Customer Reviews

The Book of the Moon

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up a copy of this book at my local library. It does indeed try to cover all things lunar, including many topics scientific and otherwise. I was taken aback by some of the discussion of basic physics in the introductory chapter. For instance, the author states that the force of gravity on the Moon pulling on the Earth is weaker than that of the Earth pulling on the Moon, a clear misunderstanding of Newton's 3rd Law. The discussion of tides then goes on to state the the force of the Moon on the center of the Earth is zero, positive on the side closer to the Moon and negative on the side farther from the Moon. There is indeed a gradient - the Moon's pull on the near side of the Earth is stronger than that on the far side of the Earth - but gravitational pull is never negative. A lay reader would get the impression that the Moon is repelling the far side of the Earth.

I also agree with the previous reviewer - in addition to getting some of the science wrong the book also blurs the line between science and pseudoscience in many places. A study of the Moon and humanity's relation to it is an interesting idea for a book, but clearer science and clearer distinctions with pseudoscience would be better.

The first chapter of this book is a really nice summary of what science knows about the moon.

There are other strong chapters about the relationship between moon and culture.

Then there are some chapters that state superstitions as if they were fact. A particularly ridiculous paragraph states that science "doesn't know" if the moon's tiny gravitational pull could affect your life. I'll clear that up right now-- if gravity is playing a force in guiding your life, then you better be paying attention to the movements of nearby trains and cars, because they exert a gravitational force on you as well.

Not a science book.

I recently picked up a copy of Rick Stroud's "The Book of the Moon" from a used bookstore and I have to say right off the bat, shame on some of you reviewers for completely missing the point of this great book.

If you turn the book over, it literally states that the book includes the "magic and mystery" of the moon. It even states, "From alchemists and witches to scientists and astronauts...Rick Stroud delves into the mythology and astrology that has inspired civilizations and cultures the world over."

There are only 3 reviews of this book on Amazon.com, two of which criticize the author for it not being a science book, or blurring the lines between science and pseudoscience.

Did the reviewers not catch the part about witches? I'm pretty sure there are plenty of science books out there on the boring stuff about the Moon that no one actually is interested in like kreep, or like how during the Nectarian Period there was heavy bombardment on the moon compared to the Copernican Period.

PS...if you never heard of kreep, it is the acronym for...wait a minute...you can Google this if you actually want to find out. So why would a reviewer on Amazon give the book 2 stars and claim that the book is "full of fiction, not facts?"

I have books on the Moon that are mainly facts, figures, and features. You can only read that stuff so many times before you say, okay, I get it...it's the moon. It's like, several shades of gray, and is all dusty and stuff, and I can't move there yet and trash it.

What if you were looking for a book about the other stuff about the moon that makes you say, wow, okay, the moon is awesome! That's when you put down Gerald North's book on the moon and pick up Rick Stroud's. Here is a quotes from this book to give you an idea as to why I am criticizing the reviewers of this book on Amazon:

"Generally, light spells should be done when the moon is waxing, darker spells when the moon is waning..."

I personally didn't know that the best time to impose vengeance, discord, and hatred is during a waning moon. There's even a section on "Rules for Spell-Making." Rule number 4 is to check moon phases...if your spells aren't working, have you been checking the moon phase?

This stuff is awesome if you're bored with reading about the diameter of the moon over and over again.

I don't think it's fair to complain about a book about the moon that has a chapter called "Medicine, Madness, Werewolves, and Science," or to complain that the book isn't factual enough...werewolves? Did you even read Chapter 7 on werewolves? It was right after the chapter on magic.

Chapter 7 even covers sharks, suicides, tides, cockroaches, and even the sea slug. This is not your typical book on the moon.

So I say cheers to Rick Stroud for gathering the most amazing collection of knowledge on the moon I've ever read. This book covers astronomers and astronauts, farming and festivals, gardening and gravity, sex and spells, weather and witches...even Zarpandit and Zoroastrianism.

According to the author in a recent email I received, the book has received a lot of great reviews. Rick even had the opportunity to interview Buzz Aldrin at the Royal Festival Hall and Buzz stated, in front of 2000 people, "there is one person who really understands the magnificent desolation of the moon, Rick Stroud, go read his book, its great."

One of the issues might be with the audience...for example on Amazon.co.uk the book is currently a 4 star book and has glowing reviews overall, so perhaps there just aren't enough reviews on this side of the pond yet.

Oh yes...and also that pesky science-type stuff about the Pre-Nectarian Period when the moon formed versus the Copernican Period is still in there. This book is now a permanent part of the Galileo Astronomy Unclub's lunar library. www.galileo-astro.com

everything you have always wanted to know about the Moon and THEN SOME. Best summary of manned missions in one source.