeping is an informative and engaging look at the history of how people have looked at time.