Comets, Popular Culture, and the Birth of Modern Cosmology (Paperback)

~ (Author) "CHANGES in weather and affairs of state-comets have imported these since ancient times..." (more)
Key Phrases: comet lore, cometary portents, nature des cometes, Royal Society, Astronomy Museum, Courtesy of Adler Planetarium (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Every now and again a scholar comes along who successively maps out a novel idea, and does so in a compelling way. This well-written book is assuredly one such occasion and I recommend it to every scholar, no matter what their discipline. -- Review

[A] well-written book... I recommend it to every scholar, no matter what their discipline. -- Noel Grey, The European Legacy

Review

Comet literature is extensive but, to the best of my knowledge no previous work has quite the grasp of this one. There are some books dealing with restricted subjects that seem certain to become standard references for many years to come. This is one, and it should be in every serious scientific library.
(Patrick Moore The Times Higher Education Supplement )

A work of serious scholarship that is rich in fascinating material.... Judiciously selected quotations and fifty three illustrations, some exceptionally striking, add to the pleasure of reading this very engaging story, which is filled with surprises, ironies, and fresh insights.
(Michael J. Crowe Physics Today )

Beautifully illustrated, full of fascinating quotations, and blessed with 126 pages of notes and references. I enjoyed it immensely.
(David W. Hughes Observatory )

[This book] is accurate, comprehensive, and should make an important contribution to the history of astronomy.
(Donald Yeomans Sky & Telescope )

This book is not a general history of comets. . . . [T]he author is concerned primarily with the perception of comets throughout history. It is a scholarly well-illustrated and accurate work. . . . [T]he author does a fine job.
(Donald Yeomans Nature )

Every now and again a scholar comes along who successively maps out a novel idea, and does so in a compelling way. This well-written book is assuredly one such occasion and I recommend it to every scholar, no matter what their discipline.
(Noel Grey The European Legacy )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (September 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691009252
• ISBN-13: 978-0691009254
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,273,674 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)