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book cover for The Compass

The Compass

A Novel

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Pub Date Aug 8 2026 | Archive Date Jul 29 2026

Linus Publishing | Azimuth Press


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Description

What if you could stand beside Einstein when relativity was born — or watch Steve Jobs envision the future in a Silicon Valley garage?

For four gifted students at a Palo Alto academy, that question becomes breathtaking reality.

When the group uncovers an antique compass hidden in a nearby garden, their enigmatic mentor, Professor Roy, reveals its secret: the artifact enables resonance — a form of mental time travel that drops them directly into history's most electrifying moments of human genius.

From the birth of quantum physics with Albert Einstein, to the invention of the integrated circuit with Robert Noyce, to the digital revolution ignited by Steve Jobs, the teens don't just witness history — they live it. They feel the pressure of impossible ideas, the sting of failure, and the intoxicating spark of world-changing discovery.

But as the journeys deepen, so do the stakes. The compass may have a purpose far greater than any of them imagined — and its fate could shape generations to come.

Perfect for fans of Walter Isaacson's The Innovators, readers who loved The Alchemist, and anyone who has ever wondered what it truly takes to change the world.

A sweeping coming-of-age adventure that blends historical fact with imaginative fiction, The Compass asks the questions that matter most: What is genius? What is responsibility? And what will you do with the knowledge you carry?

Read the book and find out!

What if you could stand beside Einstein when relativity was born — or watch Steve Jobs envision the future in a Silicon Valley garage?

For four gifted students at a Palo Alto academy, that question...


A Note From the Publisher

(June 22)
Hi everyone,
We’ve just updated the file to the final Global Edition layout (6" x 9"). If you haven't started reading yet, please download the new version for the best experience!

(June 22)
Hi everyone,
We’ve just updated the file to the final Global Edition layout (6" x 9"). If you haven't started reading yet, please download the new version for the best experience!


Advance Praise

"Philip Pullman meets Stephen Hawking in this beautiful book exploring human potential. Adventure, awakening and a touch of whimsy."

—Monabi Mitra, Writer/Professor

"Sunil Mehta’s novel takes us on an unusual voyage where we must travel back in time in order to find our tomorrow. As the world grapples with the ethical problems AI has raised, four youthful protagonists attempt to invoke the moral compass of scientific research and discovery by revisiting their history. Innovative and timely, The Compass delves into what is perhaps the most confounding dilemma facing humankind today with a rare blend of knowledge and imagination."

—Anuradha Marwah. Novelist, Playwright & Professor

“A fascinating book… Sunil Mehta does an outstanding job of bringing to life the pioneers who transformed our world over the last century. Novelizing their lives is an interesting way to introduce these remarkable innovators to readers who might otherwise never take the time to get to know them.”

—David Laws, Semiconductor Curator, Computer History Museum

"Everyone knows who invented the telephone, the light bulb and the airplane. But who invented the integrated circuit and the microprocessor—and helped create the digital world we live in today? Few people know. The Compass answers those questions in a way that makes learning history both engaging and fun.”."

—John East

Former CEO, Actel Corporation; Author, Silicon Valley: The Way I Saw It

"Philip Pullman meets Stephen Hawking in this beautiful book exploring human potential. Adventure, awakening and a touch of whimsy."

—Monabi Mitra, Writer/Professor

"Sunil Mehta’s novel takes us on an...


Marketing Plan

Facebook, Instagram: @thecompassnovel

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Other marketing options currently being explored.

Facebook, Instagram: @thecompassnovel

Substack.

Other marketing options currently being explored.


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9798996296002
PRICE $19.99 (USD)
PAGES 464

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