Book 2,492 – The Clock That Talks and What it Tells by Will Gardner

Up for sale is The Clock That Talks and What it Tells by Will Gardner. This book is a portrait story of Nantucket’s most interesting person, Walter Folger who called himself “clock and watchmaker” but because he was so many things besides, the islanders said “he’s as odd as huckleberry chowder”. Benjamin Franklin and Walter Folger descended directly from Peter Folger, the most important man among the first settlers on Nantucket Island. Benjamin Franklin’s mother was Peter Folger’s daughter Abiah, born and raised on the island. Walter was 3 generations later, but both Benjamin and Walter inherited the Folger heavy body, the questioning eyes and the fixed, calm mouth. Both also shunned school and university and made the universe his teacher; and both became famous for Yankee interest in mechanical gadgets, natural laws, science and statescraft. Walter Folger kept no diary and left few documents, but he built a strange grandfather’s astronomical clock, not to sell but to satisfy himself, and this clock tells the story of his interest and records his characteristics. Those closest to the clock feel that it does more than tell time; it talks of the mysteries of life and the boundaries of knowledge. 143 pages. Hard cover with jacket. Copyright 1954. The jacket is in poor condition. The rest of the book is in excellent condition. – Book 2,492