Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets

by Tyler Nordgren

One of Amazon's Best Science Books of 2016
An astronomer traces the natural history of solar eclipses from supernatural to scientific phenomenon, showing us a more wonderful way to look up at the sky

On August 21, 2017, more than ten million Americans will experience an awe-inspiring the first total eclipse of the sun in America in almost forty years. In Sun Moon Earth, astronomer Tyler Nordgren illustrates how this most seemingly unnatural of natural phenomena was transformed from a fearsome omen to a tourist attraction. From the astrologers of ancient China and Babylon to the high priests of the Maya, Sun Moon Earth takes us around the world to show how different cultures interpreted these dramatic events. Greek philosophers discovered eclipses' cause and used them to measure their world and the cosmos beyond. Victorian-era scientists mounted eclipse expeditions during the age of globe-spanning empires. And modern-day physicists continue to use eclipses to confirm Einstein's theory of relativity.
Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, Sun Moon Earth is the ideal guide for all eclipse watchers and star gazers alike.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History, Astronomy, Nature, Space, History Of Science

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2016

About the author

Tyler Nordgren is a Full Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Redlands. While earning his PhD in astronomy at Cornell University, Dr. Nordgren has used modern observatories around the world as part of his research. Dr. Nordgren has written peer-reviewed articles on subjects ranging from dark matter in galaxies to the pulsation of stars that are the foundation of our understanding of the size and age of the Universe. In 2004, NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers landed on Mars carrying sundials, or “Marsdials” on board which Dr. Nordgren helped design with a team of seven other scientists and artists. A third Marsdial that Dr. Nordgren helped design is onboard NASA’s newest rover, Curiosity, scheduled for an August 2012 landing on Mars. Over the last two decades he has seen the steady spread of urban lighting that shines up into the sky to ultimately shrink the scale of the universe observable to the vast majority of people on Earth. Since 2005, he has worked with the U.S. National Park Service to promote astronomy education in U.S. national parks where the public still has a chance to see a natural nocturnal landscape that includes an unobstructed view of the Universe beyond our own atmosphere. Dr. Nordgren has helped document this vanishing landscape with award-winning night sky photography that has been on display in galleries from New York City to Flagstaff, Arizona and is on display in a number of national parks. In addition, Dr. Nordgren has also developed a popular poster campaign in conjunction with the National Park Service to “See the Milky Way” in America’s parks where “Half the park is after dark.” In 2010 his book "Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks" was published as a way to spread the message of the importance of protecting the night sky. This interdisciplinary look at the intersection of the night sky, geology, art, history, exploration and environmental conservation and America’s national parks was funded by The Planetary Society, the non-profit space advocacy organization founded by the late Carl Sagan. In 2011 Dr. Nordgren was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) the premier organization dedicated to protecting and preserving dark starry skies around the world. Dr. Nordgren now regularly tours the national parks giving talks to visitors and rangers alike educating both on the beauty of the night sky and how our national parks open a window on the Universe beyond.

Reviews

[Melindam]

I am deliberately avoiding giving this book a rating.

IMHO, Audible should have done itself and its listeners a favour and chose another narrator.

Talking about a lecturer killing their exciting subjects by presenting them in the most boring way imaginable.

Tyler Nordgren, astronomer, the author of the book, is the narrator as well.

He just droned on and on with terrible monotony, draining the subject dry mercilessly. I had to make an effort to stay awake and no matter how hard I tried to concetrate on the subject, on the facts he was presenting, my attention slipped constantly.

The only reason I finished was because this was for a reading challenge and it was short.

[Grumpus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bucket list pre-read as I ready myself for my five hour drive south to Makanda, IL on August 21, 2017 to see the total eclipse of the sun! This is a bucket list item because the last total solar eclipse that crossed the United States along a similar path was June 8, 1918. If I miss this one, I’ll have to wait until 2024 to see the next in one in the US. Strangely, in almost the same place; very unusual as most places on Earth see totality every 375 years on average.

This was a great primer for everyone. Whether you are into astronomy (like me) or not, there is much information about history, science, observation, and future of eclipses all written in layman’s language.

When you think about it, total solar eclipses that we are able to view on Earth are the result of many fortuitous factors. “Of all the planets, only the Earth has a moon just the right size and distance to barely cover the Sun.” If any of these variables changed, the perfection of seeing just the corona of the sun would be impossible. In fact, time is also an issue. The moon is moving away from earth about 3.8 cm each year resulting in a slowing of the Earth’s rotation. A day will come when the Earth has slowed so much that it will turn at the same rate as the moon and a day on Earth will be as long a month. When that happens, the moon will be too far away for eclipses as we know them to occur. So get out there and see an eclipse with me as we have only 563 million years left to view them.

If you want to see how near you are (in the US) to the path of totality. Check out this link:

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/...

Praying for clear skies!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for the Great American Eclipse of 2017. There is a lot of fascinating and amazing information here. August 21st is going to be the event of a lifetime!

[Edward Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at eclipses and how they tie into the history of science. Although a little bit oriented towards the 2017 eclipse which already passed, this only takes a few pages of this otherwise excellent introduction to one of the phenomenon which makes our world special. Most of all, it is evident that the author is passionate about this subject and that comes through in the text.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little comfort read. It made me even more determined to be in the path of totality for the eclipse happening in 2024.

[Lauren Schnoebelen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Written by a man who has dedicated a large portion of his life to chasing the next eclipse, the author takes you on a journey through the history of solar eclipses and the role they play in society. I loved the comments on the connections between these events and religion as well as the timeline of how science and society started observing and tracking these events. The one of the most interesting part for me was probably the role solar eclipses play in the tourism industry and how droves of peoples will travel to experience these events. I really appreciated the end of the book where the author provides a wide variety of detail to help the reader enjoy an eclipse the next time they have the opportunity to be in the path of one. Definitely my favorite area of science but I enjoyed it none the less.

[Hayley]

My undergrad was wasted on my youth. I took astronomy, but I feel like I wasn't prepared to learn it; whether it was because my brain wasn't fully formed or because I just was too scatter-brained alone. This book blew my mind. There are so many things I was probably taught that I totally missed, but if they were never taught, they should have been.
We live in an incredible place in an incredible time.

[Claire Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book on a topic I don't care much about and can't seem to wrap my head around, it was good. However, it was not good as an audiobook. The author read it himself and did a fine job, but diagrams go a long way in describing astronomical movement.

[nickflick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for Me. But i Would say if i was much more invested in eclipse’s then this book I would have liked more. But it took me 2 years to read this book sadly.😕🌒

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read before the solar eclipse yesterday. Even though it's supposed to be written for the non scientist, or at least I assume as much, I had to reread more than one paragraph because of the pain of too many neurons firing in my brain. Some of the subject matter dealt deep into Sheldon (from Big Bang) Theory or that super easy subject called Astrophysics. But still, I must agree with the author, that standing in the moons shadow as it completely blocks out the sun is one of the coolest most fantastic things I've ever seen in my life. I too am now a fanatic and have only one question left, when can I see another one??

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book for anyone, especially those interested in the history and beauty of the most amazing natural phenomenon in the world, a Total Solar Eclipse.

Unfortunately the author did dip into criticizing creationism, which is typical of any "esoteric scientist" thinking their depth of understanding has evolved to an accepted pinnacle of thinking like his or her colleagues. Which doesn't seem all that uniquely evolved to me. I'll just say it's pretty narrow minded nonsense to push every God based believer into a Box and impose his own imagining's of how they think or how they could possibly make peace with and understand Gods hand in hard science. Quite unscientific of him, IMHO.

I believe He is the Greatest Scientist. To paraphrase this book, (that Gods touch was) the catalyst that caused matter unorganized to organize itself into glorious worlds, Solar systems and galaxies.

As a lover of history and any earth science, be it about endotherms or ectotherm's, flora or fauna, astronomy or entomology, oceanography or geology, while studying Einsteins theories or ancient Mayan glyphs, admiring the monks pains taking copying of soon to be destroyed illustrations, recording precious few well preserved codexes, or serious voiced scientists explaining the Big Bang Theory, science and religious theology work for me.

I love knowing Stars were named by ancient Arabs. Today that same word is casually used and helps us understand where to turn our telescopes and find distant stunning diamonds in the sky or see into the core of a billion stars clustered across a light year.

It's still difficult for me to wrap my head around how an 8 star system works when we orbit only one mid-aged and mid-sized star. It's mind boggling to think this is all in perfect balance, each object in its place, and each affected by the tugs and pulls of gravitational waves or intensely dense black holes. I love all and the majesty of this little blue marble, and knowing my place in it and only firms my inner core belief of my purpose and knowledge that I belong here.

What's fascinating is this wonderful book, Sun, Moon and Earth reaches out to touch pretty much all the topics I've listed above in either a minuete way, or with extensive research dedicated to it. In theory or through fascinating historical accounts about how ancient people reacted to Solar and Lunar Eclipses. Or tenderly written and a way I felt emotionally connected to the quiet contemplative soul bearing about precious moments of a Total Solar Eclipse. It is an event only experienced inside our solar system and on this lovely planet we call home. How cool is that.

These song lyrics are for me: read there if you like, but i thin my heart.
Names
(Cherie Call)

He's been known throughout time by so many names
Creator of worlds and the ruler of all
And I do not disagree with the ones I have heard
Like The First and The Last, and Wonderful
Eternal and Endless, Provider and King,
And His Majesty
But when I think of the hundreds of prayers that I've prayed
There are so many more that I'd add to these, like

Mathematician, Concert Musician, Master Physician
and Listening Friend
Who knows all about cars, and my fragile heart
So the best name would still have to be
Heavenly Father

When I'm helping a friend He has sharpened my mind
When I've asked that my lips could say all the right things
He can part the Red Sea and still keep me from shaking
When I've prayed that my hands could hit all the right strings
He has always been there to handle the big things
But He can still find a way
To help me with tricky equations and dark twisty highways
And children with fevers
I know I can pray to the

Mathematician, Concert Musician, Master Physician
and Listening Friend
Who knows all about cars, and my fragile heart
So the best name would still have to be
Heavenly Father

And isn't it just what a father would do
Helping His children with all that He knew
And then using His wisdom to step back sometimes
On some of the answers we're just meant to find for ourselves

So we can be mathematicians, concert musicians,
Mothers, physicians, and listening friends
And we can learn about cars, and we can heal broken hearts
With the love that we've learned first hand
From a Heavenly Father

Copyright 2002 Cherie Call, all rights reserved

[Lin F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I noticed there were a number of lower ratings and I'll address a couple of the most frequent complaints I read about.

Poor audio narration: I didn't listen to the book on audio, I read a print copy. It would have been very inconvenient to use audio as the book has numerous diagrams, photographs, and tables. I recommend that you read it, not listen.

Misleading subtitle: I agree with this. The book does contain "doom" as the subtitle mentions, but not a lot, if that's what you're looking for. The book also contains history, and it is very interesting. But what the subtitle doesn't correctly convey is how much science is in the book. Newton's and Kepler's Laws, emission spectra, life cycle of stars, geometry of eclipses, theories on the formation of the moon, nuclear fusion, lunar eclipses, and more- it's all in here. I teach astronomy as a middle school science teacher and while most of this was familiar to me, I still learned things from this book. Nordgren does a great job of writing and explaining things for the layperson, so don't be discouraged by the science.

I traveled to Idaho for the total solar eclipse in 2017 and I'll travel to Texas in April 2024 for the next one in the U.S. The author is correct that once you've seen one, you will want to see another! If you're an eclipse chaser or want to be prepared for one that's coming to your area, this book is the right choice.

[Adrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book because I was thoroughly theming everything for the upcoming Great American Eclipse related roadtrip, like you do, and was checking out the WPA style posters of Tyler Nordgren http://www.tylernordgren.com/2017-gre... when I found out he's quite an accomplished person. It was easy to read and fascinating going into all sorts of aspects of the sun (not just eclipses), like how helium was discovered.

[Katherine Relf-canas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book only after viewing the eclipse in the parking lot of the Canada College campus. Ideally, we would have gone further north but our daughter had started 11th grade and was not able to easily take time out. After I dropped her off at school, I decided to park since there were quite a few people stationed on the hill, wearing the tell-tale viewing devices. I had nothing with which to shield my eyes; I was people watching more than stargazing. I thought it might be too forward to ask someone if I could borrow their viewing devices, but then unexpectedly, a fellow near me turned and offered his improvised device. I mentioned that I didn't know if it was adequate shielding to which he replied that I didn't need to worry. He handed me two pair of glasses one on top of the other and two loose lenses that I clumsily forgot to take by the edges. The lenses were a smoky brown. Wow! Wow! There was the shape that you had to 'see' to believe. My trust in the safety of the lenses then got a boost as I learned that the guy was a Stanford Fellow in the Neuroscience department who was studying how the brain processes visual stimuli. I had lucked into this chance encounter with an academic. Before I left the parking lot, I also spoke with a Spanish fellow who lent me his viewing device, which was the standard pair of glasses that were being made available to the public who wanted to attend various science museums. We chatted about how the experience of viewing an eclipse was no doubt drawing many strangers together--all across its path--all across America. Then, we somehow got on the topic of tapas bars in Spain. The tapas restaurants there can be clustered together--one does not just stay in one spot. One wanders from one local joint to the next, having a small bite here then another small bite at the bar next door and so forth. 'It ties the community together, doesn't it?' I asked. He agreed. I missed a star party at the Presidio in San Francisco last week, but instead of being there, I found myself in a bar and then the SF MOMA with out of town guests, Erik and Michael, which echoed back to the conversation I had in the Canada College parking lot about the stitching together of communities. Getting out and viewing stars--and out viewing art are two reminders of how joyful and positive aspects of common experience can feed a part of our humanity that frequently plagues the solitariness of modern adult living that even introverts can dig.

[Geoff Habiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nordgren's book is a great addition to any library, with a look at how eclipses have been viewed throughout history, to the modern fascination (fanaticism?) with eclipses and eclipse travel. Nordgren intersperses some excellent science on what an eclipse is, how they happen, and the different types of eclipses (annular, total, and lunar) and what makes them different.

Nordgren's discussion of the history of humanity's experience with solar eclipses was simple and while he didn't go into great detail about historical events his coverage gives the reader a good understanding of how the eclipse has shaped human history. Being able to predict an eclipse has been used by many people (generally white Europeans encountering native peoples) to their advantage to either frighten people or give the explorer power over others. The book also gives a good account of how the earliest scientists began to study and understand the eclipse and this sparked these scientists to travel around the world so they could study the phenomenon.

What I found most fascinating in Sun, Moon, Earth was how unique and special the Earth/Moon system is. The moon is uniquely situated and sized to give those of us on Earth the rare opportunity to see a total eclipse of the sun. No other planet or planetoid in our solar system offers this unique perspective. And for now, until better data on exoplanets is collected, that makes us pretty unique in the galaxy as well.

Nordgren not only gives us the historical perspective and science of the eclipse, but also shares his own personal experiences with eclipses he has witness around the world. This provides a nice comparison to the historical experiences Norgren has detailed in the book. The book also includes tips and information for safely watching an eclipse and includes several photos and charts showing eclipses. The one graphic I liked was one shared from an eclipse website showing where all eclipses can be seen on the earth in the next 20 or so years.

If you have an interest in science, astronomy, or history I recommend Nordgren's book. Even if you have only a passing interest in those areas Norgren's own personal experiences that he shares with the reader make this an interesting read.

[Holly Keimig · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I made plans to be in totality for the eclipse of 2017, I knew I needed to read a book to figure out more about what to expect and I wanted to understand eclipses better in general. This book cover caught my eye and I was not disappointed. In all the other reading I did in magazines, online, etc, Nordgren's name keeps coming up and I can see why. He spends the first half of the book talking about the science of eclipses, a bit about the historical discoveries surrounding them, and how scientists figured out how to predict them. The diagrams he used were very easy to understand and gave additional information instead of just being for show. Some of the writing delved into very deep astronomical concepts I found a bit hard to follow, but overall things were easy to understand. I felt much more prepared when I got to view the eclipse. He adds into the book, mainly at the and but bits and pieces throughout, how people have understood eclipses and a little more about the meaning behind them to us humans. I found these parts fascinating. The last chapter gave me goosebumps the whole time I was reading it. He also discusses his travels to watch eclipses around the world which I found interesting. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about eclipses in general. I am very glad I was able to read it before seeing it.

page 141 (One of my favorite quotes in the book in a chapter opening header)
""...The great lesson of the eclipse to the masses of those who saw it is that one little unusual phenomenon in the skies makes us realize how closely akin we all are in this common planetary boat out on an ethereal sea that has no visible shores.--NYT January 25, 1925""

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a perfect book to read before seeing the "great American eclipse of 2017." It's on audible so it would be great to listen as you are on the road to seeing the eclipse, wherever that may be. If you could only read one book to prepare for the event, this would be the one.

The author is quite an interesting person (and you won't realize it from this book). He is part of the dark sky movement and a great friend of the national parks. He is the artst who made all those astronomy in the parks pictures that people love so much, as well as his new set of art on the 2017 eclipse.

If you are not reading for the specific eclipse event but on star gazing and moon viewing in general then I cannot recommend more two other books: The End of the Night by Paul Bogard (where I learned of Nordgren's work) as well as Nordgren's really quirky and fascinating book: Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks. I wrote a review on that one somewhere in these pages and it is a really unexpected book. I thought that one would be a guide for doing astronomy in the dark skies of our parks but what it really is --more than anything-- is a personal meditation of magic of dark skies and the wonders of astronomy (written as an astronomer, it is fabulous on everything!) What else? Well, I had it in my head to see the eclipse in the national park and loved reading that he had chosen the precise same spot I had over ten years ago. I have no idea if he changed his mind since then or not but "great minds think alike?" :) Just kidding.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously, a basic everything-you-could-want-to-know-about-eclipses sort of book. The author starts with Christopher Columbus saving himself from being killed during his fourth voyage to the Caribbean a la Mark Twain Connecticut Yankee and goes all the way to the final total eclipse on Earth as the moon's orbit eventually moves it out of the perfect alignment of size with the sun. Don't work, we're looking at millions of years from now.

Of course, he goes into introductory science and history of understanding what eclipses are, the different types and how they've been used over the centuries to prove various scientific hypotheses - like the size of the Moon itself, the effect of gravitational forces on the bending of light, the sad demise of the inner planet Vulcan - it really wasn't there - and more.

At the end, Nordgren goes into his own passion to 'chase eclipses' that has bitten so many people. Perhaps the first recorded person to actually travel to see a total solar eclipse was a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1715. Today, there are people who take eclipse cruises, take flights that attempt to chase the moon shadow across the Earth - the closest was a Concorde flight in 1973 Describing his own experience in the Faroe Islands in 2015, we get a sense of what some people will do and how far in advance they make their plans to attend this version of an obsession.

2020-073

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book in anticipation of the 2017 eclipse and it absolutely developed an excitement for the event – and hopefully it will help me have a fuller appreciation of the total solar eclipse.

The book is an easy read, though it does tap into some complex topics such as Einstein's theory of relativity and the creation of earth and moon. There were moments where the experience of seeing a total eclipse seems exaggerated (but what do I know, I've never seen one) but I was fascinated at how much astronomy developed our modern world and understanding of science/the universe. I learned information about our world that I had never even thought to question and I'm making my husband at least read the final chapter.

In summary: If you plan on viewing the eclipse this summer this absolutely is a great way to prepare for the experience. For everyone else, this book is still worth your time.

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book to my hubby before we went to see the 2017 Totality. He enjoyed reading it outloud to our family as we traveled for the event and while we were waiting for it at a state park. I was disappointed by the books for a couple of reasons.

First this isn't so much "history" as it is introductory science. That's fine but I was expecting most of the chapters to talk about how solar eclipses have been seen by humans and inspired them in art, religious, science,etc. I wanted to learn more about events in human history impacted by solar eclipses in more than the one chapter.

Second I think the description of what the totality would like like was misleading. More information about environmental and weather's influence on what we would see was needed because we ended up being disappointed.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I unintentionally started reading this book near the one-year anniversary of the The Great American Eclipse of 2017. Mr. Nordgren captures well the incredible wonder and awe one experiences during a total solar eclipse, and reading this book brought back great memories from that moment last year.

The book delivers fantastic descriptions of the astronomical mechanics of eclipses, as well as great anecdotes into how humans have perceived them across our brief history. The chapter on Einstein's Theory of Relativity and how an eclipse helped prove it was my favorite.

With the exception of a bizarre interlude about Arabs' immense contribution to astronomy (something that harkened back to a previous president's directive to NASA) and at the very end a few really out-of-place comments about 'creationists', this is a very cohesive, informative, and rewarding book.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very excellent discussion of the astrophysics, history, cultural significance and current hoopla over eclipses of the sun (and incidentally of the moon). Clear and thorough discussions of planetary movements, how both Newtonian and relativistic concepts of gravity contribute to our understanding of the movements of sun, moon and planets, and how that allows for predictions of eclipses both forward and backward in time. Excellent discussion of what is astounding about experiencing a total eclipse, and why it is advisable to get to where the upcoming August eclipse can be seen.
Very well written, nicely organized, and ending with a discussion of how the steady movement of the moon away from the earth will millions of years from now prevent any more eclipses.
I will remember the excellent map of the upcoming August eclipse, as well has the fine discussions of transits, and proof of the curvature of space by gravity.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little primer for anyone wanting to learn more about eclipses and how humanity’s understanding of them has evolved over the centuries. Earth is so unique because of the size of the moon and its distance from our planet, allowing for such striking coronas. Even the creation of the moon was a chance occurrence and its presence allowed for life on earth. “…every atom in your body, other than hydrogen, was once and atom in the heart of a star.” Most interestingly, eclipses allowed for discoveries like the size of the moon, the orbit of planets, and even relativity was confirmed by eclipses. There was also information about preparing for the great American eclipse and how to view it safely.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

[Lainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to get ready to witness my first total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024! It’s a thoroughly engaging and delightful book about eclipses, astronomy, and science and culture in general! It was especially interesting to discover how “eclipses became the KEY to understanding the workings of the cosmos: Greek philosophers used them to measure their world, Victorian scientists followed eclipses around the globe to deduce the workings of the sun, and modern-day physicists continue to use them to confirm Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Nordgren’s enthusiasm for eclipses and discovery is evident on every page! Now on to the eclipse — and fingers crossed for no clouds!!

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and readable overview of the physics of solar and lunar eclipses, with occasional forays into science history. There doesn't seem to be a clear narrative path to follow, but the anecdotes, scientific vignettes, and historical factoids are interesting and pleasant.

Probably the most valuable part of the whole book is the thorough index of eclipse viewing resources and timetables. If you caught the eclipse chasing bug after the Great American Eclipse in 2017, this book will make a handy reference for future spectacles.

[Will Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up on a whim after an article about the eclipse for 2024. This book gives less history than I expected, and desired. However, there's a fair bit of historical references to the scientists who understood eclipses far earlier than I ever knew they could. Fun fact, eclipses of other planets that cross the sun enabled us to figure out the size of the solar system LONNNNNGGG before the use of the Hubble Telescope. Eclipse hunters would be wise to check this book out. Not the best written book, but certainly informative.

[Cerisa Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nordgren does an incredible job covering the history of astronomy, but very little attention is actually devoted to the “omens of doom” referred to in the subtitle. If you want to know more about how eclipses happen and how important they have been in shaping our understanding of the universe, this book is for you. If you want a book that focuses on prehistoric and pre-Colonial Era observations, you will find only some of that here and may thus be disappointed.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely introduction to eclipses and related astronomy (both historical and modern) for the curious lay reader. Easy, clear, and enjoyable prose that communicates the author’s obvious (and understandable!) love of eclipses and his field. Recommended enthusiastically to the astro- and eclipse-curious, especially those whom the bug bit in 2017, or who missed out and are looking eagerly ahead to 2024.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have learned more than I’ve ever wanted to know about eclipses from this book. A lot was quite fascinating! Such as how they used the shadow to discover how big things were. I do wish there had been a little more “doom” talk in this book. I’m also more of a visual learner when it comes to science so the in-depth descriptions describing why things happen was rough for me. I know I read the words, but did any of it actually filter in brain? Hahahahha no!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about the history of solar eclipses, what we learn from them and the joy of eclipse chasing. Nordgren is an engaging writer and makes a lot of science very accessible to a layperson. He has me very excited for the 2017 Great American Eclipse! This is one I may need to read again.