The Human Cosmos: A Secret History Of The Stars

For most of human history, we have led not just an earthly existence but a cosmic one. Celestial cycles drove every aspect of our daily lives. Our innate relationship with the stars shaped who we are - our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. But over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And that disconnect comes at a cost.

In The Human Cosmos Jo Marchant takes us on a tour through the history of humanity's relationship with the heavens. We travel to the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux and witness the winter solstice at a 5,000-year-old tomb at Newgrange. We visit Medieval monks grappling with the nature of time and Tahitian sailors navigating by the stars. We discover how light reveals the chemical composition of the sun, and we are with Einstein as he works out that space and time are one and the same. A four-billion-year-old meteor inspires a search for extraterrestrial life. And we discover why stargazing can be really, really good for us.

It is time for us to rediscover the full potential of the universe we inhabit, its wonder, its effect on our health, and its potential for inspiration and revelation.

'Vast in scope and meticulously researched this brilliant book traces humanity's enduring relationship with our physical and cultural ancestors: the stars. Full of fascinating stories, Jo Marchant weaves astronomy with astrology, mathematical physics with gods and spirits. It made me question my reality and left me starstruck' - * author of Transcendence and Adventures in the Anthropocene *

'Marchant's vast and fascinating story packs in plenty of human detail . . . inspiring and persuasive' - * Guardian *

'Humans have always been fascinated by the stars. But why are we so drawn to these celestial objects? Jo Marchant reveals this historical relationship through beautifully told stories, of gods and spirits, mathematicians and physicists . . . The Human Cosmos is not just a pleasure to read, it's one you'll want to share with everyone you know who is interested in astronomy' - * BBC Science Focus *

'Marchant is a deft writer. Her characters are vivid, and her stories flow. The unexpected connections she makes . . . are often quite satisfying . . . A reminder that the forces that shape humanity far precede modern people and will persist long after we're gone' - * New York Times *

'A thought-provoking look at how fascination with the heavens has shaped human culture, and still does' - * Economist, Book of the Year *

'An extensively researched and fascinating book . . . The reader will find much that is new and intriguing in The Human Cosmos . . . ought to be essential reading' - * Journal of the British Astronomical Association *

'Science journalist Marchant explores the relationship between humans and the celestial in this luminous and fascinating journey through science, religion, culture and everything in between' - * Newsweek *

'A unique and mind-expanding enquiry . . . a tour de force on par with Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari' - * Booklist (starred review) *

SPECIFICATIONS:

Author:Joe Marchant - Джо Марчант

Publisher:Canongate Books

Language:English

Publication Date:2020

Number of pages:368 pst

Format:Hardcover

Width:144 mm / 5,7'

Height:220 mm / 8,7'

Weight:466 g

ISBN:9781786894021