The Planets Audiobook

" This is a combination of Historical, Scientific, and Mythical knowledge of the planets. Where as I find it over all interesting. Depending on which aspect the author is writing about it can be rather dry. Specifically when discussing the historical aspects. And I am a fan of history, it is just really hard to get through those sections. The Scientific and Mythical aspects seem much more in their realm or at least draw me in enough that I am not having to force my way through them. "

" Its a romantic/poetic account of the solar system. Disappointed - Had different expectations when I picked it up. "

" "Loved Galileo's Daughter. Liked Longitude very much. This one I'm flipping ahead and saying to myself 'Gee, 65 pages left...still on "us" and still have "nut" and "pie."'Not bad but inferior to the other Sobel efforts." "

" A fascinating history of how the planets were discovered. "

" Short account of planets, comets, Kuiper belt objects (including Pluto), written with amusing fictionalized bits. Bibliography "

" I guess you would call this Science very-light. It's a pleasnat book with a different technique for describing each of the planets from the view of a satellite, to a piece of Mars rock, to a short history of the person who discovered Uranus. Books like this make me want to spend more time paying attentin to current scientific developments and to look at photos from distant satellites. We miss too much. "

" Nice introduction to planetary astronomy. Adds depth and interest for the casual reader by framing its descriptions of the planets with detours through the influence of the planets on ancient mythology and astrology, as well as the modern post-Galileo history of astronomy and the discovery of the outer planets. Started a little slow for my taste but certainly a fun read and a good primer for those not already geeked out on astronomy like me. "

" Very little that was new and actually interesting, covered in a schmaltzy grandiose tone that rendered it unsavory. Rather have more science and less authorial poetry, at least if it is hers. "

" Not deep and slightly new-agey, but Sobel is an excellent writer and seriously, how can you go wrong with the solar system? A great intro to celestial studies. "

" Excellent presentation of complex scientific information in layman's terms and also with a flair of presentation. Sobel is a storyteller as well as a well-versed scientist and articulate writer. "

" Most of this nonfiction book was dryer than moon rocks. "

" little less scientific information than I wanted "

" Some book group members felt this book was so dull that it we replaced it with another book before the meeting. We were disappointed because we had loved Galileo's Daughter. "

" Not as good as "Longitude", but still very good. "

" I listened to it...this book was really interesting. The reader did a great job! The author included astrology, stories told from the point of view of famous historical people in the field, poetry, etc to make this not just a list of facts but an interesting read (or as I would suggest listen). "

" I'm not sure how this book ended up on my to-read list, but it was kind of a snore. Random facts about each planet, presented in a relatively un-scientific way. I just don't think it was my kind of thing... "

" Loved it! I like to read books where I can learn while also having an enjoyable read. This was one of those. Loved the historical perspective of the science. "

" Bit disjointed but enjoyed it nevertheless. "

" A nice mix of science, mythology, history, and poetry. "

" A fun refresh for me and a non-challenging intro for anyone wanting to know more about our solar home. Sobel works to weave some story into the science tho it is not the same read that "Longitude" was. "

" except for the chapter on music (which I really didn't get) this was a great book--full of trivia, science and information on the planets. She needs to do a sequel in light of poor Pluto's plight over the last several years. "

" This is a great quick read if you want an overview of what has been discovered to date about the planets without being weighed down by a lot of scientific data. "

" Very fun book. Simple but very informative. The reader is like a tourist taking a photo safari among the planets. "

" written by a total geek for planets and astronomy. definitely a different way of writing about them too. i dig. "

" A wonderful trip through the solar system. Just like in Longitude, the author spins a fantastic account of the planets. "

" A nice mix of science, mythology, history, and poetry. "

" Excellent presentation of complex scientific information in layman's terms and also with a flair of presentation. Sobel is a storyteller as well as a well-versed scientist and articulate writer. "

" fascinating, and now I finally get why Pluto was demoted from planet status *sigh* ... Lots of informative tidbits of info, scientific fascinations, etc. Definitely a Good Read 8) "

" Engaging look at the solar system's planets - the mythology of Mercury, the poetry of Venus, the sci-fi of Mars, and so on cummulating in the search for the unknown Planet X. "

" There have been so many changes that I feel like I have to restudy this field. So much that I know has changed and reading Nt'l Geographic hasn't done the job. "

" Had this on audio from the library, brilliant. Loved the tale about the guy who worked in Nasa showing a girlfriend he wanted to impress a tiny bit of the moon (how did he acquire that??) and when he turned his back, she swallowed it! Is she the only person ever to have eaten moon? "

" A fun refresh for me and a non-challenging intro for anyone wanting to know more about our solar home. Sobel works to weave some story into the science tho it is not the same read that "Longitude" was. "

" A demanding read, unless you're interested in mundane astronomical facts shrouded in grandiloquent vignettes devoted to astrology. Skip! "

" Its a romantic/poetic account of the solar system. Disappointed - Had different expectations when I picked it up. "