The Moon : A history for the future

by Oliver Morton

Hardcover, 2019

Status

Available

Publication

New York : Public Affairs, [2019]

Description

An intimate portrait of the Earth's closest neighbor--the Moon--that explores the history and future of humankind's relationship with it Every generation has looked towards the heavens and wondered at the beauty of the Moon. Fifty years ago, a few Americans became the first to do the reverse--and shared with Earth-bound audiences the view of their own planet hanging in the sky instead. Recently, the connection has been discovered to be even closer: a fragment of the Earth's surface was found embedded in a rock brought back from the Moon. And astronauts are preparing to return to the surface of the Moon after a half-century hiatus--this time to the dark side. Oliver Morton explores how the ways we have looked at the Moon have shaped our perceptions of the Earth: from the controversies of early astronomers such as van Eyck and Galileo, to the Cold War space race, to the potential use of the Moon as a stepping stone for further space exploration. Advanced technologies, new ambitions, and old dreams mean that men, women, and robots now seem certain to return to the Moon. For some, it is a future on which humankind has turned its back for too long. For others, an adventure yet to begin.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jfe16
An inclusive look at the Moon, investigating everything from its phases to its size and appearance, to its orbit, surface, and trajectories. Continuing, the author weaves together stories of visits, exposure, and imaginative tales penned by science fiction writers.

There have been instances of
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lunar meteorites found on Earth, bits of ejecta blasted from the Moon by impacts strong enough to create craters a few miles in diameter. And a recent examination of a lunar rock sample returned to Earth from the surface of the moon revealed an Earth fragment embedded in the rock. Clearly, there is a strong connection between the planet and its lone satellite.

From the days of the early astronomers to the future awaiting mankind, “Moon” explores the possibility of using the Moon as a stepping-off point for space exploration. As technology advances, new ideas meet old dreams and now, half a century since the Apollo astronauts walked on the lunar surface, NASA is once again planning a return to the moon. Has short-sightedness kept mankind away from the moon for too long? And what will new explorers find when they return?

“The Moon” includes sources and suggestions for further reading, references, and lunar illustrations. Particularly relevant as the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing approaches, readers are sure to find much to appreciate in this absorbing narrative.

Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member Paul_S
I've been trying to find a very similar book I've read in the past about the moon, which is almost identical: promises science and speculation and instead delivers cultural references. The other was mostly pop culture and this one is slightly more high-brow but it's still not what I'm interested
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in.

The author has some beef with Musk, Bezos and presumably anyone else who doesn't share his politics. I hate it that authors nowadays feels like I give a damn about their politics or that it's relevant to tell me how they feel. Maybe you should talk to a friend, not put it in a book? Write a newspaper column?
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Awards

Physics World Book of the Year (Shortlist — 2019)

Language

Barcode

11629
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