Stonehenge: A New Interpretation of Prehistoric Man and the Cosmos

by John North

The product of more than fifteen years of research, a wide-ranging, ground-breaking study of the Stonehenge monument argues that the stones were designed as maps of the heavens and offers original conclusions about prehistoric life and religion. 12,500 first printing.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science

656 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

John David North, FBA (19 May 1934 – 31 October 2008) was an historian of science, whose speciality was the history of astronomy and cosmology, publishing strikingly original interpretations of Chaucer, Holbein and Richard of Wallingford as well as numerous works on archaeology, literature and art. He was appointed Librarian and Assistant Curator at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, 1968-77, and served as Professor of History of Philosophy and the Exact Sciences at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, 1977-1999.

Reviews

[Cary Kostka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite the in depth read. Very fascinating and informative, but note that this will be only for those interested in the Stonehenge monument in very granular detail.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thi was a major work on angles and post hole depths, ect about not only Stonehenge but other neolithic structures in Britain. Unfortonatwely a little too deep for me, but I enjoyed the discussions about potential religious beliefs drawn from the monuments with the undertanding that we can never really know exactly whagt they believed.

[Zjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive analysis of the building of Stonehenge. Has researched all the theories and has looked at the mountain of information. Explains the astronomical orientations and purposes of the various stones.