Imagine a world without clocks. The only descriptive word is primitive. In an age of to-the-second timing, it's easy to forget that until the 14th century sundials and waterclocks were the only semi-scientific way of keeping time. No general could say, "Synchronize your sundials." No herald could proclaim the hour beyond the range of his own voice and the accuracy of his own guess. This massivetribute to time, the ultimate chronicle of chronology, is enhanced with many photographs. The history is engrossing: Once the principle was established, clockmakers outdid one another in producing lavish, complicated timepieces, many of which survive in museums. With a bright text that reads like fiction, the author traces development of clocks and watchmaking to the present day. Famous names all are here - Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars-Piguet, even Elgin and Bulova. With wit and knowledge, the author carries the tale into "The Quartz Revolution."

Landes, David S