Big Ben: The Great Clock and the Bells at the Palace of Westminster - Hardcover

McKay, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199585695 ISBN 13: 9780199585694

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Big Ben covers the history of 'Big Ben', the great clock and bells at Westminster, from the origins of Westminster as the seat of government right up to the celebrations of the Great Clock's 150th anniversary in 2009.

The book begins by taking the reader through a typical visit to the Clock Tower, and then begins the history of the palace of Westminster, covering the fire of 1834, the building of the New Houses of Parliament and development of the clock and the bells, going into detail on their design and installation. The book covers the famous cracking of the current bell Big Ben in 1859, with sketches of all the characters involved, the two world wars, and the disaster of 1976. The book ends with a detailed technical description of the clock mechanism.

The book is richly illustrated, and will appeal not only to clockmakers and horologists, but to bell enthusiasts, and those with an interest in our rich Victorian heritage.

About this title

About the Author:

Turret clocks have been Chris McKay's interest since he was a boy; the first he saw was in a derelict tower from his school's playing field, and when he was 19 he became involved in the clock's restoration. Since then he has been involved in many restoration events including projects in Canada, Australia, Italy and Africa. For 27 years Chris was on the Committee for the Turret Clock Group of the Antiquarian Horological Society and was Chairman for half of that time. He has also served on the Board of the British Horological Institute and has been Vice-Chairman of the Institute. Currently he serves on the Clocks Committee of the Church Buildings Council, a Church of England body that advises on historical issues and awards grant aid.

Review:

It is a well presented book, with a wealth of interesting facts and figures, and well worth a place on any bookshelf. * Jill Hadfield, Horological Journal * A very good book [...], a work which holds the interest of the reader whilst imparting knowledge of both the history and technology of the clock, the tower, and bells; an impressive feat. It is also a book which tells enough to stimulate interest while not being too heavy. If you have only one book on turret clocks, it should probably be this one. * Colin Fergusson, Horological Journal * As with all the best historical object biographies, McKay's book invites us - no forces us - to look at a familiar artefact with entirely fresh and searching eyes. Details we may have previously overlooked now, with McKay's patient guidance, become startlingly apparent, and these revelations are much needed if we are to understand fully the role of technology in our everyday lives. * David Rooney, Antiquarian Horology * Chris McKay tells you everything you could possibly want to know about the clock and its bells ... he knows his stuff. * Keith Richmond, Government Gazette * Chris McKay is to be congratulated on writing what must be the definitive book on the origin and history of this much loved icon of the British people. Well produced, profusely illustrated and clearly written, the book describes the mechanical detail and history of the great clock and bells in a manner that will enlighten expert and layman alike. If you only ever buy one book on clocks, this should most definitely be it. * The Ringing World *

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0199585695
• ISBN 13: 9780199585694
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288