The Sky: Mystery, Magic, and Myth

by Jean-Pierre Verdet

Well-written, loaded with information, and with a rich assortment of illustrations, each Discoveries "RM" volume is a look at one facet of art, archaeology, music, history, philosophy, popular culture, science, or nature. These innovatively designed, affordably priced, compact paperbacks bring ideas to life and amplify our understanding of civilization in a new way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History

199 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 1992

About the author

Jean-Pierre Verdet is a French astronomer, historian of astronomy and mathematician.

Reviews

[Rebecca]

This book is a wonderful intorduction to the many mythologies, folk tales and beliefs regarding the sky. Its divided into 4 main sections- the sky/heavens itself, the sun and moon, celestial disorder (comets etc) and features of the sky closer to earth- winds, rain etc. There's then an amazing glow in the dark section of star maps showing which constellations you'll see in four different months over the year, and then a documents section which means you can read many of the stories and accounts the author research- wonderful! Throughout there are also great pictures, showing many manuscripts, sculptures etc that were created in celebration of the sky.

[Rowan]

Colonialist tripe. Pretty pictures.

[Guadaloupe]

This is one of the most interesting books I've read. The illustrations are marvelous.