The Planets: A Cosmic Pastoral [Poems]

by Diane Ackerman

Scientifically accurate poems on the planets, moons, and asteroids of our solar system and the stars beyond evoke earthbound responses to those bodies, discoveries concerning them, and journeys to them

Genres: Poetry, Science

159 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1976

About the author

Diane Ackerman has been the finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction in addition to many other awards and recognitions for her work, which include the bestsellers The Zookeeper’s Wife and A Natural History of the Senses.

The Zookeeper’s Wife, a little known true story of WWII, became a New York Times bestseller, and received the Orion Book Award, which honored it as, "a groundbreaking work of nonfiction." A movie of The Zookeeper’s Wife, starring Jessica Chastain and Daniel Brühl, releases in theaters March 31st, 2017 from Focus Features.

She lives with her husband Paul West in Ithaca, New York.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. Going to read it again alongside the Notes section in the back.

[Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on poetry; a collection of poems about the Solar System, especially the planets. Ackerman has a gift for translating the science of astronomy to more poetic terms, has some beautiful turns of phrase, and makes some surprising observations and comparisons. Also included is a poetic play, “Uranus” starring Isaac Newton, William Herschel, Edmond Halley, et al, very clever. I may have to put this one on my real-world bookshelf if it's not too difficult to acquire.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a very early copy, marked up in green ink (possibly hers?) - She worked with Carl Sagan on these poems to keep the science as true as her artistry.
Amazing!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed and grateful my local library had a copy in the reference section for me to read because I couldn’t find it anywhere else for less than $800.

Loved the scientific fact that supported this poetry-first collection that trailed through our solar system, planet by planet. The journey of the book as a whole lent itself well to the way we view the planets, their order, what we knew about them in 1975 when this was published… I particular found the transition from Mercury and Venus to Earth quite grounding, literally, as Ackerman brings the reader home with her words, then flings us out again into space. The ending, Pluto, was particularly beautiful and devastating.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't decide on a rating for this book. Either it is a less than 1 star because it did not move me the way Mary Oliver or Wendell Berry can; or it is a 5 because it is so unique and imaginative! It was written in the 70's when I was born, and I think scientists were just beginning to find out info about our solar system. So that must have been so exciting, to think of planets and possibilities, and her poems show a fantastic imagination. She is one of my favorite authors, her naturalist eye is sharp and funny, but I just can't get into her poetry...

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this expecting magic and was disappointed in finding mere admiration. I wanted the planets to feel alive of their own accord, not by the breath of their teller.

Ackerman's writing is exquisite and imaginative. You will certainly feel the depth of wonder and energy that went into these poems, but sadly they do not emit that same life.

[Kay Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read poem books. It was OK.