Customer Reviews

Solar System Astronomy in America: Communities, Patronage, and Interdisciplinary Science, 1920-1960

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This is a densely written account of the development of solar system science in the US in the early 20th century. If you're a science historian, this is an excellent reference, as it is stuffed full of names, dates and detailed references. For example, it provides a blow-by-blow (almost literally!) account of the bitter dispute between Urey and Kuiper over hot vs cold moon theories. It also provides some information on the rift between US and UK scientists.

If you're looking for a book on solar system astronomy that explains what we think we know about our celestial backyard however, look elsewhere. This is a book of record, placing people, theories and dates down on paper for posterity. It can be a bit frustrating to read if you're not already intimately familiar with the players, as there are dozens of names to remember and lots of academic minutia.

Bottom line: a good book for academics and students, not recommended for the layman or general interest reader.