From Dead Reckoning to GPS
More history and less technical analysis than most of my books. Why? Well, on the one hand there is an awful lot of navigation history, and presenting the subject through the lens of history sheds an insightful light on the subject. On the other hand, while some technicalities of the subject are accessible, others are definitely not--unless you want an explanation of Einstein's theory of relativity, which is essential for a full understanding of how GPS works. As well as navigational equipment and techniques, you will find here biographical sketches of important explorers and geographers (maps feature large, as you might expect). You will also need to know about the Earth's orbit, and tides, so these appear early on. Basically, you will get to know about orbital mechanics, geography, geodesy, cartography, surveying, exploration, and the digital information age-- all delivered with a light touch, I hope you'll agree. The Science of Navigation (2012) is published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Mark Denny Books 