Inventions

The Brotherband by John Flanagan

/ Jean / Leave a comment

We are enjoying John Flanagan as an author and using the interviews on YouTube to get acquainted with this author’s motivation in writing for teens.

Our library already has the complete set of the Ranger’s Apprentice and we thought another series by this author might be of interest to our readers. Bullseye.

We now have the complete set of The Brotherband books.

Here he explains the difference between Viking and Skandian.

Follow-on videos have him talking about his series.

Long ago and far away, it seems that his own son was discouraged because of his unimpressive stature. Dad to the rescue – to write stories for his son about smaller boys being successful. One of his stories got out to a larger audience and the rest is history.

Of course at this point, he has fans.

See above his Grijze Jager Dag appearance.

Popular on audiobook and ebook as well. Enjoy the adventure!

John Harrison and the Problem of Longitude

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History of the Harrison clock

Currently reading “Longitude” by Dava Sobel and gaining insight into the fascinating story of dead reckoning navigation and its deadly results. As a consequence, the Longitude Act sought a better way of determining a ship’s position in the sea.

I like this video because I wanted to see one of John Harrison’s chronometers in action. There is more history here than I had already learned from the book, and I saw his early clocks, wooden clocks, clocks without lubrication; fascinating to the mechanical side of my interests.

John Harrison and the problem of Longitude

Big Ben

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What an amazing video for anyone mechanical — or recent time travelers 😉

Just finished the book by Kerstin Gier, “Ruby Red”, a new book in our library.

There is quite a bit about time travel and it makes one think about the possibilities. Time travel governed by a secret society, — well yes. It would be nefarious in most respects and therefore have to remain secret.

Having just finished that, listening via narration by Marisa Calin, there is a sudden interest in all things English. Indulge me as we take a swift tour of Big Ben.

It’s a Trike,– no a Boat,– no a Tiny!

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Inventions are always fascinating. One knows a lot of personal time and energy went into it and I hope this vehicle catches on.

It would be just the thing for the Spring floods… when you get stuck at work and realize you can’t get back home 😉

But seriously, this looks like a lot of fun and practical in an off-the-grid sort of way. The trike becomes a boat and a sleeping area (aka shelter). Have a look.