Dear Sun-diallers: I asked recently for an opinion on a book I had been offered. The book is:
>Homet, J-M. : Les CADRANS SOLAIRES [SUN-DIALS] ; Paris nd [1996?] folio >(24x31cm) cloth hc dw 64pp 123 colour plts many full-page, new mint. >French text. The seller claimed it as "Best book available on Sundials". I have had a wonderful set of responses from people on this list which I will summarise for others who may be interested in the matter of a good reference text. Most people do not think it is the best book available. That book is probably 'Sundials their Theory and Construction' by Alver E. Waugh. Dover Publications since it received a lot of votes. I had already ordered this and am awaiting it so I was pleased to hear that. Patrick Powers added comments that The Cadrans Solaires book has ideas for fancy artistic designs if that is what you want. "If you have money to spend more by way of investment then I'd personally wait to get one of the early books (18th C or before) on dialling. They are magic though hard to understand! Not cheap though...." John Carmichael also liked: "... for beginners ...: "Sundials, Their Construction And Use" by R. Newton Mayall." Some people suggested software. I am a Mac user so I have to look carefully for software. Alain had some great French language suggestions: > "cadrans solaires, les comprendre et les construire", Jean-Noel TARDY, > Edisud, ISBN 2-85744-805-8 (15 USD env.) many formulas, graphics, a few > photos > > "le cadran solaire, principe et realisation", George VERPLOEGH, editions > du tricorne, ISBN 2-8293-0174-2, (20 USD env.) plans, graphics, > formulas, demonstrations, photos, a high level, very good book. > > " MIDI AU SOLEIL" Pierre BOURGE & Jean FULCRAND, a very good book, not > expensive (less than 15 USD), with plans, graphics, photos, a few > fomulas, a simple explanation. Very good for french teenagers, or not > french adults (because of the language, not because of the level !!!) > But I don't have it under my hand, and don't know the editor and the > ISBN. John D Hall wrote: > Mike Shaw is spot on - Sundials Australia by Margaret Folkard and John Ward > is a first class starting point for this part of the world. Keep your eyes > open for their dials which you will find in various parts of this country - > they are truly beautiful objects. Mike Shaw at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > If you live in the Souther hemisphere, why not start with > > SUNDIALS AUSTRALIA > > > > Published by > > Sundials Australia > > 3 Bedford Street > > Kensington Park > > SA 5068 > > > > ISBN 0 646 22200 7 > > > > It would probably help as it's written the right way round for you. Thank you one and all. Maria Brandl [EMAIL PROTECTED]
