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Categories: Science fiction Fantasy Mystery Romance Business Classic Sports Young adult Humor Memoirs See all categories... |
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Categories: Science fiction Fantasy Mystery Romance Business Classic Sports Young adult Humor Memoirs See all categories... |
I thoroughly enjoyed this overview of the history of astronomy and it is at its best when Dreyer diverges from the most influential men of astronomy and deals with the (in the grand scheme of things) more minor parties to the development (and retrogression) of astronomy. As a complementary reference work to course literature, I think this book is quite good and if I ever take a formal course on the history of astronomy there are great quotes.On the whole, however there is nothing special with this particular overview that elevates it above or below many others hence the judgment is great but does not leave you with the sense of having read anything special.I was at the time of reading also more interested in methods over results and while there are well-described anecdotes such as about sighting of Canopus in Rhodes is evidence of a spherical earth -- overall the book is focused on Ideas; when they enter the historical record and how they developed over time.