A review by mpetruce
American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World by David Baron
4.0
Of particular note in this book is the story of women in science in the 19th century, specifically the story of Vassar's Maria Mitchell, and how hard it was for women to do science at all, let alone be taken seriously. If nothing else, the women's history this book explores is very interesting, and not just in the realm of science. Voting, social status, equal pay, the "ungodliness" of women *gasp* working, all is covered here. Not in super-minute detail, but taken seriously, and not just given cursory attention.
If you're looking to learn a lot of the specific science of eclipses, you probably won't find it here. But, if you want to learn about some of the early discoveries about the Sun and Solar System made because of an eclipse, you'll find some of that here. And if you want to learn about the rise of America in the world of science, that's what this book does best, after a fashion.
Jonathan Yen's narration is clear, concise and engaging. A good choice for the subject matter. His various tones and voices depending on who is speaking are distinctive without being silly.
If you're looking to learn a lot of the specific science of eclipses, you probably won't find it here. But, if you want to learn about some of the early discoveries about the Sun and Solar System made because of an eclipse, you'll find some of that here. And if you want to learn about the rise of America in the world of science, that's what this book does best, after a fashion.
Jonathan Yen's narration is clear, concise and engaging. A good choice for the subject matter. His various tones and voices depending on who is speaking are distinctive without being silly.