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sleepingnerd's review against another edition
5.0
As a teenager, enamored by the beauty of the stars and the mysteries of the universe, I decided I would be an astronomer. I even took a course on it and got a silver medal in OBA, the Brazilian astronomy olympiad. However, this dream was soon crushed when I discovered how much of an astronomer's time is spent doing math and running calculations and programs, and how little of it is dedicated to learning cool facts about space and observing the night sky. Moreover, my affinity to math and physics is... lacking, at best. So I mostly kept it as a side interest that faded with time.
This book? It's the astronomy I pictured, all beauty and history and poetry. I can't imagine how much 16 year old me would have loved to read this. It mixes science with poetry and myth, taking us in a tour of each planet to tell about it's discovery, naming and interesting aspects of it.
The writing is accessible and quite beautiful, and I loved to learn more about not only the planets but the history of astronomy through the different discoveries. This book really charmed me, and it never felt boring or flat, which I think it's quite a feat, since I'm not so used to reading non fiction in my free time. The beauty and mystery of the universe mixed with our own human drive to make everything into poetry is perfectly captured here.
Since it was written in 2006, not all of the information is up to date (how delightful it was to read her say Pluto is so far only a distant smudge, when now I know it's beauty and details, and the heart in it!). However, that didn't detract much from the experience. I really loved this.
This book? It's the astronomy I pictured, all beauty and history and poetry. I can't imagine how much 16 year old me would have loved to read this. It mixes science with poetry and myth, taking us in a tour of each planet to tell about it's discovery, naming and interesting aspects of it.
The writing is accessible and quite beautiful, and I loved to learn more about not only the planets but the history of astronomy through the different discoveries. This book really charmed me, and it never felt boring or flat, which I think it's quite a feat, since I'm not so used to reading non fiction in my free time. The beauty and mystery of the universe mixed with our own human drive to make everything into poetry is perfectly captured here.
Since it was written in 2006, not all of the information is up to date (how delightful it was to read her say Pluto is so far only a distant smudge, when now I know it's beauty and details, and the heart in it!). However, that didn't detract much from the experience. I really loved this.
rampaginglibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I just can't seem to stay away from those solar system books and this week's pick is The Planets by Dava Sobel (she of Longitude and Galileo's Daughter fame). Sobel writes in a lyrical style somewhat similar to Diane Ackerman (one of my favorite authors--who Sobel in her infinite wisdom quotes in her preface, further endearing herself to me), she makes her scientific subject sound like poetry. She has NOT resigned herself to mere boring descriptions of each planet but has given each its own individual flavour beginning with the designation by chapter title: the overview is called Model Worlds; the sun, Genesis; Mercury, Mythology; Venus, Beauty; Earth, Geography; the moon, Lunacy; Mars Sci-Fi; Jupiter, Astrology; Saturn, Music of the Spheres; Uranus and Neptune, Night Air; Pluto, UFO; and the Coda is Planeteers, each chapter is a complete little tale in and of itself, told in its own voice (the one about Mars even told in the voice of the sixteen million year old Martian meteorite found in the Antarctic ice fields--if i make it sound silly it is only my own ineptitude not the book itself.) My favorite little discovery from this book? The life-span of William Herschel (the astronomer who discovered Uranus) was exactly equal to Uranus' orbital period of 83.7 years (which of course he didn't live quite long enough to figure out!). Anyway--i loved this book informative in a lovely way!
...And if i may bring up the subject, yet again, there is still a bit of debate on just how many planets (and just how to define a planet anyway) there are.
http://talesofarampaginglibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/11/take-poetic-tour-of-solar-system.html
...And if i may bring up the subject, yet again, there is still a bit of debate on just how many planets (and just how to define a planet anyway) there are.
http://talesofarampaginglibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/11/take-poetic-tour-of-solar-system.html
jkpiowa's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
Some good and interesting information, unfortunately it is surrounded by astrology nonsense for half the book. I don't want astrology in my scientific book about the solar system. A bit dated as well.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
"The Planets" is a tribute to the planets of the solar system, plus the Sun, by acclaimed science writer Dava Sobel. Each planet is given its own chapter(*) and its own stylistic device. For instance, Mercury's section emphasizes mythology and Jupiter's section emphasizes astrology. My two favorites are the chapter on Mars, charmingly presented as if narrated by a Mars rock that made it to Earth, and the chapter on Uranus and Neptune, presented as a letter from Caroline Herschel to Maria Mitchell.
Scientific fact is interlaced with science history and the broader human impact of the planets. The chapter on Venus even includes poetry by Tennyson, Frost, Diane Ackerman, and others. There are also a dozen lovely color illustrations by Lynette R. Cook.
I note that I found the biblical slant given to the Sun somewhat offputting. And while mention is made of other traditions, the emphasis is heavily Western / Greco-Roman. I would have liked one or more chapters that centered on Babylonian or Chinese or Mayan astronomy. But these are mere gripes. By and large, Sobel succeeds in her aim, expressed near the book's end, to help readers "befriend the planets."
Three and a half out of five friendly stars.
(*) Except that Uranus and Neptune are parceled together.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Scientific fact is interlaced with science history and the broader human impact of the planets. The chapter on Venus even includes poetry by Tennyson, Frost, Diane Ackerman, and others. There are also a dozen lovely color illustrations by Lynette R. Cook.
I note that I found the biblical slant given to the Sun somewhat offputting. And while mention is made of other traditions, the emphasis is heavily Western / Greco-Roman. I would have liked one or more chapters that centered on Babylonian or Chinese or Mayan astronomy. But these are mere gripes. By and large, Sobel succeeds in her aim, expressed near the book's end, to help readers "befriend the planets."
Three and a half out of five friendly stars.
(*) Except that Uranus and Neptune are parceled together.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
xoshea's review against another edition
Well, I tried. But, sadly, I have decided to give up despite the fact that I have advanced no further than Mars in this book about the planets.
rachelleahdorn's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Some interesting interspersed with some dry and dull, I learned stuff I didn’t know/remember, but I’m not anxious for more
alexrobinsonsupergenius's review against another edition
4.0
Very good overview of our solar system, marred only by including way too much astrology.
ketchikrista's review against another edition
4.0
This book was interestingly done. Not completely what I was expecting. It was very factual but with a unique voice and perspective.