Marconi's Miracle: The Wireless Bridging of the Atlantic

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Marconi’s receipt of the first transatlantic telegraphic signal
revolutionized telecommunications worldwide. Tarrant has clearly laid
out in 10 short chapters the events that preceded and followed that
historic moment.

He begins by introducing the state of early communications technology,
its pioneers, and Newfoundland’s contribution by virtue of its
geographical location. He then provides a short biography of Marconi,
chronicles his experiences as a young inventor, and details the
experiments on Signal Hill that windy December 12th in 1901 when the
letter S was heard from across the Atlantic. Marconi’s subterfuge
about the nature of his St. John’s experiment and the reason he was
unable to continue his work in Newfoundland are clearly explained.
Tarrant finishes the story with a brief description of how Marconi
proceeded to develop wireless technology elsewhere and its implications
for maritime communication.

This straightforward account is well-researched and features plenty of
period photographs. The addition of three appendixes, a bibliography,
and index, as well as a table of contents with explanatory chapter
headings make this an excellent choice for schools. Highly recommended.