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The Planets
With her blockbuster New York Times bestsellers Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter , Dava Sobel used her rare and luminous gift for weaving difficult scientific concepts into a compelling story to garner rave reviews and attract readers from across the literary spectrum. Now, in The Planets , Sobel brings her full talents to bear on what is perhaps her most ambitious subject to date—the planets of our solar system. The sun’s family of planets become a familiar place in this personal account of the lives of other worlds. Sobel explores the planets’ origins and oddities through the lens of popular culture, from astrology, mythology, and science fiction to art, music, poetry, biography, and history. A perfect gift and a captivating journey, The Planets is a gorgeously illustrated study of our place in the universe that will mesmerize everyone who has ever gazed with awe at our night sky. Watch a Windows Media trailer for this book. Watch a Quicktime trailer for this book.
270 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
253 people are currently reading
5485 people want to read
About the author
Dava Sobel
47 books950 followersDava Sobel is an American writer of popular expositions of scientific topics. Her books include Longitude, about English clockmaker John Harrison; Galileo's Daughter, about Galileo's daughter Maria Celeste; and The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars about the Harvard Computers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 579 reviews
May 26, 2025
What is so unusual and engaging about this book is that it incorporates science, myth, history, story-telling, culture and poetry.
Dava Sobel's credentials for writing Science, and particularly Astronomy, books are exemplary. It is surprising to find that she chooses to include other aspects rather than having a fixed dry approach to the subject. She will be relaying facts and figures from Space probes or the Hubble space telescope - then will veer off into beliefs or poetry of the Ancient Greeks.
I can recognise that this is a ground-breaking book. If you are looking for a primer on the planets however, this is not for you. There IS a chapter devoted to each planet, but this is misleading. After reading it you may not really retain any new "facts and figures". But you may feel about each planet in a different way, and have a different breadth of understanding.
Objectively it probably deserves a better star rating. But sadly I personally found it a bit of a slog.
Dava Sobel's credentials for writing Science, and particularly Astronomy, books are exemplary. It is surprising to find that she chooses to include other aspects rather than having a fixed dry approach to the subject. She will be relaying facts and figures from Space probes or the Hubble space telescope - then will veer off into beliefs or poetry of the Ancient Greeks.
I can recognise that this is a ground-breaking book. If you are looking for a primer on the planets however, this is not for you. There IS a chapter devoted to each planet, but this is misleading. After reading it you may not really retain any new "facts and figures". But you may feel about each planet in a different way, and have a different breadth of understanding.
Objectively it probably deserves a better star rating. But sadly I personally found it a bit of a slog.
January 5, 2020
This is an asinine science book. What it is, actually, is a group of lyrical essays rhapsodizing in poetic, easy to understand, prose mixing science fact and selected bits of science history and lots of subjective ecstasy. In other words, a coffee table book for readers of Vogue Magazine, except that it needs more pictures and its small paperback size fits most purses. Perfect for the literary magazine reader who has difficulty with science subjects, or those readers of a poetic and romantic nature. If you are at all Asperger's, you will be tossing this into the nearest bin.
Some quotes from the book:
"The Book of Genesis tells how the dust of the ground, molded and exalted by the breath of life, became the first man. The ubiquitous dust of the early Solar System-flecks of carbon, specks of silicon, molecules of ammonia, crystals of ice-united bit by bit into "planetesimals," which were the seeds, or first stages, of planets." and so on.
Another excerpt: "Call me "It," or call me "Allan Hills 84001'" my given name-even "Thing from Mars" will suit. Although I am only a rock and cannot answer, allow me this conceit of conscious identity for the space of these few pages, that I may speak for Mars, whence I traveled via chance and the laws of physics."
Or: "The hot soup still counts as "ice" in the parlance of planetary science, however, like the 'hot ice and wondrous strange snow' of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'
Or: "All of the above, probably, all rendered the more extraordinary for having traveled to her across 240,000 miles of interplanetary space, in the belly of a rocket ship, and hand-delivered as the love token of a handsome man. Lucky, lucky Carolyn."
Included are entire poems written about the planets.
Self-conscious, an MFA's graduate's dream of successful writing (which I think it is, by the way-A plus), nonetheless I found myself alternately bent over in mirth and disgust. Ths book has too much saccharine for me and not enough sugar.
Some quotes from the book:
"The Book of Genesis tells how the dust of the ground, molded and exalted by the breath of life, became the first man. The ubiquitous dust of the early Solar System-flecks of carbon, specks of silicon, molecules of ammonia, crystals of ice-united bit by bit into "planetesimals," which were the seeds, or first stages, of planets." and so on.
Another excerpt: "Call me "It," or call me "Allan Hills 84001'" my given name-even "Thing from Mars" will suit. Although I am only a rock and cannot answer, allow me this conceit of conscious identity for the space of these few pages, that I may speak for Mars, whence I traveled via chance and the laws of physics."
Or: "The hot soup still counts as "ice" in the parlance of planetary science, however, like the 'hot ice and wondrous strange snow' of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'
Or: "All of the above, probably, all rendered the more extraordinary for having traveled to her across 240,000 miles of interplanetary space, in the belly of a rocket ship, and hand-delivered as the love token of a handsome man. Lucky, lucky Carolyn."
Included are entire poems written about the planets.
Self-conscious, an MFA's graduate's dream of successful writing (which I think it is, by the way-A plus), nonetheless I found myself alternately bent over in mirth and disgust. Ths book has too much saccharine for me and not enough sugar.
January 21, 2023
Entertaining and informative
If John Lennon were alive today to read Dava Sobel's THE PLANETS, I've no doubt he would be pleased to call it "a magical mystery tour".
I've always enjoyed reading popular science but, frankly, some of it is turgid, dry-as-dust commentary that is far more soporific than informative. By contrast, Sobel's THE PLANETS, a whirlwind tour of some of the most fascinating features of our very own solar system, waxes lyrical, indeed, almost poetic at times with the compelling beauty of its prose.
Each chapter, written from a unique imaginative perspective, takes what might otherwise be difficult scientific concepts and weaves them into a narrative that will draw in even the most science-phobic reader with an irresistible urgency and fascination. Sci-Fi, for example, the chapter that lucidly tells us the story of Mars, uses the extraordinarily clever device of narration from the point of view of a Martian meteorite, a piece of Martian rock blasted loose from Mars' surface by an asteroid impact that found its way to earth, landing in an Antarctic icefield over sixteen million years ago.
I don't think I could improve on Newsweek's comment ... "a guided tour so imaginative that we forget we're being educated while we're being entertained."
THE PLANETS is highly recommended and adds to a growing body of work that includes the equally entertaining LONGITUDE and GALILEO'S DAUGHTER.
Paul Weiss
If John Lennon were alive today to read Dava Sobel's THE PLANETS, I've no doubt he would be pleased to call it "a magical mystery tour".
I've always enjoyed reading popular science but, frankly, some of it is turgid, dry-as-dust commentary that is far more soporific than informative. By contrast, Sobel's THE PLANETS, a whirlwind tour of some of the most fascinating features of our very own solar system, waxes lyrical, indeed, almost poetic at times with the compelling beauty of its prose.
Each chapter, written from a unique imaginative perspective, takes what might otherwise be difficult scientific concepts and weaves them into a narrative that will draw in even the most science-phobic reader with an irresistible urgency and fascination. Sci-Fi, for example, the chapter that lucidly tells us the story of Mars, uses the extraordinarily clever device of narration from the point of view of a Martian meteorite, a piece of Martian rock blasted loose from Mars' surface by an asteroid impact that found its way to earth, landing in an Antarctic icefield over sixteen million years ago.
I don't think I could improve on Newsweek's comment ... "a guided tour so imaginative that we forget we're being educated while we're being entertained."
THE PLANETS is highly recommended and adds to a growing body of work that includes the equally entertaining LONGITUDE and GALILEO'S DAUGHTER.
Paul Weiss
November 8, 2018
An interesting tour of the solar system with not only factual information, but some history of the myths & beliefs that surround each one. I found her narration of the discovery of Pluto particularly good. She really weaves the story of Lowell & Tombaugh together well & then takes us down its road of demotion.
April 18, 2024
Dava Sobel takes the reader through the history of discovery of each planet in our solar system, along with details about what is known of the planet and its moons. She also mentions the planetary references found in works of art, mythology, music, science fiction, and culture. It is ordered by the planet’s distance to the sun, starting with Mercury. It contains poetry and anecdotes related to her own past experiences. It is a different approach to a discussion of the solar system – more artistic and historical than scientific. I found it reasonably interesting but not riveting. It contains enough diverse information about the solar system to make it worth the time invested.
June 25, 2025
UGH reread this one without realizing I had already read it. My feelings are still the same!
I was expecting a science book about the planets. This wasn't it.
I was expecting a science book about the planets. This wasn't it.
September 8, 2022
While admittedly a VERY basic introduction to the science and history of the planets, the author’s writing style and engaging presentation was a delight to read. Her awe at the vastness of space was palpable and her delight in research itself was catching. An excellent starting point for further planetary study, this journey was well-worth taking with plenty of wonder-ful facts and stories for every reader!
July 8, 2013
If you open this book expecting science, you will be sorely disappointed, as I was. All the same, it's not fair to rate a book low just because it wasn't what I expected, and that's not why I gave "The Planets" only two stars (and I think I'm being quite generous). The reason is, "The Planets" isn't really about anything at all. It's a tiny part personal history - the author's relationship with the planets, tiny part social and cultural history - the discovery of and significance of the planets in a cultural sense, tiny part science, and tiny part creative writing (there's a vignette from the first-person perspective of a Mars rock). The problem is all these tiny parts don't add up to one coherent whole. Whether you're looking for science, history, culture, or whatever else, you'll be left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. I give this book two stars instead of just one because I do like Dava Sobel's writing style - it's eloquent and fun, though not by itself able to save this book.
July 11, 2013
Should have been published with large color pictures as a coffee table book. I'm not sure this should be shelved with the science books- while it does include some facts about the planets, it's more a literary effort. As it is, the individual chapters feel wholly disconnected from each other, written in a wide variety of styles, and some with entirely extraneous information, such as the friend of the author's who ate moon dust after being given it as a present by a boyfriend. I honestly thought that would be the strangest bit of the book, but that was before I reached the chapter where the author suddenly decided to write in the first person as a bit of Martian rock or the one where a letter written by Caroline Herschel was reproduced in its entirety . (That chapter was very odd. Did the author have a word quota she had to make and was short on? The chapter started with a quote from Mitchell, switched to the letter from Herschel to Mitchell, and then concluded with a minimal amount of text by the author.) All in all, a disappointment.
February 5, 2017
The Planets is an interesting book, but one that is not for everyone. If you are looking for highly technical or academic treatment of planetary science, look elsewhere. If you want to get an overview of the planets in our solar system, this book does that. Mostly this book reminded me of information I used to know but had forgotten. There were a few new facts from more recent discoveries that I found interesting,
The writing style is clear and very readable, not weighed down with a technical jargon or mathematics. The text is sprinkled with poetry (which I skipped) and personal reflections. I expect these were intended to make the subject more accessible or relatable. I found them distracting and at times condescending.
There are a number of color illustrations scattered throughout the text. While these are pleasing to look at, I did not think they added anything.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
The writing style is clear and very readable, not weighed down with a technical jargon or mathematics. The text is sprinkled with poetry (which I skipped) and personal reflections. I expect these were intended to make the subject more accessible or relatable. I found them distracting and at times condescending.
There are a number of color illustrations scattered throughout the text. While these are pleasing to look at, I did not think they added anything.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
February 6, 2013
I devoured this book, and was very sad when it ended. Her format of comparing and contrasting the science of astronomy (modern, ancient, and everything in between) and folklore of astrology was enthralling. I did not give it five stars because I kept feeling like I wanted more, just a bit more, for each planet. But I loved the book, and it led me to search out her other works. I have read each of her books since, except "A More Perfect Heaven." Still trying to get to it. I definitely recommend this book, though it was a bit more of a "light" read than I wanted.
June 9, 2019
In a concise manner this book refreshed my memory on the basics of our planets. Mythology and music is also woven into the history.
As for Venus, it is at times the “morning star”, while on other days it’s the “evening star”. With a bit of light humor the author stated: “Who knows how many childhood wishes are squandered on that planet before the gathering darkness brings out the stars?”. Certainly a few of my grand wishes were foiled decades ago.
As for Venus, it is at times the “morning star”, while on other days it’s the “evening star”. With a bit of light humor the author stated: “Who knows how many childhood wishes are squandered on that planet before the gathering darkness brings out the stars?”. Certainly a few of my grand wishes were foiled decades ago.
July 25, 2016
This is, in a sense, a book about the planets. But that might give you the wrong idea about what kind of book it is. Dava Sobel has given us a great nightstand book, which happens to riff on the planets in our solar system. It's not really intended to tell you a bunch of science, in order to make you better informed, although it may actually do that by accident along the way. Rather, it's more like a series of meditations, which happen to take the objects in our solar system as their focus.
There is, in fact, a great deal of solace to be gained from thinking for some amount of time about something as remote as Mercury, much less Pluto (still included here, along with a discussion of its controversial status). Sobel's language and imagery is not like a science lecturer, not even that cool one who could keep everyone's attention in class. She is instead spinning a web of facts, tales, observations, and imagery that successfully draw your attention away from yourself, and whatever might be troubling you just then.
Of course, in addition to the facts (known now, or previously believed) about each planet, there is also in Sobel's writing a great deal of discussion about what we humans think (or thought) about each planet. Given their position above us, the planets have always invited us to project our own ideas about the universe onto them. But Sobel isn't really trying to give an exhaustive chronicle of the history of each planet's science, either. She is, more or less, using each planet as a starting point, to persuade us to think about something further away from ourselves than the all-too-human world that shouts for our attention every day.
Even the chapter on the Earth, given the difference in perspective from our normal right-in-the-middle-of-my-life-and-problems-real-or-imagined, takes us away from ourselves for a little while. I would read a chapter each night, in bed, and then after I put the book away and turned out the light I would lie there with eyes closed and try to think about what I had read, and hold onto that perspective for a while until I fell asleep. Sadly, there were only twelve chapters. I wished for more.
There is, in fact, a great deal of solace to be gained from thinking for some amount of time about something as remote as Mercury, much less Pluto (still included here, along with a discussion of its controversial status). Sobel's language and imagery is not like a science lecturer, not even that cool one who could keep everyone's attention in class. She is instead spinning a web of facts, tales, observations, and imagery that successfully draw your attention away from yourself, and whatever might be troubling you just then.
Of course, in addition to the facts (known now, or previously believed) about each planet, there is also in Sobel's writing a great deal of discussion about what we humans think (or thought) about each planet. Given their position above us, the planets have always invited us to project our own ideas about the universe onto them. But Sobel isn't really trying to give an exhaustive chronicle of the history of each planet's science, either. She is, more or less, using each planet as a starting point, to persuade us to think about something further away from ourselves than the all-too-human world that shouts for our attention every day.
Even the chapter on the Earth, given the difference in perspective from our normal right-in-the-middle-of-my-life-and-problems-real-or-imagined, takes us away from ourselves for a little while. I would read a chapter each night, in bed, and then after I put the book away and turned out the light I would lie there with eyes closed and try to think about what I had read, and hold onto that perspective for a while until I fell asleep. Sadly, there were only twelve chapters. I wished for more.
November 26, 2008
Dava Sobel manages beautifully and engagingly to bring these heavenly bodies as close as one's own backyard. With eloquent descriptions of their compositions, the reader is transported throughout the solar system from the scorching toxic surface of Venus to the seas of liquid metallic hydrogen underneath Jupiter's crushing atmosphere and beyond.
The chapters are organized by planet and they include discussions on history, mythology, geology, and the scientific community that has discovered and explored the planets and their neighboring objects. Her prose is lyrical and her passion for science and space apparent. The book is written to be accessible to the non-science major and manages this well, if not flawlessly. The true science buff will definitely want for more, but the intention behind this book seems to be to whet the appetite, not gorge the mind on facts.
Some chapters are more successful than others (Venus and Jupiter being stand-outs while Mars and Neptune are much weaker), but overall, this book is beautifully written and would be a good introduction to non-fiction for the staunch pretty prose reader.
The chapters are organized by planet and they include discussions on history, mythology, geology, and the scientific community that has discovered and explored the planets and their neighboring objects. Her prose is lyrical and her passion for science and space apparent. The book is written to be accessible to the non-science major and manages this well, if not flawlessly. The true science buff will definitely want for more, but the intention behind this book seems to be to whet the appetite, not gorge the mind on facts.
Some chapters are more successful than others (Venus and Jupiter being stand-outs while Mars and Neptune are much weaker), but overall, this book is beautifully written and would be a good introduction to non-fiction for the staunch pretty prose reader.
July 9, 2014
I think I expected this to be more scientific than it turned out to be, which may be a common problem judging from other reviews. It's actually more of a historical glance at the way humanity has envisioned the galaxy, and the way our knowledge has grown over the millennia. It's a lot literary, with bits of science and mythology thrown in. Some parts of it were lovely for that, though I wasn't sure about the emphasis on linking the Old Testament Genesis story with the scientific facts of creation. It seems likely to alienate a lot of readers, even if it sounds pretty.
Of course, we mustn't forget that this is also quite behind the times now: published in 2007ish, shortly after the demotion of Pluto, it has nothing to say about more recent discoveries about the moons of the outer planets, or Curiosity, or anything like that. It's quite accessible, but not up to date, which is a pity.
Sometimes the literary interludes really got on my nerves, with Sobel putting words into people's mouths and anthropomorphizing inanimate objects. I like literary tricks like that as much as the next person, but it just seems ridiculous when they're giving words and complex thought to a meteorite...
Of course, we mustn't forget that this is also quite behind the times now: published in 2007ish, shortly after the demotion of Pluto, it has nothing to say about more recent discoveries about the moons of the outer planets, or Curiosity, or anything like that. It's quite accessible, but not up to date, which is a pity.
Sometimes the literary interludes really got on my nerves, with Sobel putting words into people's mouths and anthropomorphizing inanimate objects. I like literary tricks like that as much as the next person, but it just seems ridiculous when they're giving words and complex thought to a meteorite...
March 21, 2015
პლანეტები და ასტრონომია ჩემი ვნებაა, კოხტა წიგნები პლანეტებზე მითუმეტეს. ერთი სიამოვნებაა ხარისხიან ფურცელზე დაბეჭდილ, კარგად დაკაბადონებულ, ლამაზად გაფორმებულ წიგნს რომ გადაშლი პლანეტების შესახებ. მეორე სიამოვნება კი თავად თხრობამ უნდა მოგგვაროს. ამ წიგნმა პირველი სიამოვნება მომანიჭა, აი მეორე კი ცოტა არ იყოს დამაკლო. დავა სობელი კარგი მწერალია, თუმცა ეს წიგნი ცოტა ღარიბი გამოუვიდა. პლანეტებზე გაცილებით მეტის თქმა და უფრო საინტერესო ამბების მოყოლა შეიძლება. საინტერესო ამბების მოლოდინს წიგნის დიზაინთან და სათაურთან ერთად აღრმავებს თავების სათაურებიც მაგალითად თავს მარსის შესახებ რომელსაც SCI-FI (სამეცნიერო ფანტასტიკა) ქვია, გიქმნის მოლოდინს რომ წაიკითხავ როგორ შემოდიოდა მარსი ადამიანთა ცხოვრებაში სამეცნიერო ფანტასტიკის საშუალებით. მარსს ხომ მართლაც ყველაზე მდიდარი სამეცნიერო ფანტასტიკური წარსული აქვს, თუმცა ამ თავში სამეცნიერო ფანტასტიკის მხოლოდ 2-3 სათაურია ნახსენები და ისიც სქოლიოში.
ასევე ძალიან გამიკვირდა როცა ავტორმა მარსზე საუბრისას ახსენა დედამიწიდან მარსზე სიცოცხლის მოხვედრის შესაძლებლობა და არ ახსენა საპირისპირო სცენარი, რომელიც უფრო პოპულარულია დღეს, რადგან მარსზე სავარაუდოდ უფრო ადრე გაჩნდა სიცოცხლისთვის ხელსაყრელი პირობები.
ავტორი ძირითადად მეცნიერების ისტორიაზე წერს,მისი სხვა წიგნების გამოხმაურებებიდან და თემის მრავალფეროვნებიდან გამომდინარე, პლანეტების მითოლოგიური, ისტორიული, მისტიკური, სამეცნიერო მნიშვნელობის და წიგნის თავების სათაურების გათვალისწინებით გექმნება ძალიან კარგი მოლოდინი ამის ნაცვლად აღმოჩნდა, რამდენიმე ცნობილი მეცნიერული ფაქტის აღწერა და აღმოჩენის ისტორია, ძალიან მოკლედ. თუმცა იყო საინტერესო ამბებიც მაგალითად უილიამ ჰერშელის დის წერილი მარია მიტჩელისადმი. სადაც აღწერილი იყო ურანის და ნეპტუნის აღმოჩენის ისტორია.
ასევე ძალიან გამიკვირდა როცა ავტორმა მარსზე საუბრისას ახსენა დედამიწიდან მარსზე სიცოცხლის მოხვედრის შესაძლებლობა და არ ახსენა საპირისპირო სცენარი, რომელიც უფრო პოპულარულია დღეს, რადგან მარსზე სავარაუდოდ უფრო ადრე გაჩნდა სიცოცხლისთვის ხელსაყრელი პირობები.
ავტორი ძირითადად მეცნიერების ისტორიაზე წერს,მისი სხვა წიგნების გამოხმაურებებიდან და თემის მრავალფეროვნებიდან გამომდინარე, პლანეტების მითოლოგიური, ისტორიული, მისტიკური, სამეცნიერო მნიშვნელობის და წიგნის თავების სათაურების გათვალისწინებით გექმნება ძალიან კარგი მოლოდინი ამის ნაცვლად აღმოჩნდა, რამდენიმე ცნობილი მეცნიერული ფაქტის აღწერა და აღმოჩენის ისტორია, ძალიან მოკლედ. თუმცა იყო საინტერესო ამბებიც მაგალითად უილიამ ჰერშელის დის წერილი მარია მიტჩელისადმი. სადაც აღწერილი იყო ურანის და ნეპტუნის აღმოჩენის ისტორია.
March 1, 2016
Confession time: I originally perused this book because the cover is beautiful.
As a child, I was fascinated with astronomy. As a college Freshman, I took an astronomy course and dropped out after a few weeks. Perhaps now I would be able to grasp the difficult mathematics required for even elementary-level space science. Perhaps. But I think I'm better off with a text like The Planets, which dives into the fascinating history (and indeed much of the science) of our solar system with a sense of whimsy and poetry.
Unlike, apparently, some who have written reviews of this book, I read a few pages before buying it. I do that regardless of topic or genre. To begin reading something is an investment of my time and energy. I've read criticisms of the approach used here, and I don't understand how that approach wasn't apparent from the beginning. I guess this isn't my problem, but I feel a bit sad to read negative reviews by people who really are not within the intended audience here. This is beginning-level stuff, surely, for a general readership with an interest in, not an expertise with, the material.
I know I haven't retained a lot of the specifics Dava Sobel has shared here, but that's not to say I haven't learned a lot. I also have a strong appreciation for how Sobel shaped each chapter, each treatment of individual bodies of the solar system. I'm happy to have read it.
http://darkmagnet.blogspot.com/
As a child, I was fascinated with astronomy. As a college Freshman, I took an astronomy course and dropped out after a few weeks. Perhaps now I would be able to grasp the difficult mathematics required for even elementary-level space science. Perhaps. But I think I'm better off with a text like The Planets, which dives into the fascinating history (and indeed much of the science) of our solar system with a sense of whimsy and poetry.
Unlike, apparently, some who have written reviews of this book, I read a few pages before buying it. I do that regardless of topic or genre. To begin reading something is an investment of my time and energy. I've read criticisms of the approach used here, and I don't understand how that approach wasn't apparent from the beginning. I guess this isn't my problem, but I feel a bit sad to read negative reviews by people who really are not within the intended audience here. This is beginning-level stuff, surely, for a general readership with an interest in, not an expertise with, the material.
I know I haven't retained a lot of the specifics Dava Sobel has shared here, but that's not to say I haven't learned a lot. I also have a strong appreciation for how Sobel shaped each chapter, each treatment of individual bodies of the solar system. I'm happy to have read it.
http://darkmagnet.blogspot.com/
June 21, 2015
Spicuiri din recenzia finala care se gaseste pe blogul meu
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Cred că este o carte foarte potrivită pentru adolescenți deoarece conține destul de multe lucruri necunoscute care să le trezească interesul atât față de astronomie cât și față de mitologie, astrologie, literatură SF etc. Însă pe mine m-a lăsat rece. Rece ca Pluto.
Mă gândesc că lui Vlăduț s-ar putea să-i placă mult pe la vreo 12 ani, însă când mă gândesc că sunt alte cărți, vezi Universul într-o coajă de nucă de exemplu, Dava Sobel nu prea are șanse să rămână mult timp apropiată sufletului unui tânăr.
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Cred că este o carte foarte potrivită pentru adolescenți deoarece conține destul de multe lucruri necunoscute care să le trezească interesul atât față de astronomie cât și față de mitologie, astrologie, literatură SF etc. Însă pe mine m-a lăsat rece. Rece ca Pluto.
Mă gândesc că lui Vlăduț s-ar putea să-i placă mult pe la vreo 12 ani, însă când mă gândesc că sunt alte cărți, vezi Universul într-o coajă de nucă de exemplu, Dava Sobel nu prea are șanse să rămână mult timp apropiată sufletului unui tânăr.
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October 26, 2017
Fascinating because of its subject but I wasn't totally convinced by Dava Sobel's approach: I thought it worked better for some chapters than for others. What it did do well for a simple lad such as myself was to instill a sense of wonder at the many varied worlds out there - in our planetary system and beyond.
July 13, 2023
It was absolutely riveting. I loved how Dava Sobel intertwined scientific fact with mythology and a bit of poetry to curve out the edges. Not only did I learn so many fascinating facts about the sun, our moon and the other planets & heavenly bodies in our solar system, but it was done with style too.
Kudos to Dava Sobel for sharing her love of the universe on such a fascinating and entertaining way. 4-Stars, you should read this!
Kudos to Dava Sobel for sharing her love of the universe on such a fascinating and entertaining way. 4-Stars, you should read this!
October 11, 2018
A beautiful reminder that the pretty orbs we memorized in grade school are more than that. They're actual alien worlds rich with a chemical character and harmony that mirrors our connection to them. Dave Sobel writes poetry and facts about the Solar System, and reminds her reader to look up to the stars with wonder and inspiration.
February 5, 2023
This book was delicious and I’m surprised by all the negative reviews. Right from the start the author shares her love and curiosity for the planets, and she weaves (a Eurocentric view of) poetry, science, history, mythology and other elements through a metaphorical structure that makes this book feel like a work of art.
March 26, 2023
I didn't realize when I started the book that it was 20 years old, but it was still a fun, short read with tidbits about our solar system. Some of it was outdated, but the history was top notch.
August 18, 2025
3.5-very, very interesting. Unfortunately, there are so many details, facts, anecdotes etc that I started to forget them already while still reading.
August 1, 2014
Not a book that needs to be read (or listened in my case). It' OK. Sobel tries the make this more interesting by waxing poetic, quoting many poetic bits about planets and using some other gimmicks. I liked the quotes, but would have preferred a simpler straight forward prose. The core of the book is not the planets as much as the history of our understanding of them, and of their discovery. This I liked, but it's a rushed history. These histories are most interesting because of the people involved. But the coverage is too brief to ever meet anyone (or re-acquaint with them, since most of the people she covers are well known). The worst chapter for me was on earth where she jumps from maps to explorers, leaping through time without any chance to provide context. I just found it disorienting.
I don't regret the book, just feel a little underwhelmed by it.
I don't regret the book, just feel a little underwhelmed by it.
March 11, 2011
I don't really understand the style of it all. Why write about something so haphazardly? It contains just enough science to I suppose be considered science. Yet she uses each chapter to tell one particular story relating to each of the planets in turn. The stories have no tie in. There seems to be little reason for each choice. There is also a terrible mixing in of non scientific information that also seems to be chosen at random and perhaps irrelevant. I guess the ordering of it is just not for me. The continuity of the work is in question here.
February 8, 2019
This was a great read - I picked it up at 2nd and Charles mainly because the front cover was beautiful and featured Saturn, my favorite planet. I'm so glad I did; the author was very engaging - each chapter covers one of the planets in our solar system (including poor non-planet Pluto.)
February 16, 2020
Dava Sobel has this very special way of making me care about the planets. I've never been interested by them, but I suddenly feel like I know them intimately, and like they have been my friends for a long time. Only a writer of great ability can achieve such a feat. Highly recommend!
July 19, 2021
A brief history of planet discovery, name origin, mythology. Since it was published before Pluto's demotion and the New Horizons mission, a lot of information is now out of date. I enjoyed the narrator for this.
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