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Eclipse Over Clemson: The day Tigertown will never forget
On Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse raced across the United States from coast to coast. The path of totality began in the Pacific Ocean before first touching land just north of Newport, Oregon. For the next 93 minutes or so, it moved across the Contiguous U.S., finally passing over Charleston, South Carolina, and fading away somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.
Clemson University, which was located almost dead-center within the path of totality, turned out to be one of the most popular places in the nation to view this eclipse. About 50,000 people came to campus that day to witness the rare celestial event. In addition, more than 25 local, national and international media outlets were also in attendance.
At Clemson, the eclipse started at 1:07 p.m. (EDT). Totality began at 2:37 p.m. and lasted, coincidentally, 2 minutes and 37 seconds. The eclipse ended at 4:02 p.m. It was hot and humid, but the sky was mostly clear throughout the day – and it was crystal-clear during totality, producing one of the most spectacular views seen anywhere by anyone.
As a public service, Clemson University’s College of Science chose to make “Eclipse Over Clemson” a free event with free parking. We even handed out tens of thousands of free solar shades. The goodwill this helped create turned out to be priceless.
People cheered. People chanted. People cried. I believe it is accurate to say that most of our guests will never forget it.
Hence, the title of the book …
"Eclipse Over Clemson: The day Tigertown will never forget" chronicles one of the most extraordinary days in Clemson University’s storied history. It contains chapters from our scientists, naturalists, psychologists, media relations experts, and even novelists. It also includes a poem – written specifically for this book – by renowned Southern author Ron Rash. And you’ll find more than 100 full-color images of the eclipse and the crowd taken by a team of talented photographers.
Clemson University, which was located almost dead-center within the path of totality, turned out to be one of the most popular places in the nation to view this eclipse. About 50,000 people came to campus that day to witness the rare celestial event. In addition, more than 25 local, national and international media outlets were also in attendance.
At Clemson, the eclipse started at 1:07 p.m. (EDT). Totality began at 2:37 p.m. and lasted, coincidentally, 2 minutes and 37 seconds. The eclipse ended at 4:02 p.m. It was hot and humid, but the sky was mostly clear throughout the day – and it was crystal-clear during totality, producing one of the most spectacular views seen anywhere by anyone.
As a public service, Clemson University’s College of Science chose to make “Eclipse Over Clemson” a free event with free parking. We even handed out tens of thousands of free solar shades. The goodwill this helped create turned out to be priceless.
People cheered. People chanted. People cried. I believe it is accurate to say that most of our guests will never forget it.
Hence, the title of the book …
"Eclipse Over Clemson: The day Tigertown will never forget" chronicles one of the most extraordinary days in Clemson University’s storied history. It contains chapters from our scientists, naturalists, psychologists, media relations experts, and even novelists. It also includes a poem – written specifically for this book – by renowned Southern author Ron Rash. And you’ll find more than 100 full-color images of the eclipse and the crowd taken by a team of talented photographers.
104 pages, Hardcover
Published December 4, 2017
6 people want to read
About the author
Jim Melvin
21 books51 followersJim grew up on the shores of western Florida, and he spent much of his childhood swimming in shark-infested waters long before the movie "Jaws" put a scare into everyone. At the time, he probably was too skinny to attract a bull shark's attention. About ten other boys Jim's age lived on his same street, and they hung out morning, noon and night playing the usual sports that young boys love — football, baseball, "kill the carrier," etc. — but as a group they also played fantastical games that contained magic, monsters and superheroes. It was in this setting that Jim's imagination was born and nurtured.
Jim's latest work is an updated edition of "The Death Wizard Chronicles," an action-packed dark fantasy for mature audiences. Volume 1 debuted April 2025. Volume 2 is set for July 2025 and Volume 3 in October 2025.
Literary Titan's 5-star review of Volume 1 included the following: "For the seasoned fantasy fan craving something fierce and different, this hits like thunder."
Jim also recently published a teen fantasy adventure trilogy titled "Dark Circles," which is about a group of kids who are transported to a magical land where it can be deadly to sleep. This is a great coming-of-age series for fans of J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and Brandon Sanderson.
Kirkus Reviews described book 1 as "a delightful beginning to a promising series that’s sure to appeal to teen readers who feel like outsiders."
"Dark Circles" is the winner of fourteen awards, including double finalist in the 21st annual Best Book Awards.
Jim is also the author of two books of nonfiction.
"The Adventures of a Florida Boy" chronicles
Jim's boyhood spent in Florida in the 1960s on an island called Coquina Key. His parents’ waterfront home overlooked a large expanse of Tampa Bay. Back then, parts of the island were undeveloped, which left plenty of room for outdoor adventures.
One reviewer said this: “A joyous glimpse into a childhood we all wish we’d had: fun, carefree, and near the sea.”
Jim was also the lead writer and editor for the nonfiction book "Eclipse Over Clemson: The day Tigertown will never forget," which chronicled the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse that passed over Clemson University. The on-campus event which Jim coordinated was a once-in-a-lifetime experience attended by more than 50,000 people.
Jim lives in a valley surrounded by mountains in the Southern Appalachians. He was previously an award-winning journalist at several national newspapers and a communications director at a major university.
Jim's latest work is an updated edition of "The Death Wizard Chronicles," an action-packed dark fantasy for mature audiences. Volume 1 debuted April 2025. Volume 2 is set for July 2025 and Volume 3 in October 2025.
Literary Titan's 5-star review of Volume 1 included the following: "For the seasoned fantasy fan craving something fierce and different, this hits like thunder."
Jim also recently published a teen fantasy adventure trilogy titled "Dark Circles," which is about a group of kids who are transported to a magical land where it can be deadly to sleep. This is a great coming-of-age series for fans of J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and Brandon Sanderson.
Kirkus Reviews described book 1 as "a delightful beginning to a promising series that’s sure to appeal to teen readers who feel like outsiders."
"Dark Circles" is the winner of fourteen awards, including double finalist in the 21st annual Best Book Awards.
Jim is also the author of two books of nonfiction.
"The Adventures of a Florida Boy" chronicles
Jim's boyhood spent in Florida in the 1960s on an island called Coquina Key. His parents’ waterfront home overlooked a large expanse of Tampa Bay. Back then, parts of the island were undeveloped, which left plenty of room for outdoor adventures.
One reviewer said this: “A joyous glimpse into a childhood we all wish we’d had: fun, carefree, and near the sea.”
Jim was also the lead writer and editor for the nonfiction book "Eclipse Over Clemson: The day Tigertown will never forget," which chronicled the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse that passed over Clemson University. The on-campus event which Jim coordinated was a once-in-a-lifetime experience attended by more than 50,000 people.
Jim lives in a valley surrounded by mountains in the Southern Appalachians. He was previously an award-winning journalist at several national newspapers and a communications director at a major university.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 22, 2018
On Goodreads.com, five stars = "it was amazing" and this book totally fits this description! I read it a year after the total solar eclipse of 2017, and it brought back ALL THE FEELS of that day. It truly was a magnificent, once-in-a-lifetime event. Being a Clemson fan family, it was extra cool to see all the pictures of people gathered on the University's campus to experience the event.
The book is a compilation of photos and short essays about the event and the experience. It was so neat to get to read more about what happens during a solar eclipse and to see all the research and observation that was done by the Clemson Astronomical School.
I highly recommend! Except, maybe, if you didn't get to experience the eclipse. Then, it might just make you sad that you missed it.
The book is a compilation of photos and short essays about the event and the experience. It was so neat to get to read more about what happens during a solar eclipse and to see all the research and observation that was done by the Clemson Astronomical School.
I highly recommend! Except, maybe, if you didn't get to experience the eclipse. Then, it might just make you sad that you missed it.
May 20, 2018
Loved it and loved the actual eclipse. I watched it from Furman.
October 7, 2018
This is a wonderfully personal look back at a once in a lifetime event. How fortunate we were to live in the path of totality.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews