THE FIRST POPULAR HISTORY OF THE MAKING OF THE MASON-DIXON LINE The Mason-Dixon line-surely the most famous surveyors' line ever drawn-represents one of the greatest and most difficult scientific achievements of its time. But behind this significant triumph is a thrilling story; one that has thus far eluded both historians and surveyors. In this engrossing narrative; professional surveyor Edwin Danson takes us on a fascinating journey with Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon; two gifted and exuberant English surveyors; through the fields and forests of eighteenth-century America. Vividly describing life in the backwoods and the hardships and dangers of frontier surveying; Drawing the Line discloses for the first time in 250 years many hitherto unknown surveying methods; revealing how Mason and Dixon succeeded where the best American surveyors of the period failed. In accessible; ordinary language; Danson masterfully throws the first clear light on the surveying of the Mason-Dixon line. Set in the social and historical context of pre-Revolutionary America; this book is a spellbinding account of one of the great and historic achievements of its time. Advance Praise for Drawing the Line "Drawing the Line combines a fast-moving story; a human drama; and a clear account of surveying in the era of George Washington. An intriguing interaction of politics and science."-CHARLES ROYSTER; Boyd Professor of History; Louisiana State University; and Winner of the Bancroft Prize in History
#100358 in Books Unknown 2010-03-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .82 x 6.10l; .78 #File Name: 0470344040288 pagesamish
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