The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy by Michael Hoskin

The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy by Michael Hoskin

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences, and one which has repeatedly led to fundamental changes in our view of the world. This book covers the history of our study of the cosmos from prehistory through to a survey of modern astronomy and astrophysics (sure to be of interest to future historians of twentieth-century astronomy). It does not attempt to cover everything, but deliberately concentrates on the important themes and topics. These include stellar astronomy in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, at the time subordinate to the study of the solar system, but the source of many important concepts in modern astronomy, and the Copernican revolution, which led to the challenge of ancient authorities in many areas, not just astronomy. This is an essential text for students of the history of science and for students of astronomy who require a historical background to their studies.

' … this book is one of the most comprehensive histories of the subject I have seen … a highly readable and fascinating account'Modern Astronomer
'An astronomer once remarked that they would love to know more about the history of their subject but that they were too busy making it. Well, this book from Cambridge University Press could be the solution to that problem. Michael Hoskin, editor of the Journal for the History of Astronomy, and a well-known and accomplished historian has done an admirable job in editing this volume. The reviewer has no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone interested in astronomy or the history of science.' A. D. Andrews, Irish Astronomical Journal
'This is an important addition to any science or history library.' Gnomon
' … will appeal to readers well beyond the university to whom it has been designed. It is a book to peruse for intellectual enjoyment, and to treasure for reference.' M. T. Black, Endeavour
'Even so, it maintains the clarity and elegance of exposition of its progenitor … For some years now, there has not been a single authoritative and readable history of astronomy currently in print. But the Cambridge Concise History, and its Illustrated History forebear, fill that gap with signal success.' Allan Chapman, The Observatory
'… the book is well written, informative and interesting … it admirably lives up to its title. If you want a concise general history of astronomy, this is the book. It is readable, well written, and edited by a leader in the field.' Jon Reynolds, Journal of the British Astronomical Association

Michael Hoskin is one of the greatest living scholars in the history of astronomy. He is an Emeritus Fellow of St. Edmund's College, University of Cambridge. He was the founder and first director of the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge, and this is now the largest department of its kind in the world.

Michael Hoskin, the Cambridge academic, is the world authority on the Herschel family. In this delightful, erudite and informative book (The family of the astronomers William and Caroline Herschel) .... Hoskin wears his expertise lightly and has produced at one and the same time a most readable and enjoyable overview of the life and scientific accomplishments of this family as well as an extremely well referenced and useful introduction to the state of English astronomy at the turn of the nineteenth century.

David W. Hughes, Notes and Records of the Royal Society, 2009, page 112

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780521576000
ISBN 10	0521576008
Title	The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy
Author	Michael Hoskin
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	1999-03-18
Number of pages	380
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable