Customer Reviews

The Crystal Sun

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Robert Temple's book is a stiletto in the side of modern, self-righteous "science" which only sees ancient knowledge as primitive fantasy.

Temple shows that there are hundreds of crystal lenses in museums around the world, which have been labelled as mere "ornaments," or such baubles. The emperor Nero wore an emerald lens to see gladiator fights, to aid his faulty vision. Such lenses could certainly have provided deeper views of the heavens than today's scientists allow for.

But beyond the mere existence of these lenses, Temple delves into the Pythagorean notion that the Sun itself is but a reflection (or refraction) of a larger Central Fire, at the core of the Universe.

With today's knowledge of the Galactic Center, which houses a humongous Black Hole, such a notion hints that the Ancients may indeed have known much more about cosmology than we have given them credit for.

What is the challenge I refer to you ask? I am glad you did:). It involves writing a relatively lengthy tome on eyepieces, i.e. relracting/reflecting lenses, telescopes etc, without putting your audience to sleep.
Admittedly I picked up this book due to a fascinating little blurb on the front and back cover. As I started reading it I worried, "Oh no what have I gotten myself into?"
Well the answer to that rhetorical question relates to Temple's meeting and surpassing his challenge.
The first few chapters focus almost exclusively on the Lanyard lens, an ancient lens much ado has revolved around in certain (reluctantly describe it as geeky) circles. Temple then tracks the science of lenscraft from ancient times to present. Along the way to keep his book from becoming as dry as the Sahara he digresses on historical topics and scientific biographies of lumenaries such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and others.

One of the most impressive aspects to this work for me a layperson with limited interest in subject matter were the endnotes following each chapter, themselves interesting and complete. These notes are a reflection (pun intended) on how commited Temple was to this project and in my eyes he met with much success.

I am enjoying reading this book and am amazed at the depth of research that went into this book.