{"product_id":"the-general-history-of-astronomy-volume-2-planetary-astronomy","title":"The General History of Astronomy: Volume 2 - Planetary Astronomy","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The General History of Astronomy: Volume 2, Planetary Astronomy from the Renaissance to the Rise of Astrophysics, the bottom line is clear: this is a scholarly, detail-rich volume for readers who want a deep historical synthesis of celestial mechanics and observational advances from the 17th through 19th centuries. The book's chief appeal is its balanced combination of biographical context and technical development, tracing how Newton's inverse-square law was received and how mathematical celestial mechanics advanced through Clairaut, Euler, LeVerrier, Newcomb, Hill, and Poincare. For historians of science and advanced students, it serves as a reliable, single-source narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulti-author scholarship:\u003c\/strong\u003e Twelve contributors bring focused expertise so chapters reflect specialist knowledge across periods and topics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e The reception of Newton and subsequent debates are explained clearly to show how ideas spread and evolved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCelestial mechanics emphasis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed attention to mathematical development from Clairaut and Euler to Poincare helps readers follow theoretical progress.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservation and theory balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters highlight key observational discoveries alongside theoretical advances to illustrate their rapprochement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical detail:\u003c\/strong\u003e Short studies of major astronomers illuminate the interactions and intellectual context behind discoveries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis volume is best for academic readers, graduate students, and serious amateurs who want a deep, historically grounded account of planetary astronomy and celestial mechanics. Readers with prior knowledge of basic physics or mathematics will get the most from the discussions of Newtonian and post-Newtonian theory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking an introductory popular history or a heavily illustrated coffee-table book should look elsewhere; this text is focused on scholarly narrative and technical development rather than broad popularization or extensive visual material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthoritative multi-author approach provides specialist insight across chapters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear coverage of the reception of Newton's law makes the intellectual history accessible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong focus on the evolution of mathematical celestial mechanics offers depth for researchers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot intended as a beginner-friendly popular account, so some chapters assume prior technical background.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe General History of Astronomy: Volume 2, Planetary Astronomy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubtitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanetary Astronomy from the Renaissance to the Rise of Astrophysics (Part B)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\/Authors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRene Taton, Curtis Wilson, Michael Hoskin; twelve contributing authors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistory of celestial mechanics and observational discovery, 18th-19th centuries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReception of Newton; Clairaut, Euler, LeVerrier, Newcomb, Hill, Poincare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEmphasis on mathematical theory with chapters on observational rapprochement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe General History of Astronomy: Volume 2 is a worthwhile purchase for historians of science and advanced students who need a compact, expert synthesis of planetary astronomy from the Renaissance through the rise of astrophysics. Its multi-author structure and emphasis on mathematical development make it good value as a reference and course supplement, though casual readers may find the technical chapters demanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this volume focus on biographies or theory?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. It balances both, supplying biographical context while giving substantial attention to the mathematical theory of celestial mechanics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior mathematical knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. Some chapters assume familiarity with basic mechanics and mathematical methods, so prior background helps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho contributed to the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The volume is edited\/compiled under Rene Taton, Curtis Wilson and Michael Hoskin and contains chapters by twelve different specialist authors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rene Taton, Curtis Wilson, Michael Hoskin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48767264325851,"sku":"0521120098","price":74.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71CcShOpbSL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778625898","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-general-history-of-astronomy-volume-2-planetary-astronomy","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}