The Moon [Hardcover]

Maryam Sachs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

Maryam Sach's light and witty text traces the history of our approaches to the moon, from the folkloric to the scientific.It describes the planet's habits, lists moon gods and goddesses, and covers myths and superstitions, as well as the symbolism and the gender of the moon, lunar calendars, astrology, and moon magic.

Throughout time, the moon has spoken to poets, philosophers, and astrologers, and its ever-changing image has been captured by artists from all cultures and periods. Illustrated with Renaissance frescoes, Tlingit masks, Chinese architecture, nature photography, and icons of popular culture, The Moon includes Persian court poetry, Shakespearean verse, and provocative words of wisdom from Native American tradition. Elegant and evocative, this volume of lore and legend will be treasured by all readers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; 1st edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789203413
• ISBN-13: 978-0789203410
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,139,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for the pictures; 1 star for the text., July 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moon (Hardcover)

The photographs and paintings in this book are stunning and the book is packed with them. But i felt the writing was not very good.For one thing the book seems randomly arranged--with a lot of information put in the wrong place. For instance the chapter "The sex of the moon" mostly contained folklore about the moon's gender--but then it had a whole section on eclipses which didn't relate to gender at all.another thing i didn't like was that the author had some strange oppinions for a woman writing a book of moon lore. her ideas could really alienate people who would be attracted to this book--feminists and those interested in astrology. here are two quotes from the book:"During the Golden Age of Feminism, the coordination of menstruation and the lunar cycle inspired a mass of embarrasssingly lyrical and somtimes humorless literature vaunting the privileged status of women so closely in tune with the Moon-as well as the existence of a mysterious "sistership", from which men were naturally excluded" (p82)and:"However, today we can still consult astrologers, who will still draw conclusios from the sign in which the Moon was situated at the moment of one's birth. This lets us willingly submit to our impulses, no longer looking upon ourselves as reasonable, self-determined individuals, but as beings governed by instincts and inclinations" (p 189)despite the fact that she considers belief in astrology unreasonable she goes on to list the qualities of each moon sign.you get the feeling from sachs' writing that she finds moon lore curious but she holds no reverence for the moon herself.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Perspective, March 20, 2000

By 

Elsa C. LaBaw (Burbank, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moon (Hardcover)

I always look at the moon. My mother's family was from Transylvania and my "Moon" sign is in Cancer. But, after reading the Moon, I will never look at the moon quite the same. Maryann Sachs has given me a new perspective on and appreciation for cultural mysticism and empiricism. The book is so artfully crafted it borders on the sacred.