The Book of Firsts : The Stories Behind the Outstanding Breakthroughs of the Modern World - Hardcover

Harrison, Ian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184403027X ISBN 13: 9781844030279

Publisher: Cassell Illustrated, 2003

Synopsis

Book by Harrison, Ian

About this title

About the Author:

Ian Harrison has written and researched a number of books including Over London and the getmapping.com range of titles. He also researched Edward Wessex's Crown and Country TV series, and co-wrote the accompanying book.

From Publishers Weekly:

Most people know who the first person to walk on the moon was and which country lays claim to serving the first hot dog. But for more arcane trivia, Harrison's book fits the bill. Did the earl of Sandwich indeed invent the sandwich? When was the first cardiac pacemaker implanted in a human? Who used the first false eyelashes? Where was the first department store? This generously illustrated compendium of firsts covers the full range of human activity, including medicine; food, drink; trade and technology; and government, law and order. Speed records, Nobel Prize winners, the invention of nylon-Harrison covers it all, in short, zippy paragraphs and timelines covering hundreds of human accomplishments. This is great for curious browsing or for settling those tough questions that come up at the dinner table, although some of the facts (e.g., "Australia is the only country that is also a continent") could limit the book's appeal to the grade-school set. More than 400 photos and illus.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cassell Illustrated
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 184403027X
• ISBN 13: 9781844030279
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 286