The Tungus Event or The Great Siberian Meteorite [Perfect Paperback]

John Engledew (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2010

What burned 830 square miles of forest and some 30 million trees on a fine summer's morning? Something exploded above Siberia in 1908 and no one is quite sure what -- or why.

This book combines a hard popular science approach and lively description of the "Tungus event", giving the reader the stories of the early expeditions, the research that has gone on over a century, and a range of possible explanations.

The Tungus Event was a major mystery of the 20th century. In a factual and informed way this book provides "on-the-ground" descriptions of the site and explains the findings and the puzzlement of international scientists who have investigated it over the decades.

After a brief and readable overview of comets, meteors, the sun and the solar system, the author ponders the range of possible explanations for the "great Siberian meteorite." The research is up to date, factual and scientific. While making no absurd claims to solving the puzzle, the author studies some intriguing clues in NASA's orbit diagrams for Comet Encke, and he is bold in discussing the possible causes of what was the greatest natural explosion in recorded history.

There are just a handful of English-language books on this subject. The most recent, The Tunguska Mystery, by the Russian writer Rubstov, 2009) is authoritative but highly technical and hard going for the general reader. Mr. Engledew instead tells the story in a balanced and engaging style.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This small volume on the Tunguska Event, the 1908 explosion of a meteorite or meteor fragment over northern Russia, brings together much of the scientifically verifiable information on the natural catastrophe to provide an overview of this unique occurrence. While most research has been published in Russian, this work provides an accessible narrative for English speaking readers on the blast which leveled 830 square miles of forests with the force of a modern atomic bomb. Engledew is the author of several articles on astronomical subjects and is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. --(Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

This book is a nonscientific account of the 1908 Tunguska event. Astronomy writer Engledew (fellow, Royal Astronomical Society) discusses the incredible amounts of time, energy and thinking that have gone into understanding and resolving a supposed meteoric impact that left no meteorite fragments. . . Summing Up: Recommended. --Choice December 2010

About the Author

John Engledew has published articles in the Journal of the British Astronomical Society and the Seattle Astronomical Society Magazine. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Algora Publishing (January 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875867804
• ISBN-13: 978-0875867809
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Comets, Meteors & Asteroids

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, February 24, 2011

By 

Elaine Dobbs - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tungus Event or The Great Siberian Meteorite (Perfect Paperback)

Well done. Whether novice or expert, Mr. Engledew provides a breath and depth of knowledge that is comprehensible and enjoyable. It was a wonderful read.

Elaine Dobbs

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Written!, January 20, 2011

By 

Jann "Persephonydoll" (WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tungus Event or The Great Siberian Meteorite (Perfect Paperback)

This was a wonderfully written book full of surprise, suspense, and mystery. I enjoyed the topic from begining to end.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, October 9, 2010

By 

Donna M. Barbrick - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tungus Event or The Great Siberian Meteorite (Perfect Paperback)

Informative and well written. I like that even with all of the scientific evidence Mr Engledew has offered, you still get to make up your own mind. Comet,meteor, or perhaps, something else? ... You decide.