May 2006    

The Planets Author: Dava Sobel Publisher: Viking $24.95 Paperback (270 p.) ISBN: 0670034460 B&T         YBP Reviewed by David White, Customer Service Bibliographer The Planets is a collection of musings connected to each planet in our solar system. From discussions of astrology and astronomy to music and poetry, each chapter paints a picture of the planet, often through anecdotal stories covering the planet's discovery. Comparisons are often drawn between the very first information gleaned from ancient celestial observations, and the very latest information from Hubble images and satellite analysis. Sobel writes in her coda: "If reading these pages has helped someone befriend the planets, recognizing in them the stalwarts of centuries of popular culture and the inspiration for much high-minded human endeavor, then I have accomplished what I set out to do." Sobel uses different literary methods to introduce the reader to each planet. The chapter on Mars is written from the perspective of Allan Hills 84001 - the famous Martian meteorite that begat a news conference from NASA claiming they had found evidence that life once existed on Mars. (While not disproved, subsequent studies have removed the surety of such claims). The chapter on Jupiter uses astrology to weave the tale, while Saturn's vessel is "the music of the spheres". Uranus and Neptune are recounted in a fictitious letter from Caroline Herschel (brother to Sir William Hershel) to noted 19th century US astronomer Maria Mitchell. The Planets is a pleasant read and is recommended for popular reading and basic astronomy collections. Published by YBP Library Services 999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA v: 800.258.3774   f: 603.746.5628 w: www.ybp.com   e: academia@ybp.com All rights reserved.