Positives The book receives widespread acclaim for its engaging and insightful exploration of the concept of time, particularly its historical evolution and standardization in Denmark. Reviewers consistently praise its excellent writing style, describing it as well-written, witty, and providing a clear overview of a topic often taken for granted. The narrative is found to be fascinating, not dry or boring, full of interesting facts, anecdotes, and thought-provoking stories about how time was perceived and measured from local village times to modern standardization. Readers appreciate the author's clear enthusiasm for the subject and its unique Danish perspective, which is noted as a refreshing contrast to English-language works on similar themes. Many consider it an outstanding entry in its series, setting a high bar for subsequent titles.
Negatives While the content of the book is highly regarded, the audiobook version receives significant criticism. One reviewer expressed extreme frustration with the narrator's performance, describing it as lacking enthusiasm and sounding like a "human computer voice" with little feeling for the text. Issues included poor pronunciation of technical terms and foreign words, which further detracted from the listening experience. This led to the reviewer being unable to complete the audiobook, highlighting a stark contrast with the engaging reading experiences typically found in other audiobooks.
Conclusion Overall, the book is highly recommended for its captivating and informative content, particularly in its print format. It offers an accessible yet deep dive into a crucial aspect of social history, revealing how something as fundamental as time was historically defined, debated, and standardized. This book would particularly appeal to readers interested in Danish history, social evolution, or anyone curious about the often-overlooked stories behind everyday concepts. Those who prefer physical books will likely find it an excellent and enriching read, though potential audiobook listeners should be aware of the reported issues with the narration.
