Kindle
$16.19
Available instantly
Paperback
$28.81
Kindle Price: $16.19

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Duane Hamacher
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The First Astronomers: How Indigenous Elders read the stars Kindle Edition

by Duane Hamacher (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
See all formats and editions
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
The First Astronomers is the first book to reveal the rich knowledge of the stars and the planets held by First Peoples around the world.

Our eyes have been drawn away from the skies to our screens. We no longer look to the stars to forecast the weather, predict the seasons or plant our gardens. Most of us cannot even see the Milky Way. But First Nations Elders around the world still maintain this knowledge, and there is much we can learn from them.

These Elders are expert observers of the stars. They teach that everything on the land is reflected in the sky, and everything in the sky is reflected on the land. How does this work, and how can we better understand our place in the universe?

Guided by six First Nations Elders, Duane Hamacher takes us on a journey across space and time to reveal the wisdom of the first astronomers. These living systems of knowledge challenge conventional ideas about the nature of science and the longevity of oral tradition. Indigenous science is dynamic, adapting to changes in the skies and on Earth, pointing the way for a world facing the profound disruptions of climate change.

'This book marks a profound paradigm shift in our understanding of Indigenous scientific traditions, how they are transmitted, and their relevance to life today.' - Professor Marcia Langton, University of Melbourne

'A ground-breaking book of enormous scope.' - Brian Schmidt, Nobel Laureate in Physics

'A glimpse into Indigenous ways of reading landscapes reflected in the night sky through ancient processes of inquiry.' - Dr Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk

'A wonderful combination of scholarship and poetry.' - Dr Annette S. Lee, Lakota astrophysicist

'Beautiful, engaging, and startlingly profound.' - Alan Duffy, Professor of Astrophysics
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    344 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Allen & Unwin
  5. Publication date
    March 1, 2022
  6. File size
    17696 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Challenges Western notions of science as the only true measure of reality and truth. It treats Indigenous astronomy - and, by extension, Indigenous culture more broadly - not as an anthropological curiosity, but as a sophisticated and living body of knowledge that contains within it a radically different idea of human beings' place within nature."  The Australian

About the Author

Duane Hamacher is Associate Professor of Cultural Astronomy in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. He earned graduate degrees in astrophysics and the social sciences and has appeared on TEDx, The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, and many other high profile local and international programs. He serves as an expert consultant for UNESCO and works for Indigenous elders in the Torres Strait and around the world to document traditional star knowledge for educational programs and public understanding.

For more details about the Elders and Knowledge Holders www.thefirstastronomers.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MQ4QYSN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allen & Unwin (March 1, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 17696 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 344 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Duane Hamacher

Duane Hamacher

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Duane Hamacher is Associate Professor of Cultural Astronomy in the ASTRO-3D Centre of Excellence and the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He is an interdisciplinary scholar with degrees in the physical and social sciences whose work focuses on astronomy in a cultural, social, and historical context, as well as dark sky studies, apocalyptic studies, and the history and philosophy of science. He is currently on sabbatical as a CAPAS Fellow in the Kate Hamburger Centre for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies at Heidelberg University in Germany.

Duane is a TEDx speaker and appeared on documentaries with Morgan Freeman, Warwick Thornton, and Werner Herzog. He wrote the book "The First Astronomers: how Indigenous Elders read the stars" with Elders and Knowledge Holders.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
49 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

P. Lieverdink
5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening experience
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
This unusually attractive author keeps writing interesting and engaging books. I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Helpful
 Report
I Lawler
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book that explores astronomy's deepest roots !
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
So much of the history of astronomy focuses on Western Europe. This book finally takes us to the very roots of astronomy - the world's oldest science. Within these pages, you'll learn things that will astound you and broaden your academic horizons !
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Nikki Bear
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in Australia on June 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great perspective on the topic
Report
Louelle18
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read.
Reviewed in Australia on November 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
I’ve always been interested in how our First Nations people interpret the solar system. This book was very informative and a great read. Highly recommend .
One person found this helpful
 Report
Carlos Alberto (Beto) Boton
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Reviewed in Australia on October 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
Having lived and worked in remote communities of Australia, I came to appreciate the knowledge of the first people of Australia. This book is a great contribution to the wider society and desmistify the idea that there was no scientific knowledge to be considered on the "stories" of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. THANK YOU - wonderful book
One person found this helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A great and educational read
Reviewed in Australia on July 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book opened my eyes and I wish I had have read it years ago. I would love to see a documentary made with this content.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Dr. Owen G. Roberts
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in Australia on November 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
Not well written and failed to capture my interest
Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report