CONTENTS

Foreword by Henri Michel          
Preface             
Chapter I: History of the Sundial           
Chapter II: Some Gnomonic Cosmography         
Chapter III: Classical Sundials           
Chapter IV: Inclined Dials           
Chapter V: Solar Calendars           
Chapter VI : Analemmatic Dials         
Chapter VII : Moon Dials         
Chapter VIII : Elevation Dials, Azimuth Dials, Direction Dials, and Others    
Chapter IV: Remarkable Dials – Past and Present                 
Chapter X: Inscriptions on Sundials                   
Tables             
References            
List of Plates           
Index                    

Foreword by the Editor

Nowadays it takes an effort to put oneself back thousands of years, to when man first tried to measure the time of day. The story of the amazing development and proliferation of ways of telling time from the shadow cast by the sun (and even from the moon) is told in René Rohr's masterly work, translated from French by Dr Gabriel Godin.
Sundials have been made in a great variety of shapes and sizes and M. Rohr describes them all. His instructions for constructing a dial can be followed by those with no special skills apart from a knowledge of the basic principles of cosmography and of the relative movements of the sun and planets. (These are recalled in an elementary way in a special chapter).
For mathematically inclined readers more complex formulae and calculations have been included, some of which have never before been printed in a volume of gnomonics.
A historical account of the evolution of sundials from prehistoric times reveals the curious secrets of this old science. Some of the rarer and more complex dials to be found around the world are analysed, and the most popular dial mottoes are listed in a separate chapter. Sculptors, architects, handymen, historians of science, and many others will find this handsome book interesting reading.

Foreword by Henri MichelAs a specialist, I have read most of the books about sundials and yes I must sincerely recommend this one and congratulate the author on it.
 
Formerly a ship captain, René R.J.ROHR had already revealed himself as a fine observer and as a person extremely sensitive to the beauty of things in his books on travel. He is therefore well equipped to pass judgement on an instrument that is simultaneously scientific, historical, and artistic. His lively pen, his direct and simple style, his expressive vocabulary, his avoidance of pedantry, his conciseness in the exposition of his thoughts make his book a pleasure to read.
Too many writers, in dealing with this topic, would have accumulated the references or exhibited their erudition, or even taken a detached attitude of superiority. René R. J.ROHR knows that true humility consists in ignoring one's own humbleness and never taking pride in it. He thinks first about his reader, of what will interest him. He does not try to teach: he only wants us to develop understanding.
 Once we have read these lively, picturesque, and clearly written pages, once we have gained a precise idea of this gnomonics which has attracted so many mathematicians, we will feel much sympathy for the author. Indeed he has fulfilled the three conditions required for a good book: have something to say; say it; don't say anything else.         
         Henri Michel, International Academy of the History of Science.
Nowadays it takes an effort to put oneself back thousands of years, to when man first tried to measure the time of day. The story of the amazing development and proliferation of ways of telling time from the shadow cast by the sun (and even from the moon) is told in René Rohr's masterly work, translated from French by Dr Gabriel Godin.
Sundials have been made in a great variety of shapes and sizes and M. Rohr describes them all. His instructions for constructing a dial can be followed by those with no special skills apart from a knowledge of the basic principles of cosmography and of the relative movements of the sun and planets. (These are recalled in an elementary way in a special chapter).
For mathematically inclined readers more complex formulae and calculations have been included, some of which have never before been printed in a volume of gnomonics.
A historical account of the evolution of sundials from prehistoric times reveals the curious secrets of this old science. Some of the rarer and more complex dials to be found around the world are analysed, and the most popular dial mottoes are listed in a separate chapter. Sculptors, architects, handymen, historians of science, and many others will find this handsome book interesting reading.

Foreword by Henri MichelAs a specialist, I have read most of the books about sundials and yes I must sincerely recommend this one and congratulate the author on it.
 
Formerly a ship captain, René R.J.ROHR had already revealed himself as a fine observer and as a person extremely sensitive to the beauty of things in his books on travel. He is therefore well equipped to pass judgement on an instrument that is simultaneously scientific, historical, and artistic. His lively pen, his direct and simple style, his expressive vocabulary, his avoidance of pedantry, his conciseness in the exposition of his thoughts make his book a pleasure to read.
Too many writers, in dealing with this topic, would have accumulated the references or exhibited their erudition, or even taken a detached attitude of superiority. René R. J.ROHR knows that true humility consists in ignoring one's own humbleness and never taking pride in it. He thinks first about his reader, of what will interest him. He does not try to teach: he only wants us to develop understanding.
 Once we have read these lively, picturesque, and clearly written pages, once we have gained a precise idea of this gnomonics which has attracted so many mathematicians, we will feel much sympathy for the author. Indeed he has fulfilled the three conditions required for a good book: have something to say; say it; don't say anything else.         

         Henri Michel, International Academy of the History of Science.