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mark_lm's review against another edition
4.0
A good history of astronomy from the late 19th century to the 1930s that discusses the discovery of the true significance of spiral nebulae, the size of the universe and its expansion. Other advances during this time, e.g. the nature and classification of stars, are mostly not discussed. Many later misconceptions about who did what are debunked, and there is fascinating discussion of the people involved with no attempt to gloss over their often too human characteristics.
panda44's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
mferber's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent history of the century of astronomical discoveries and controversies that led ultimately to the now-accepted theory of an expanding universe. Extremely well written and often gripping.
jmccyoung's review against another edition
4.0
Fun popular history of astronomy in the 20th century, written in a very lively style. Good enough I bought a copy for my father for Christmas!
darshbakshi's review against another edition
5.0
I always loved astronomy and was expecting something different from this book which it delivered. It had a lot of names of astronomers but the small stories were so coherent and beautifully told that by the end of it I was amazed and inspired. Enjoyed every single page of it.
pjohanneson's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a fantastic, popular-science history of a pivotal era in astronomy: the moment in time when we went from a belief that the Milky Way was the Universe entire, to the knowledge that the Milky Way is but one galaxy in a Universe comprising billions of others.
Both the famous names (Hubble, Einstein, etc) and the less well-known players (Vesto Slipher, Milton Humason, Georges Lemaître, etc) are represented in this fascinating, well-written, and well-researched book.
Both the famous names (Hubble, Einstein, etc) and the less well-known players (Vesto Slipher, Milton Humason, Georges Lemaître, etc) are represented in this fascinating, well-written, and well-researched book.
lgalvao's review
4.0
A great astronomer-focused history that seems to be underrated. Bartusiak writes crisply and lovingly.
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