Probing the depths of science and faith, scientist Chet Raymo investigates the mysteries of human spirituality and meaning contained in astronomy. Ranging through the stars and the myths humans have told about them for millennia, Raymo delves into “a pilgrimage in quest of the soul of the night.” Chet Raymo’s elegant essays link the mysterious phenomena of the night sky with the human mind and spirit, as he ranges through the realms of mythology, literature, religion, history, and anthropology. Originally published two decades ago, The Soul of the Night is a classic work that is a must for those interested in the relationship between science and faith.
--This text refers to an alternate
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Originally published in 1985, astronomer Raymo's essays on the night sky explore the links between faith and reason.
Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
Chet Raymo’s book is for anyone who loves the music of words, the melodies of physics and the lyrics of a far-ranging and ingenious mind. Chet Raymo is one of my favorite writers for his wealth of imagery and the sheer pleasure of the writing (Ann Zwinger )
Fascinating information about astronomy and . . . cosmology. . . . An attractive and informative backdrop for stargazing. (New York Times Book Review )
Poised between poetry and physics, faith and reason, Raymo turns out beautifully written essays in a style somewhere between Loren Eiseley and Lewis Thomas. He ponders the science of the galaxies. He ties microcosm to macrocosm, moving from a red-winged blackbird to a quasar seen through a back yard telescope. (Publishers Weekly ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Fascinating information about astronomy and . . . cosmology. . . . An attractive and informative backdrop for stargazing. (New York Times Book Review )
Poised between poetry and physics, faith and reason, Raymo turns out beautifully written essays in a style somewhere between Loren Eiseley and Lewis Thomas. He ponders the science of the galaxies. He ties microcosm to macrocosm, moving from a red-winged blackbird to a quasar seen through a back yard telescope. (Publishers Weekly ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Spoul of the Night,
This review is from: The Soul of the Night: An Astronomical Pilgrimage (A Ruminator Find) (Paperback)
This book requires a certain level of knowledge. Knowledge about astronomy, e.g. star constellations and star names, about chemistry, e.g. atomic structures, and about biology. Further more, a spiritual sense for nature and existence combined with a questioning but open mind should be part of the reader's characteristics. If you have all this, you will love to explore this book, just like me. You will find questions you are asking yourself, too, as well as new hints and new perspectives to look at "things" written in an almost poetic language. And, that's the best, you learn. Even though theories about quarks or the beginning of the universe and our existence are hard to understand, you will get an idea about it all with this book. Theory is presented in an easy to read way and written in a wonderful descriptional language using parabels and comparisons to create pictures in your mind. I am already halfway through and I do not want this book to end. It is going to be one of my very favorite books.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intrinsic Radiance,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Soul of the Night: An Astronomical Pilgrimage (A Ruminator Find) (Paperback)
A remarkable book written by a remarkable man. Not often have I come across a book that speaks of an utter enchantment with the stars, and so accurately tells of the grace inherent in them. I, too, am an astronomer, and am often at a loss for words for a description of the beauty that I try to relate to friends and, indeed, to myself. Chet Raymo's work is pure poetry, containing the symmetry of a love-affair with science and the acknowledgement of the unknown. From "Snakes and Ladders" to "The Blandishments of Color", he guides you through the convoluted terrain of the night sky. Delirious with his sublime prose, I can only finish by saying this- Read This Book. It ought to be required reading for every survey class in astronomy, and will be well-loved by anyone enthralled by the stars.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing,
By Reese Code (Michigan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Soul of the Night: An Astronomical Pilgrimage (A Ruminator Find) (Paperback)
I read this book for a college course on Ecocriticism and was totally spellbound. I read it in one sitting and it made me crave for that feeling you get while standing under the stars--realizing how small you are--and how infinetly wonderous at the same time. Everybody should read this book, it is beautiful and important for understanding humankind's place within nature.
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