{"product_id":"the-crystal-that-conquered-the-edward-arthur-9798254223290","title":"The Crystal that Conquered the Atlantic: Unlocking the Secrets of Viking Navigation","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor centuries, a mystery has haunted the history of maritime exploration: How did the Vikings navigate the treacherous, fog-bound North Atlantic without a magnetic compass? While legends spoke of a \"sunstone\" that could locate the sun through thick clouds and snow, many dismissed these accounts as mere mythology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Viking Sunstone\u003c\/i\u003e, Edward Arthur bridges the gap between ancient sagas and cutting-edge science. This investigative journey dives into the \"magnetic vacuum\" of the Viking Age, exploring how Norse seafarers used high-latitude physics to reach the shores of North America a thousand years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside this book, you will discover: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Power of Polarization: \u003c\/b\u003e How atmospheric physics and Rayleigh scattering allow a simple crystal to reveal the invisible architecture of the sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Iceland Spar Mystery: \u003c\/b\u003e A deep dive into the unique optical properties of calcite and why it served as the ultimate natural navigational tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArchaeological \"Smoking Guns\" \u003c\/b\u003e An analysis of the Elizabethan-era Alderney shipwreck find and what it reveals about the long-term use of optical navigation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSagas vs. Science: \u003c\/b\u003e A meticulous look at the \u003ci\u003eRauðúlfs  áttr\u003c\/i\u003e and other historical texts that provided the technical clues for modern researchers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis work challenges the boundary between primitive and sophisticated technology, showing that the Norse were not just brave explorers, but empirical scientists of the highest order.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Edward Arthur\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798254223290\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/29\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 142\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.44lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.30d","brand":"Edward Arthur","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48437744992511,"sku":"9798254223290","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_e6b522e7-589d-4e76-b20b-13b8c1494305.jpg?v=1777163768","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-crystal-that-conquered-the-edward-arthur-9798254223290","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}