Time in History: Views of Time from Prehistory to the Present DayNever before has time obsessed humanity as much as now. The more accurately we measure it, the more it worries us. Although we complain that it passes too quickly, we seldom question its fundamental characteristics or the methods we use to measure it. Having grown so accustomed to the ideas of time, history, and evolution, we find it hard to imagine that these concepts were not always considered important. If, however, we wish to understand why time dominates our way of life and thought, we must examine the role it has played throughout history. G.J. Whitrow provides just the study we need. His compelling, groundbreaking volume traces the evolution of our general awareness of time and its significance from the dawn of history to the present day. He examines not only the development of our methods of measuring time, but also discusses how changing concepts of time have influenced history itself. From prehistoric times to the twentieth century, and ranging from Ancient Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Islamic World, India, and China, to Europe and America, Whitrow presents an absorbing account of the different ways that various civilizations throughout history have perceived time. |
What people are saying - Write a review
User Review - Flag as inappropriate
Stinky joe and donkulouse94 are loling around he heeeeeeeeeeeeeee
User Review - Flag as inappropriate
who can I take this book ?
Contents
Awareness of Time | 3 |
Describing Time | 11 |
Time at the Dawn of History | 21 |
Time in Classical Antiquity | 37 |
Time in the Middle Ages | 71 |
Time in the Far East and Mesoamerica | 87 |
Time in the Modern World 97 Part III Time in the Modern World | 99 |
Time and History in the Renaissance and the Scientific | 115 |
Time and History in the Eighteenth Century | 139 |
Evolution and the Industrial Revolution | 152 |
Rival Concepts of Time | 170 |
Time History and Progess | 177 |
Appendices | 187 |
| 194 | |
| 207 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
according accurate already ancient appears associated astronomical attention became become began beginning believed calendar called century Christianity Church civilization clock concept concerned Consequently continued course cycle depended determine divided early earth effect escapement Europe evidence example existence experience famous four future given Greek historians human idea important indicated influence interest introduced invention involved Italy knowledge known language later lived London longitude March mathematical means measure mechanical clock medieval Middle month moon motion nature object observers occurred origin Oxford particular past period philosopher physical possible practice present Press problem produced progress reason reference regarded result Roman rule scientific sense significance society stars successive temporal tended theory things thought universe watches whereas
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Time in History: Views of Time from Prehistory to the Present Day Oxford paperbacks Time In History Views of Time from Prehistory to the Present Day |
| Author | G. J. Whitrow |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press, 1989 |
| ISBN | 0192852116, 9780192852113 |
| Length | 217 pages |
| Subjects | › Science / Time |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |