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Recentering the Universe: The Radical Theories of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton
Book by Ron Miller
88 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Ron Miller
189 books21 followersRon Miller is an illustrator and author living in South Boston, Virginia. Before becoming a freelance illustrator in 1977, Miller was art director for the National Air & Space Museum's Albert Einstein Planetarium. Prior to this he was a commercial advertising illustrator. His primary work today entails the writing and illustration of books specializing in astronomical, astronautical and science fiction subjects. His special interest is in exciting young people about science, and in recent years has focused on writing books for young adults. To date he has more than 50 titles to his credit. His work has also appeared on scores of book jackets, book interiors and in magazines such as National Geographic, Reader's Digest, Scientific American, Smithsonian, Air & Space, Sky & Telescope, Newsweek, Natural History, Discover, Geo, etc.
Miller's books include the Hugo-nominated The Grand Tour, Cycles of Fire, In the Stream of Stars, and The History of Earth. All of have been Book-of-the-Month Club Feature Selections (as well as selections of the Science, Quality Paperback and Astronomy book clubs) and have seen numerous translations.
Considered an authority on Jules Verne, Miller translated and illustrated new, definitive editions of Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth as well as a major companion/atlas to Verne's works. He has worked as a consultant on Verne for Disney Imagineering and for A&E's Biography series.
Miller is also considered an authority on the early history of spaceflight. The Dream Machines, a comprehensive 744-page history of manned spacecraft, was nominated for the prestigious IAF Manuscript Award and won the Booklist Editor's Choice Award.
As an artist, Miller has designed a set of ten commemorative stamps for the U.S. Postal Service and has been a production illustrator for motion pictures, notably Dune and Total Recall. He has also done preproduction concepts, consultation and matte art for David Lynch, George Miller, John Ellis, UFO Films and James Cameron. He designed and co-directed the computer-generated show ride film, Impact! and has taken part in numerous international space art workshops and exhibitions, including seminal sessions held in Iceland and the Soviet Union (where he was invited by the Soviet government to take part in the 30th anniversary celebration of the launch of Sputnik). His original paintings are in numerous private and public collections, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Pushkin Museum (Moscow).
Miller's books include the Hugo-nominated The Grand Tour, Cycles of Fire, In the Stream of Stars, and The History of Earth. All of have been Book-of-the-Month Club Feature Selections (as well as selections of the Science, Quality Paperback and Astronomy book clubs) and have seen numerous translations.
Considered an authority on Jules Verne, Miller translated and illustrated new, definitive editions of Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth as well as a major companion/atlas to Verne's works. He has worked as a consultant on Verne for Disney Imagineering and for A&E's Biography series.
Miller is also considered an authority on the early history of spaceflight. The Dream Machines, a comprehensive 744-page history of manned spacecraft, was nominated for the prestigious IAF Manuscript Award and won the Booklist Editor's Choice Award.
As an artist, Miller has designed a set of ten commemorative stamps for the U.S. Postal Service and has been a production illustrator for motion pictures, notably Dune and Total Recall. He has also done preproduction concepts, consultation and matte art for David Lynch, George Miller, John Ellis, UFO Films and James Cameron. He designed and co-directed the computer-generated show ride film, Impact! and has taken part in numerous international space art workshops and exhibitions, including seminal sessions held in Iceland and the Soviet Union (where he was invited by the Soviet government to take part in the 30th anniversary celebration of the launch of Sputnik). His original paintings are in numerous private and public collections, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Pushkin Museum (Moscow).
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 6, 2014
A very brief history of cosmology. As far as middle grade nonfiction goes, this wasn't a favorite of mine. Considering how much ground had to be covered in a very short book, everything had to be really, really condensed. That would probably be just fine for the target audience, but I found myself feeling bored more than once. I was a little confused by the last chapter, about more modern geocentric theories. I have to wonder what the point was. Pointing and laughing? It was an odd addition, and I don't think it really fit with the rest of the book.
March 3, 2021
Great little science book!
February 23, 2014
I was all set to give this 4 stars but I had a rather blatant misprint jump out at me. A caption to the photo on p. 41 uses Kepler instead instead of Galileo. Since the text clearly said opposite the caption that it was Galileo, it really bothered me. Mostly besides this error I found the book quite well done. It covers the works of the 4 early greats of modern Astronomy: Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton. There was a nice little side panel that mentions other scientists who worked at about the same time as Newton and some of the discoveries they made then.
I found the emphasis on cults that still do not accept the heliocentric theory rather perplexing. The author never quite made his point clear. I assume that he was rather lamenting the persistence of scientific ignorance and how enslaved we still are to religion even when it contradicts current scientific knowledge. Or perhaps he was trying for much the opposite effect: to show how broadminded the author is in noting there is still opposition to what most scientists consider well established scientific law? That contributed to the drop to 3 stars as well.
It mostly does a very good job at explaining some of the science these people developed. I had a few problems with some of it but mostly that was my lack of scientific understanding as opposed to any lack in the author's text. Finally, considering the spectacular photos in the author's seven wonders series, I am rather appalled at the poor quality of photos used in this book. Good for the science shelves in a public library but only as supplemental material.
I found the emphasis on cults that still do not accept the heliocentric theory rather perplexing. The author never quite made his point clear. I assume that he was rather lamenting the persistence of scientific ignorance and how enslaved we still are to religion even when it contradicts current scientific knowledge. Or perhaps he was trying for much the opposite effect: to show how broadminded the author is in noting there is still opposition to what most scientists consider well established scientific law? That contributed to the drop to 3 stars as well.
It mostly does a very good job at explaining some of the science these people developed. I had a few problems with some of it but mostly that was my lack of scientific understanding as opposed to any lack in the author's text. Finally, considering the spectacular photos in the author's seven wonders series, I am rather appalled at the poor quality of photos used in this book. Good for the science shelves in a public library but only as supplemental material.
January 17, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5
This is a really interesting little book!
This is a history/science book targeted at an advanced middle school reader, but really it's the perfect book for someone like myself. As a youngster I probably wouldn't have cared for this book too much. There are a lot of names that don't roll off the tongue, and a lot of dates, and plenty of science terms that would have been tough for the younger me.
The book describes some of the early theories of earth, the sun, and the solar system. From the geocentric views of the earliest philosophers (up through the 1970's!) to the heliocentric view commonly understood today, this book covers a lot of ground in a very short time.
Although on the surface it appears to be a book about the early science of studying the cosmos, there's a strong, almost anti-religious sentiment here. Of course, in the early days of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton, the Church was the ultimate source for information about the cosmos (also known as 'the heavens'). The science that most of us understand today was radical theory and opposite of what the Church preached, so it is understandable that a book about the science of the time would reflect a great deal of conflict with church doctrine.
But it's the last chapter that has a weird feel to it.
I absolutely love the fact that I learned something in this last chapter (though truthfully, I learned something in all the chapters!) - I'd never heard of the Muggletonians or Cyrus Teed or Wilbur Glenn Voliva and, well, if I hadn't heard of any of them I wouldn't be any worse off. I understand that there's an interesting point here that science and religion are often still at odds despite the more accepted Church having come to a better understanding and acceptance of science ... but what do these more recent religious fringe elements have to do with 'recentering the universe'? It feels more like trying to poke fun at all religions by picking out a few of the more extreme fringe elements. I would have much rather seen a chapter on some of the more modern scientists (Carl Sagan? Stephen Hawking? Neil deGrasse Tyson?) than give any kind of credence to the crackpots.
Otherwise, a worthy book for students.
Looking for a good book? Recentering the Universe by Ron Miller is a wonderful abbreviated history of the struggle between science and religion when discoveries about the solar system were being made, but the book takes a tangent near the end that takes away from the value of the rest of the book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really interesting little book!
This is a history/science book targeted at an advanced middle school reader, but really it's the perfect book for someone like myself. As a youngster I probably wouldn't have cared for this book too much. There are a lot of names that don't roll off the tongue, and a lot of dates, and plenty of science terms that would have been tough for the younger me.
The book describes some of the early theories of earth, the sun, and the solar system. From the geocentric views of the earliest philosophers (up through the 1970's!) to the heliocentric view commonly understood today, this book covers a lot of ground in a very short time.
Although on the surface it appears to be a book about the early science of studying the cosmos, there's a strong, almost anti-religious sentiment here. Of course, in the early days of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton, the Church was the ultimate source for information about the cosmos (also known as 'the heavens'). The science that most of us understand today was radical theory and opposite of what the Church preached, so it is understandable that a book about the science of the time would reflect a great deal of conflict with church doctrine.
But it's the last chapter that has a weird feel to it.
I absolutely love the fact that I learned something in this last chapter (though truthfully, I learned something in all the chapters!) - I'd never heard of the Muggletonians or Cyrus Teed or Wilbur Glenn Voliva and, well, if I hadn't heard of any of them I wouldn't be any worse off. I understand that there's an interesting point here that science and religion are often still at odds despite the more accepted Church having come to a better understanding and acceptance of science ... but what do these more recent religious fringe elements have to do with 'recentering the universe'? It feels more like trying to poke fun at all religions by picking out a few of the more extreme fringe elements. I would have much rather seen a chapter on some of the more modern scientists (Carl Sagan? Stephen Hawking? Neil deGrasse Tyson?) than give any kind of credence to the crackpots.
Otherwise, a worthy book for students.
Looking for a good book? Recentering the Universe by Ron Miller is a wonderful abbreviated history of the struggle between science and religion when discoveries about the solar system were being made, but the book takes a tangent near the end that takes away from the value of the rest of the book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2019
Not a fan.
December 31, 2020
Used this as a useful enrichment for science history.
May 19, 2014
For most of human history people believed the earth was the center of the universe and the sun, planets and stars all revolved around the earth. There were many different ideas of how the universe was set up but all of them followed the Biblical teachings that the earth was the center of everything. Then came some radical thinkers who tried to reconcile what they had learned with what they observed about the universe. They couldn't get the two to match up. Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton all used science and observation to try and understand the universe. They and others like them were also persecuted by the Church and other scientists who believed the earth-centric configuration of the universe. I thought this was a very well-organized and interesting book. It was easy to follow and understand and I think it is perfect for kids starting to learn about the universe. I did think the last chapter on groups who still believe the earth is the center of the universe was a little less scientific explanation and a little more preachy, but other than that it was a great read.
April 4, 2014
From ancient times, people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, with the sun and the planets circling around us, and religious teachings supported this belief. But through the 1500s and 1600s, four men (Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton) challenged this belief. Despite a great deal of controversy and the very real risk to their reputations and even their lives, they held to what they observed.
The National Science Teachers Association calls this an “extraordinarily useful book” and SLJ agrees, stating that it is “a useful and first purchase” for reports needing information on astronomy and astronomers. This book can even be recommended to adults interested in the subject.
(Originally reviewed on mackinbooksinbloom.com)
The National Science Teachers Association calls this an “extraordinarily useful book” and SLJ agrees, stating that it is “a useful and first purchase” for reports needing information on astronomy and astronomers. This book can even be recommended to adults interested in the subject.
(Originally reviewed on mackinbooksinbloom.com)
December 19, 2014
This is an interesting brief look into the history of early cosmology and the men who risked persecution or death because of their beliefs and teachings about a heliocentric universe, when church doctrine dictated a geocentric one. I enjoyed sharing this book with my daughter but was a bit frustrated that Kepler was listed in the title as a scientist being covered, when his name was only mentioned a couple of times. Since we are learning about scientists in school this book got set aside for a lot longer than I would have after our studies of Galileo because I was waiting until it was time to cover Kepler. Perfect for middle/high school age students.
July 25, 2013
really a very interesting book about what it was like to go against the church with science that they knew was right but that might get them killed. standing up for the truth is a hard thing and seeing the great people in this book was very inspiring.
Read
November 25, 2014This book was full of INACCURATE and MISLEADING information! The author is clearly more concerned with anti-Christianity than with giving an accurate account of historical events or individuals. I do NOT recommend this book for anyone.
August 12, 2013
Reviewed professionally.
March 7, 2014
Found the sidebars distracting
May 1, 2014
This one was awesome!
Complete review on the 5/1/14 entry of my blog:
www.oplteenpicks.blogspot.com
Complete review on the 5/1/14 entry of my blog:
www.oplteenpicks.blogspot.com
January 1, 2016
A brief summary of the contributions of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton toward modern astronomy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews