The Horn Book Guide

SCIENCE

Farndon, John

From Ptolemy's Spheres to Dark Energy: Discovering the Universe

64 pp. | Heinemann | January, 2007 | Library ISBN 978-1-4034-9553-2 $34.29

(4) 4-6 Chain Reactions series. This simple history of astronomy uses clear language and uncomplicated explanations to present complex astronomical theories. Inexplicably, no non-Western astronomy is included, ignoring astronomical observations, catalogues, and scientific tools from China and India hundreds of years before rediscovery in the West. Though the pages are busy, the many photographs, illustrations, and sidebars provide useful context. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin