Hands of Time cover art

Hands of Time

A Watchmaker's History of Time

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Hands of Time

By: Rebecca Struthers
Narrated by: Anna Ploszajski
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £17.94

Buy Now for £17.94

About this listen

 A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

A true joy. A work of staggering complexity and bewildering economy.' TELEGRAPH
'Every page glitters' SPECTATOR
'Mesmerising' NEW STATESMAN
'An exquisite book' STEPHEN FRY
______________________

In Hands of Time watchmaker and historian Rebecca Struthers welcomes us into the hidden world of watchmaking, and to a history of time that spans centuries and continents.

The invention of timepieces was more significant for human culture than the printing press, or even the wheel. They have travelled the world with us, from the depths of the oceans to the summit of Everest, and even to the Moon. They regulate our daily lives and have sculpted the social and economic development of society in surprising and dramatic ways.

From her workshop bench, Rebecca explores the ways in which timekeeping has indelibly shaped our attitudes to work, leisure, trade, politics, exploration and mortality, and introduces us to some extraordinary devices, each with their own story to tell. Hands of Time is an intricate exploration of the history, science, philosophy, and craft of timekeeping.

'A rattling, wonderful read.' OBSERVER
'Beautiful, bewitching and brilliant' LARA MAIKLEM
'An intensely personal, finely-tuned meditation. A beautiful book' EDMUND DE WAAL
©2023 Rebecca Struthers (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited History History & Culture Science World Technology Innovation
All stars
Most relevant
Overall as a watch-repairer restorer of 49 years i realised just how much knowledge I’ve accumulated the only fault, and it is my biggest gripe, the author fell into the trap of referring to a striking clock as a chiming clock.
For those who don’t know the difference, a chiming clock plays a part of a tune on the quarters most famous being the westminster chime fitted (1858) into the clock of the westminster palace erroneously called big ben as the author explains whilst a striking clock will sound generally on the hour and half hour on a single gong or bell but will use two notes as in quarter striking with the hours on a single note gong and then quarters on both, also bim bam striking with the hours and half hours striking out on two different gongs or sometimes bells

Chiming?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A perfect mix of history, social commentary and one persons personal journey in the world of horology.

Hugely Enjoyable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great idea and interesting factoids. I didn't mind the personal interludes like the author's anxiety. However the references to the bad-ole-days detracted and annoyed me. The Longitude award being a case in point. Because the prize would help shipping, which at the time included slavery. all other motives for the prize were secondary. Naughty Britishers. All nations had participated in slavery, but only the British sought to ban it. Asia still refuses to stamp it our. Also recall the supply chain - slaves were sold by slave owners to europeans in exchange for weapons to conquer and enslave more of their own people.
The author was discriminated against in her career, which was wrong. She could not, however, bring herself to work on any watches that may have been worn by German military during WW2. In case an evil Nazi had worn it once. If you were born in Germany at that time when the National Socialists beat the Communists into power you would have had little choice in the matter.

Very interesting apart from the woke topics.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fantastic view back in time of watchmaking through the ages… forgive the pun! I only wish the book was longer and left me googling a thousand terms! Next stop up to Birmingham to see the shop and maybe maybe get my name down for an heirloom!

Really loved this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great insight of horology from a watchmaker. Very well written with the connection between the history of watches and her personal experiences.

Loved hearing about the history of Horology told by someone who truly understands the art of watch making.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews