Why read Eclipse?

Book cover of Eclipse: The Celestial Phenomenon Which Has Changed the Course of History

Book description

In August 1999, for the first time in more than 70 years, the northern hemisphere will experience a total eclipse of the sun. This book is an engaging, accessible and authoritative account of this phenomenon and how it has affected humanity from the beginning of time. Author is Adelaide-based director…

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Topics

Christopher Columbus

Genres

Science

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Why read it?

1 author picked Eclipse as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Nick Lomb

Author

I like how easily understandable this book is with its short sections and informative diagrams. Historical eclipses are described; these include the famous story of how, in 1504, Christopher Columbus supposedly used a total eclipse of the Moon to frighten Jamaican natives into supplying him and his crew with food.

My favorite section, though, is the book’s appendix, which gives simple explanations of important but complex phenomena, such as the precession of the equinoxes, the different types of months, and how often eclipses repeat. The best part is that the calculations in the appendix can be followed using just a…

From Nick's list on The best books about the greatest spectacles in nature, total eclipses of the Sun.