The Moon: A Biography

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Description

Since the dawn of time, the moon has exerted a tremendous influence over the earth and its inhabitants, both scientifically and artistically. The earliest astronomers expended much energy in their attempts to map the moon, and the moon has a central role in virtually all mythologies, from Amazonian Indians to the ancient Egyptians to the Celts. Poets, painters and musicians have taken the moon as the inspiration for great works of art. Yet the biography of our nearest planet has never been written. The myriad stories - peopled with extraordinary characters like Galileo and Van Eyck - and fascinating science which this epic tale comprises have now been brought together for the first time.

Reviews

An informative and highly enjoyable mix of astronomy, history and myth ... Whitehouse's well-researched book is infused with enthusiasm - Scotland on Sunday

Packed with interesting detail and photographs, recounting man's long love affair with the [moon] - A.T.Q.Stewart, Irish Times

Utterly compelling - Financial Times

Author Bio

Dr David Whitehouse is a BBC Science Correspondent and the Science Editor of BBC News Online. He obtained his doctorate from the world-famous Jodrell Bank Observatory and has worked on several space missions. He regularly writes for magazines and newspapers and is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, past president of the Society for Popular Astronomy and co-presenter of the BBC TV science series Final Frontier.