Today’s Concord (N.H.) Monitor contains a thumbs-up book review of The Day the World Discovered the Sun:

“In his book, Anderson explores the personalities and politics behind the transit observation expeditions, melding history and science in a fascinating story of the first large-scale international scientific effort. …

“Anderson makes each expedition come alive; the challenges and detours, hopes and hubris. These explorers and scientists went places even modern travelers find hard to reach, from the arctic circle to the tropics, in search of perfect viewing. They knew success would be elusive. Some had failed to observe a similar event in 1761, foiled by weather or in at least one case, disappearing forever. Political and economic conditions affected the expeditions as well, and Anderson adroitly fills in these details along with the science behind the missions.

”Anderson also illuminates the post-transit drama. French astronomer Jerome Lalande was widely viewed as the authority on transit data but was affronted that Hell hadn’t sent his results immediately, so he downplayed their accuracy. English mathematician/astronomer Thomas Hornsby came close to calculating the correct distance from the earth to the sun and the relative distance of the planets. French Astronomer Royal Cesar-Francois Cassini de Thury predicted the next really useful Venus transit would be in 2012. Whether you like science or political intrigue, space or human nature, or simply want to marvel at these men’s accomplishments, Anderson delivers.”

(P.S. An earlier, shorter draft of this book review was also posted at the book blog BookConscious.)