Astronomy Across Cultures: A History of Non-WesternAstronomy consists of essays dealing with the astronomicalknowledge and beliefs of cultures outside the United States andEurope. In addition to articles surveying Islamic,Chinese,NativeAmerican,Aboriginal Australian,Polynesian,Egyptian and Tibetanastronomy,among others,the book includes essays on Sky Tales and WhyWe Tell Them and Astronomy and Prehistory,and Astronomy andAstrology. The essays address the connections between science andculture and relate astronomical practices to the cultures whichproduced them. Each essay is well illustrated and contains anextensive bibliography. Because the geographic range is global,thebook fills a gap in both the history of science and in culturalstudies. It should find a place on the bookshelves of advancedundergraduate students,graduate students,and scholars,as well as inlibraries serving those groups.
MEDIA REVIEWS
Publisher: SpringerISBN: 9780792363637Number of pages: 665Weight: 2510 gDimensions: 235 x 155 mmEdition: 2000 ed.
MEDIA REVIEWS
`This book has wide-ranging essays on the astronomiesof the ancient world (other than Greek and Mesopotamian which aretraditionally taken to be the forerunners of Western astronomy). Thebook is steeply priced,but it is worth it.' from: Amazon.com `Recommended.' Choice,38:10 (2001) `...it is a distinct pleasure to read the book from beginning toend.' Mathematical Reviews,2002c `Astronomy across Cultures is a good resource for advancedstudents or faculty members who wish to learn of non-Westernastronomical thought. The editor has assembled a coherent collectionof chapters covering a wide variety of cultures and time periods. Thiswork greatly expands the scope and coverage of the Encyclopaedia ofthe History of Science,Technology,and Medicine in Non-WesternCultures,ed. by Helaine Selin,from the same publisher (CH,Jan'98). Substantial chapter bibliographies; very good index.'Choice,June 2001
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