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The Human Cosmos
A Secret History of the Stars
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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,226 ratings, 185 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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A journey through the history of science and humankind's relationship with the night sky and the cosmos beyond, from the author of Royal Society Prize-shortlisted Cure.
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Description
For most of human history, we have had a close relationship with the stars. Once, they shaped our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. But over the last few centuries, we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And it comes at a cost.
The Human Cosmos is a tour of this history: from the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux to Tahitian sailors navigating by the stars; from medieval monks grappling with the nature of time to Einstein realising that space and time are the same. It shows we need to rediscover the universe we inhabit, its effect on our health, and its potential for inspiration and revelation.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Human Cosmos by Jo Marchant is praised for its captivating exploration of humanity's evolving relationship with the cosmos, from ancient sky-watching to modern scientific inquiry. Reviewers commend Marchant's vivid storytelling, depth of research, and the connections she draws between astronomy, culture, and spirituality. Critics highlight how the book challenges readers to ponder human understanding beyond scientific knowledge and is compared favourably to influential works like Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781786894045
Publisher: Canongate Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 September 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Canongate Books
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 23.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 255g
Pages: 368
About the Author
Dr Jo Marchant is an award-winning science journalist. She has a PhD in genetics and medical microbiology from St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, and an MSc in Science Communication from Imperial College. She has worked as an editor at New Scientist and Nature, and her articles have appeared in the Guardian, Wired, Observer, New York Times and Washington Post. She is the author of Decoding the Heavens, shortlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books, and Cure, shortlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize.
@JoMarchant | jomarchant.com
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