Moon

An entertaining, often surprising cultural examination of Earths moon, through history, science, and literature, from ancient times to the present Werewolves and Wernher von Braun, Stonehenge and the sex lives of sea corals, aboriginal myths, and an Anglican bishop: In his new book, Moon, Bernd Brunner weaves variegated information into an enchanting glimpse of Earths closest celestial neighbor, whose mere presence inspires us to wonder what might be out there. Going beyond the discoveries of contemporary science, Brunner presents an unusual cultural assessment of our complex relationship with Earths lifeless, rocky satellite. As well as offering an engaging perspective on such age-old questions as What would Earth be like without the moon? Brunner surveys the moons mythical and religious significance and provokes existential soul-searching through a lunar lens, inquiring, Forty years ago, the first man put his footprint on the moon. Will we continue to use it as the screen onto which we cast our hopes and fears? Drawing on materials from different cultures and epochs, Brunner walks readers down a moonlit path illuminated by more than seventy-five vintage photographs and illustrations. From scientific discussions of the moons origins and its chronobiological effects on the mating and feeding habits of animals to an illuminating interpretation of Bishop Francis Godwins 1638 novel The Man in the Moone, Brunners ingenious and interdisciplinary explorations recast a familiar object in an entirely original and unforgettable light and will change the way we view the nighttime sky.