Scan barcode
A review by richardrbecker
American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World by David Baron
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
5.0
David Barron uses the total solar eclipse of 1878 (not 2024) as a metaphor for change in a country recovering from a Civil War and anxious to find its footing on the world's scientific stage. He notes many changes were taking place in America, from the final days of the frontier to the first semblance of women's suffrage and the eventual emergence of a new empire.
In doing so, he captures American adventurism as eclipse chasers head west, alone or in tight groups. Many of them hold a renowned place in history, including James Craig Watson, E.L. Trouvelot, Maria Mitchell, and, of course, Thomas Edison. While all of them had their own agendas — from looking for a new planet to testing a new invention that could potentially measure the heat from the sun to proving women had a place in astronomy — they all share a certain tenacity to brave uncertain weather conditions, Native Americans, and the wild west, complete with train robberies.
Barron covers it all, revealing a passion for American history as much as his modern enthusium for witnessing a total eclispe. More than that, his words are infectious, encouraging us all on to set three minutes aside to see this remarkable phenononon first hand not matter where in the world it might happen next. He rightly shares that in such moments, we come to terms with the vastness of the universe. And, although not meaning too, he conveys how we come to terms with the vastness of time as well — as they are one in the same.
Expect to learn about much more than one star. This book is five stars.
In doing so, he captures American adventurism as eclipse chasers head west, alone or in tight groups. Many of them hold a renowned place in history, including James Craig Watson, E.L. Trouvelot, Maria Mitchell, and, of course, Thomas Edison. While all of them had their own agendas — from looking for a new planet to testing a new invention that could potentially measure the heat from the sun to proving women had a place in astronomy — they all share a certain tenacity to brave uncertain weather conditions, Native Americans, and the wild west, complete with train robberies.
Barron covers it all, revealing a passion for American history as much as his modern enthusium for witnessing a total eclispe. More than that, his words are infectious, encouraging us all on to set three minutes aside to see this remarkable phenononon first hand not matter where in the world it might happen next. He rightly shares that in such moments, we come to terms with the vastness of the universe. And, although not meaning too, he conveys how we come to terms with the vastness of time as well — as they are one in the same.
Expect to learn about much more than one star. This book is five stars.