Sundials: Their Theory and Construction

No other book, as far as I know, gives such clear detail about making your own sundials. That word seems so narrow; Waugh covers much more of solar time-telling than just dials. One thing that amazes me is his passion. He writes with clear pride about his own sundials, good to within (he says) ten seconds! This book covers graphical or analytic techniques for laying out sundials on just about any surface that doesn't move, horizontal, vertical (facing any direction), slanted, or even the ceiling. He also discusses the movable kind, like a "shepherd's dial". It has nothing inherently to do with sheep, but can be used anywhere, even without knowing true north. The historian may be disappointed. This is not a catalogue of sundials through the ages, although bits of history are scattered throughout. In one sense, though, this is a view into the time of its writing (1973). A modern reader, with access to modern calculators and computers, will be amused if not puzzled by some of tricks used to make hand computation more feasible. I don't know anyone any more who multiplies by adding logs, and the circumlocutions around negative logarithms look positively quaint. The only real flaw in this book is its systematic omission of half the world: the southern hemispehere. It wouldn't have been so hard to add just a paragraph or two about sundials that work "backwards". Although this book celebrates the craft and art that can go into a sundial, its real value is technical. This book gives the essential methods for the functional side of a solar time-piece; bring your own artistry.

I bought this book and one by Milton Stoneman (Easy to Make Sundials – Dover Books) because I had a casual interest in sundials and their construction. I'm not a mathematician, astronomer or a serious scientist, so the technical side isn't as important to me. I did want to better understand how sundials work and get some ideas about their construction. This book is more advanced than the book by Stoneman. There is significantly more technical information and more of the math to improve the accuracy of your sundials. As I said, I’m not a mathematician and the math in this book is still within my grasp. While I felt the Stoneman book was written and presented to be within reach of the average mortal, this book is at a higher level and certainly satiated my desire for understanding sundials. If you understand and learn everything in this book, you’ll be the local sundial expert, provided you don’t live next door to the university PhDs. I liked the book and it was as good as I expected. The book goes beyond the basic theory of sundials and gives some information on projects. This clearly is a stand-alone book but I'm glad I also bought the Stoneman book as a companion purchase. The two books combined were pretty much what I was looking for.

A pretty good introduction to sundials but more of a "How To" book. A little too light on theory considering that it touts "theory" in the title. Not much discussion about the way the Sun moves, the Equation of Time and what causes it, the changes in the Sun's declination and how it effects your sundial; the difference between clock time and solar time, and so on. It is sort of there in bits and pieces as he discusses how to lay out various dials, but no comprehensive overview is offered and any explanations offered are cursory. If you already know enough about that stuff to read a sundial properly and you just want to know how to make a sundial, or set up that sundial you just bought, or you don't really care that much about studying the theory, you will be fine with this book. If you really want to dig into the theory, the math, and the design; or if you want to understand how an unusual sundial you have come across in real life or the internet actually works; or if you want to understand what all those "extra" lines on a complex sundial do and how to read them; or you want to design an unusual dial of your own, this book is not going to be much help.

Recommended seller!!!! AAA!!!

I purchased this book as a follow-up to the Austrian sundial I recently acquired, with a sincere intention to delve into the subject. It seems I have quite the task ahead of me. This review represents my personal opinion and experience with this product. I am not affiliated with the manufacturer or seller, and this review should not be interpreted as an endorsement or professional advice. Any reliance on the information provided is at your own risk.

This is THE BOOK you need if you want to know how to LAYOUT sundials properly. There is NO information on what materials to use and how to mark said materials should you want to actually BUILD a sundial, so you will either need preexisting knowledge on construction materials, or another book (the ones I've found are generally kids projects using things such as paper plates and toothpicks, to more adult projects using wood and a wood burning tool.... which isn't the best choice for a permanent outdoor sundial). That being said, you need to understand HOW to properly LAYOUT a sundial before you BUILD one, and this book is key to that understanding. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

It truly is not for the average person who just wants basic information on sundials and a BRIEF history

Dover Publications is well known for their high quality books for a low price, and this is one of them. It took some time to receive it, but the book itself is top notch!

very good product, excellent for people who want make a sundials good seller, fast shipping and very good package excellent

Este es un libro de lectura absolutamente deliciosa. El autor, sin ser astrónomo ni nada parecido, sabe ( léase entiende) de lo que escribe, lo que no es poco.

The theoritical concepts are explained in simple terms. While there are many types of dials explained I was looking for the concepts behind simple horizontal garden dials. Without starting off with solar system and the precession cycle etc it beautifully explains longitudinal correction, equation of time and their adjustments.

I purchased the book after reading a newspaper article that gave a passing reference to sundials. Wishing explore the history and mathematical mechanics behind their construction, I was amazed at the number of different types and varieties that can made. This book is a goldmine of reliable and accurate information and I have no hesitation in recommending it those, who not only seek an authoritative source of information, but also wish to engage in sundial construction. You will not be disappointed.