Setting Sail for the Universe: Astronomers and their discoveries by Donald Fernie, Rutgers University Press, $25, ISBN 0813530881 Reviewed by Roy Herbert
SIMPLY, this is an irresistible book. If you don鈥檛 want to get hooked, put it down right now and do something else. Details first. This is a collection of articles about the history of astronomy first published in the magazine American 杏吧原创, updated where necessary.
They seethe with more adventure than is usually contained in a thriller of this kind. And the adventure is laced with amazing endurance, optimism, comedy and there鈥檚 even a touch of Edward Lear for good measure.
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Here are the stories of the Great Moon Hoax (observe the buffaloes and winged humans) sea captain of a mutinous crew, possible spy and alleged pirate and Joseph Horrocks, who might have been as remarkable as Newton. But all the articles, written in urbane style and full of wit, are fascinating. Astronomy is a racy tale behind the scenes and Donald Fernie is the ideal raconteur.