The Traces of Thomas Hariot

Rukeyser, Muriel

Published by Random House, New York, 1971

About this Item

365 pp., incl. index., + About the Author

*Stated first edition; second printing.*

A lovely copy (despite noted flaws) of this bizarre and fascinating biography written in poet's prose. Where empire meets hermeticism.

We would rather rate this book 'as described', but alas VG is our best estimate. Well-kept generally, with a nice showing of the blind-stamped signature of Hariot (top board), deckling of fore edge, and red-gold spine gilding. A handsome production of this period by Random House. Bookseller's paper label affixed to FFEP; else, no sign of provenance. No markings to text. However: burnt umber top stain has in part received some liquid droplets, which have reacted to the sunning (photos). The extreme upper edge of the linen is correspondingly sunned. There is a minute chip at the fore edge of the Contents page. The binding is admirably tight, however. Pages are unmarked and the quality of the paper still stands out. DJ in good shape, on the whole, but a closed tear and crease, verso, to be noted; also, edge wear at head, esp. spine; mylar covered.

Jacket copy, quoting the text: "Thomas Hariot--the friend of Walter Relegh and Sir Francis Drake--who as a young man came to the New World with the 1585 expedition (to "Virginia") to live his year, exploring and recording that unknown wilderness; friend of Marlowe, accused with him of heresy; linked with poets, mathematicians, and pioneer scientists; gone down, almost forgotten among great waves of crushing powers, caught indeed in all the heresies of his time, scientific, political, philosophical, sexual. Expert in ships and navigation and master-teacher to sea captains; astronomer who lived among the wars of vision and the Copernican struggle, among the grinding of lenses at the beginning of the telescope; philosopher whose thought links him with Kepler and the young Descartes; a man with the power to bind together poetry and science, England and America, youth and the heresies of forbidden knowledges, today and yesterday.".

Seller Inventory # DA-260201

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Traces of Thomas Hariot
• Publisher: Random House, New York
• Publication Date: 1971
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 2nd Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • American History
  • Britain and British Empire
  • Biography