Introduction
[pt]. 1. The meaning of measuring
ch. 1. Going metric
The measurement of the Earth by the ancient Greeks
Latitude and longitude
Figuring the shape of the Earth
Measuring the metre
The metrication of the world
ch. 2. Numbers and mathematics
Counting and accounting
Tallies, quipus and abacuses
Ancient numerals
Number bases
Zero and infinity
Coordinates
Geometry
The golden ration
Fractals
Mathematics : natural or human?
ch 3. Customary units
Weight and density
Length and distance
Area and volume
Angle
Money and value
Time
ch. 4. Instruments and techniques
Accuracy and precision, error and uncertainty
How long is a piece of string?
Telescopes
Microscopes
Thermometers
Barometers
Seismographs
Geiger counters
Spectrometers
Lasers
national institutions for measurement


[pt]. 2. Measuring nature
ch. 5. Atoms
Atoms and quantum theory
Atomic clocks
Radioactivity and isotopes
The periodic table - Ions and valency
Chemical concentration
Acidity and alkalinity
Volume and pressure
Temperature and energy
Mass and the standard kilogram
Materials, stress and strain
Radiation and colour
Relativity
Sound
Electricity and magnetism
Nanotechnology
ch. 6. Earth
Compasses
Surveying
Satellites
Weather and atmosphere
Storms, hurricanes and tornadoes
Lightning
Climate change
Geological eras
Plate tectonics
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
volcanoes
Minerals, diamonds and gold
Biological species
ch. 7. Universe
The heliocentric universe
The motion of the planets
The Moon
Planets
The Sun
Stars
Comets
Black holes
Constants of nature
The expanding universe and the Big Bang


[pt]. 3. Measuring man
ch. 8. Mind
Language
Verse metre and scansion
Semaphore and Morse code
Writing systems
Shorthand
Paper and book sizes
Book and library classification
Typography
Photography
Computing
Tools, nails and screws
Music and singing
IQ and intelligence
ch. 9. Body
The human genome
blood
Medical scanning
Eyes and lenses
Body mass index
Calorie count and food additives
Alcohol content
Air quality and pollen count
Sun protection factor
Medical prescriptions - - Disease incubation
Pain
Stress factors
Textiles and togs
ch. 10. Calendars
Time zones
Postal codes
Opinion polls
Censuses
ID, truth and lies
Race
Military rank
Gun calibre
Economics
Lotteries and gambling
Sports and games
Collective nouns
Epilogue : The measure of all things
Further reading
Illustration credits
Index.