Presents a highly illustrated and jargon-free account of the relationships between people and their binoculars since they first appeared in the early 17th century.
The book begins with the invention and subsequent technological developments of binoculars, providing a historical palate against which the colourful social history of binoculars can be told.
Throughout the book profiles of people who have intriguing, arresting and often moving stories to tell about their binoculars are showcased. These include Naval rating Jack Best, who was given a U-boat binocular from a captured German officer during his service on HMS Penelope during World War II.