The Perfectionists

How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World

By: Simon Winchester

Narrated by: Simon Winchester

The revered New York Times bestselling author traces the development of technology from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age to explore the single component crucial to advancement—precision—in a superb history that is both an homage and a warning for our future.

The rise of manufacturing could not have happened without an attention to precision. At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in eighteenth-century England, standards of measurement were established, giving way to the development of machine tools—machines that make machines. Eventually, the application of precision tools and methods resulted in the creation and mass production of items from guns and glass to mirrors, lenses, and cameras—and eventually gave way to further breakthroughs, including gene splicing, microchips, and the Hadron Collider.

Simon Winchester takes us back to origins of the Industrial Age, to England where he introduces the scientific minds that helped usher in modern production: John Wilkinson, Henry Maudslay, Joseph Bramah, Jesse Ramsden, and Joseph Whitworth. It was Thomas Jefferson who later exported their discoveries to the fledgling United States, setting the nation on its course to become a manufacturing titan. Winchester moves forward through time, to today’s cutting-edge developments occurring around the world, from America to Western Europe to Asia.

As he introduces the minds and methods that have changed the modern world, Winchester explores fundamental questions. Why is precision important? What are the different tools we use to measure it? Who has invented and perfected it? Has the pursuit of the ultra-precise in so many facets of human life blinded us to other things of equal value, such as an appreciation for the age-old traditions of craftsmanship, art, and high culture? Are we missing something that reflects the world as it is, rather than the world as we think we would wish it to be? And can the precise and the natural co-exist in society?

A precise account of precision by a perfectionist

Simon Winchester's polished, yet sincere, unpretentious and, yes, precise narrative is a delight to listen to, which only adds to the experience of learning about the intricacies of the machinations of the world of engineering. The text is never boring, and is not only informative, but, crucially, formative, conducing the reader through the bootstrapping processes that led humanity to ever decreasing uncertainty about our physical world all the way to the unfathomable achievements of state of the art precision engineering. The author's delivery is impeccable, with minute attention to intonation, pace and register. A delight to notice very subtle changes in accent from Received Pronunciation to American or Australian pronunciation when Winchester is quoting and American and an Australian, respectively. Highly recommended entertainment and education.

Long winded but still good

This was a very interesting listen. I kept wanting to pause the book and look at a Rolls-Royce or check out an jet engine schematic. I highly recommend, but be prepared for minor digressions now and again.

Technically Satisfying

As an American, I loved the worldview this book brought to the history of precision and engineering in general. I learned how Britain and the US were both alike a different in their early manufacturing philosophies. The narrator's (and author's) voice was very easy to listen to.

Love Winchester

Simon Winchester's books are always interesting and informative. Made better by his own narration. They keep getting better.

Fascinating progression of things

Love the details in the narrative and Mr. Winchester’s voice. Another excellent book for this armchair engineer.