The author of the highly acclaimed Founding Gardeners now gives us an enlightening chronicle of the first truly international scientific endeavor—the eighteenth-century quest to observe the transit of Venus and measure the solar system. On June 6, 1761, the world paused to observe a momentous occasion: the first transit of Venus between the earth and the sun in more than a century. Through that observation, astronomers could calculate the size of the solar system—but only if they could compile data from many different points of the globe, all recorded during the short period of the transit. Overcoming incredible odds and political strife, astronomers from Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Sweden, and the American colonies set up observatories in remote corners of the world, only to have their efforts thwarted by unpredictable weather and warring armies. Fortunately, transits of Venus occur in pairs: eight years later, the scientists would have another opportunity to succeed. Chasing Venus brings to life the personalities of the eighteenth-century astronomers who embarked upon this complex and essential scientific venture, painting a vivid portrait of the collaborations, the rivalries, and the volatile international politics that hindered them at every turn. In the end, what they accomplished would change our conception of the universe and would forever alter the nature of scientific research.
Download and start listening now!
"One of the best history of science books I've read in a while. It's amazing how in the 18th century, this was the first international scientific collaboration. And how for the first time we learned how big our solar system was." — Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the best history of science books I've read in a while. It's amazing how in the 18th century, this was the first international scientific collaboration. And how for the first time we learned how big our solar system was."
" This is my kind of science/history book - what homeschool folk call "living books" - interesting, well-written, telling an important story. Science-y but not hard science. "
" Interesting book on the first large international scientific collaboration. The author did a good job of keeping everyone easy to follow, as the large cast of scientists went around the globe. "
" Great book. Fast read, good stuff. "
" It was just ok...too many players to get to know so it came off a little text-bookish for me. Might have been better to read than listen. "
" Interesting but a bit dry in places... "
" The story of the first cooperative effort of the world's scientists. Really interesting. "
" Recording the transit of Venus was a real challenge for the Enlightenment philosophers of the 1760s and this book gives a good nuts-and-bolts account of how they got it done. "
" Fun, but a little ponderous. "
" When I grow up, I plan to be more like Lalande, who "enjoyed public recognition and admitted to being an 'oilskin for insults and a sponge for praise'" (95-6). "
" This is so cool-only happens every 125 years or so-will be visible June 5 here-this book tells the personal and scientific stories of all the scientists who attempted to observe/map the transit in 1874... "
Andrea Wulf was born in India and moved to Germany as a child. She trained as a design historian at the Royal College of Art and is the author of Founding Gardeners, The Brother Gardeners, and Chasing Venus. She has written for the Sunday Times, Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times, and she regularly reviews for several newspapers, including the New York Times, the Guardian and the Times Literary Supplement.
Robin Sachs (1951–2013), actor and narrator, was raised in London and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His audiobook narrations earned ten Earphones Awards. His acting credits include Alias, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dynasty, Nowhere Man, Babylon 5, Diagnosis Murder, Galaxy Quest, Northfork, Ocean’s 11, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Megalodon.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.