Curiosities Of The Sky [Paperback]

Garrett P. Serviss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2004

From a historical and picturesque point of view, one of the most striking results of the motions of the stars described in the last chapter is their effect upon the forms of the constellations, which have been watched and admired by mankind from a period so early that the date of their invention is now unknown. The constellations are formed by chance combinations of conspicuous stars, like figures in a kaleidoscope, and if our lives were commensurate with the æons of cosmic existence we should perceive that the kaleidoscope of the heavens was ceaselessly turning and throwing the stars into new symmetries.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Garrett Putnam Serviss was born in 1851 in Sharon Springs, New York. He graduated from Cornell in 1872 attended Columbia Law School and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1874. He seems never to have practiced law, becoming instead a journalist, first for the New York Tribune and then for the New York Sun. For the latter paper he anonymously wrote a much-loved astronomy column for the editorial page. He was a prolific author on astronomical topics, his books including Astronomy with an Opera Glass, Astronomy with the Naked Eye, and Round the Year with the Stars. He also wrote early science fiction novels, such as The Moon Metal and A Columbus of Space. He died on May 25, 1929 in Englewood, New Jersey.

Serviss had many virtues as a popularizer of science. He kept up with the research of his day and knew many professional astronomers personally. He was an active observer and was widely traveled. Although he adhered closely to the facts when summarizing current knowledge, he was not afraid to speculate. Scientists must keep their imaginations in check, he might say, but we spectators need not be so strict. Finally, his gentle wonder at the marvels of creation, and his care and skill in sharing it with us, make him a great pleasure to read. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (June 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419114786
• ISBN-13: 978-1419114786
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,802,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Historical View of Astronomy, July 30, 2011

By 

Liz Andra Shaw "The Writing Reader" (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Curiosities of the Sky (Kindle Edition)

This book is nearly a century old, and it is fascinating reading for astronomy buffs as you can see the historical development of the science of astronomy at a time when technology like spectroscopy was just coming into use. The author presents his subject in an interesting way that any non-scientist can read and enjoy. If you are interested at all in astronomy, you'd probably enjoy this book.

8 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Curiosities of the Sky, December 4, 2009

By 

Elaine M. Ackerman "avid reader" (Upper Michigan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Curiosities of the Sky (Kindle Edition)

Downloaded to kindle fine - very interesting text - wondered if the printed version had any diagrams - none on Kindle.