This manual covers the "Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds," a significant work by Bernard de Fontenelle. Originally published in 1686, this edition is based on Elizabeth Gunning's 1808 translation, enhanced with new notes, illustrations, and an introduction. The book provides an accessible exploration of astronomy and contemporary scientific debates, addressing questions about the solar system and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It represents an accumulation of knowledge, incorporating Fontenelle's original ideas, astronomer Jérôme de Lalande's annotations, Gunning's translation, and modern explanations.
The purpose of this manual is to facilitate understanding and engagement with Fontenelle's seminal text. It details the historical context, scientific concepts, and literary aspects of the "Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds." The manual serves as a comprehensive resource for readers interested in the history of science, astronomy, gender studies, and educational history, offering insights into the evolution of scientific thought and societal perspectives on these subjects.
When Bernard de Fontenelle published the first edition of his Entretiens sur la Pluralité des Mondes in 1686, it was an immediate success. In an age when women, even those from the richest and most distinguished families, received little or no formal education, it offered an entertaining and accessible introduction to astronomy and some of the burning topics of the day. Does the earth really go around the sun? Are there other inhabited planets out there? If so, are the inhabitants like us or quite different? Is the moon itself inhabited? Is even the sun inhabited? Are there volcanoes on the moon? How hot is mercury? How long is a Venusian day? Will flying machines one day take us to the moon? Providing new notes, some illustrations and an introduction, this new Tiger of the Stripe edition is based on the 1808 edition of Elizabeth Gunning's translation, retaining the charm which was so essential for the book's success. Miss Gunning, a beautiful and talented novelist with a rather racy personal life, drew on an annotated French edition by the distinguished French astronomer, Jérôme de Lalande. This edition thus offers an interesting accretion of ideas, ranging from Fontenelle's 1686 edition and later revisions, Lalande's (sometimes rather critical) comments, Gunning's appropriately flowery translation, and our own explanations for the modern reader. It is, without doubt, a little gem.
Author: Fontenelle, Bernard Le Bovier
Publisher: Tiger of the Stripe
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds
Pages: 00000 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2011-11-05
SKU-13/ISBN: 9781904799030
Category: Science : Astronomy - General
Category: Social Science : Gender Studies
Category: Education : History
When Bernard de Fontenelle published the first edition of his Entretiens sur la Pluralité des Mondes in 1686, it was an immediate success. In an age when women, even those from the richest and most distinguished families, received little or no formal education, it offered an entertaining and accessible introduction to astronomy and some of the burning topics of the day. Does the earth really go around the sun? Are there other inhabited planets out there? If so, are the inhabitants like us or quite different? Is the moon itself inhabited? Is even the sun inhabited? Are there volcanoes on the moon? How hot is mercury? How long is a Venusian day? Will flying machines one day take us to the moon? Providing new notes, some illustrations and an introduction, this new Tiger of the Stripe edition is based on the 1808 edition of Elizabeth Gunning's translation, retaining the charm which was so essential for the book's success. Miss Gunning, a beautiful and talented novelist with a rather racy personal life, drew on an annotated French edition by the distinguished French astronomer, Jérôme de Lalande. This edition thus offers an interesting accretion of ideas, ranging from Fontenelle's 1686 edition and later revisions, Lalande's (sometimes rather critical) comments, Gunning's appropriately flowery translation, and our own explanations for the modern reader. It is, without doubt, a little gem.
Author: Fontenelle, Bernard Le Bovier
Publisher: Tiger of the Stripe
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds
Pages: 00000 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2011-11-05
SKU-13/ISBN: 9781904799030
Category: Science : Astronomy - General
Category: Social Science : Gender Studies
Category: Education : History
