History of the Hour: Clocks and Modern Temporal Orders

by Gerhard Dohrn-van Rossum, Thomas Dunlap (Translator)

In this sweeping study of the organization of time, Dohrn-van Rossum offers fresh insight into the history of the mechanical clock and its influence on European society from the late Middle Ages to the industrial revolution. Detailing the clock's effects on social activity, he presents a vivid picture of a society regulated by the precise measurement of identical hours.

"In tracing the evolution of time consciousness with scholarship and skill . . . Dohrn-van Rossum evokes the many ways that the small moments of life have come to be reckoned with the passage of time."—Dava Sobel, Civilization

"Dohrn-van Rossum paints a highly nuanced picture of time's conquest of modern life."—Steven Lagerfeld, Wilson Quarterly

"This book is definitive in showing the clock's pervasive influence over European society."— Virginia Quarterly Review

"[A] delightful, excellently translated history."— Choice

"Dohrn-van Rossum has produced a persuasive and brilliantly documented new understanding of how modern time-consciousness arose."—Owen Gingerich, Nature

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval History

463 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Miao]

Ohhhh, so difficult one. I recommend it if you are interested in "time" and "clock".

[James Bandy]

Hard academic reading, but a fascinating subject.

[Michael P.]

An excellent academic book on the history of clocks and the impact of various kinds of timepieces on society. I am admit that I had difficulty following the author when he transitioned to the history of messengers and then of transportation, but the trains do need to run on time, so I eventually figured it out.

[Jeni Enjaian]

The subject is quite interesting. However, the text is far too technical for its own good. I would not recommend this book unless one is taking a class on the subject or doing research in the area. In those situations this book is a valuable resource.