Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax"
by Philip C. Plait
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Book Summary Information
Author: Philip C. PlaitEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2002-03-01
ISBN: 0471409766
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Wiley
Book Reviews of Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax"
Book Review: Maybe I read a different book
Summary: 2 Stars
I am amazed by all these five star reviews.
I admit the subject matter is very interesting and so I picked up the book. I was,however, astounded by the verboseness of the exaplanations. Maybe the book is meant for readers with little or no background in science, I do not know.
Take for example, the chapter on tides. A simple explanation would be that the centrifugal force acting on the far side of the earth causes tides on that side, whereas moon's gravity tugging at earth produces the same effect on the near side. Instead, the author goes on a tangent, introducing extraneous topics like negative gravity and weightlessness.
Two stars for the briiliant idea behind the book, but nothing else.
Not recommended.
More Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax" reviews:
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Summary of Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax"
Advance praise for Philip Plait s Bad Astronomy"Bad Astronomy is just plain good! Philip Plait clears up every misconception on astronomy and space you never knew you suffered from." --Stephen Maran, Author of Astronomy for Dummies and editor of The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia
"Thank the cosmos for the bundle of star stuff named Philip Plait, who is the world s leading consumer advocate for quality science in space and on Earth. This important contribution to science will rest firmly on my reference library shelf, ready for easy access the next time an astrologer calls." --Dr. Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for Scientific American, and author of The Borderlands of Science
"Philip Plait has given us a readable, erudite, informative, useful, and entertaining book. Bad Astronomy is Good Science. Very good science..." --James "The Amazing" Randi, President, James Randi Educational Foundation, and author of An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural
"Bad Astronomy is a fun read. Plait is wonderfully witty and educational as he debunks the myths, legends, and 'conspiracies that abound in our society. 'The Truth Is Out There' and it's in this book. I loved it!" --Mike Mullane, Space Shuttle astronaut and author of Do Your Ears Pop in Space?
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