George Everest spent much of the first half of the 19th century surveying
India. Dogged triangulation by the benighted colonel the Indians called “Kumpass
Wala” virtually covered the entire subcontinent. But the most intriguing
revelation in Everest, J. R. Smith’s austere biography of an austere life, is
that almost the only geographical feature he never saw was the mountain that
bears his name. Published by Whittles, £37.50, ISBN 1870325729.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans
2
Exclusive report: Inside Chernobyl, 40 years after nuclear disaster
3
Monkeys walk around a virtual world using only their thoughts
4
A key solution to climate change isn't happening – and that's good
5
Surprising male G-spot found in most detailed study of the penis yet
6
The man who ruined mathematics
7
Largest ever map of universe captures 47 million galaxies and quasars
8
What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong?
9
The daring idea that time is an illusion and how we could prove it
10
The stunning physics of Project Hail Mary go back to ancient China
