NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: 1966 Bowditch: One volume or two?
From: Robert Eno
Date: 2002 Sep 27, 10:00 +0100
From: Robert Eno
Date: 2002 Sep 27, 10:00 +0100
Lee Martin wrote: >With reference to Robert Eno's comment about the 1966 edition being perhaps >the finest produced (defined in terms of extensive treatment of >non-electronic navigation, I presume).....I had always assumed that the two >volume sets of the late 60's through to the 80's were the most expansive. I >would be interested in Robert's comments about why he has singled the 1966 >edition out. > >Lee Martin > Happy to oblige. I can't quantify my opinion with cold hard facts and figures. Certainly the 1966 edition is quite expansive with regard to non-electronic navigation, however, I cannot honestly compare it, page for page with other editions of Bowditch, not having read any of these cover to cover. I have the 1984 double volume set and a 1943 single volume edition as well. What I like about the 1966 edition is that 1)it is a comprehensive volume and provides a great deal of information, inlcuding the tables; 2) it is all contained in one volume which renders it more convenient to haul around; and 3) I like the layout and quality of the book; particularly the acetate overlays on the coloured star charts and a host of other little extras not included in subsequent volumes. The 1966 edition is just a nice volume. My other more experienced navigator friends -- most of whom served in the United States Navy -- consider the 1966 edition to be the best of the lot which is why I glomed onto a few volumes in the first place. After having read through it myself, I agree with them, although I readily admit that my own reasons for coming to this conclusion are probably more esoteric and not as defensible with cold hard facts as those of my more learned friends. So there you have my long-winded response! ------------------- Email sent using AnyEmail (http://netbula.com/anyemail/) Netbula LLC is not responsible for the content of this email