Why do you think a "multi-volume history" emerged from "conversations" rather than a formal directive? What does this suggest about the nature of such a large undertaking within an institution like Cambridge University Press?

Synthesized answer

A "multi-volume history" emerged from conversations rather than a formal directive, as indicated by the snippet stating that it "seems to have emerged from conversations" [1]. These conversations were initiated by someone at first [1].

This suggests that such a large undertaking within an institution like Cambridge University Press might begin organically through discussions rather than a top-down mandate. The passages imply that the scale of the project was recognized, with the understanding that the undertaking "would necessarily be very large" [1]. However, the passages do not elaborate on the specific implications of this emergent process for the nature of the undertaking within the institution, nor do they explain why it emerged from conversations rather than a formal directive beyond the fact that the conversations were "led at first by..." [1].

Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.