"A treasure trove detailing the human history of shooting stars awaits in this loveliest of books, it would make a perfect gift for others or yourself as it explores the wonder that appears from the skies."
What a treasure this is! From the title, the cover, and the artwork, to the fascinating words contained within, this is a gorgeous book detailing our human history with shooting stars. Author Jade Angeles Fitton leads you into the most wonderful world, from the art and culture, belief and superstition, science and progressive energy, to the use of propaganda and PR to great effect, the shooting star has had and will continue to have a huge influence on humanity.
I’ve been fascinated by our night sky since I spent a number of months in the Santa Barbara mountains in California sleeping on a camp bed outdoors, and thrilled when I saw my first shooting star. There is something magical about lying down and looking up at that vast space above us and I will admit to pushing my way to the front of the queue to review this book.
The author describes her personal connection, knowledge, and research with a beautiful eloquence: “…I stopped the car and watched open-mouthed as its brightness increased, becoming a flare of white-green, before disappearing, leaving the crisp night black and silent, as if it had never been there. It was a rogue, an imp in the uniform march of time”.
So, not only do you gather in history, tidbits and information galore, you also feel the love, which in turn makes you want to look up and out and experience the wonder. The artwork for this book has been chosen with great thought and care and it’s beautiful.
Illustrator Joe McLaren is a particular favourite of mine, and it is highly likely you will have seen his artwork gracing the cover and internal pages of books before (particularly if you love folk, myth, and fantasy). The quirky prints fit perfectly within the pages and help to connect to humanity’s relationship with meteorites.
There are very helpful pages including locations of dark sky zones around the world, a glossary, and details of comets’ return dates. This very appropriately joins our list of LoveReading Star Books, and is also a pick of the month, it would make a lovely gift for anyone interested in science, nature, history, folklore, or just the wonder of our world and beyond. Recommended with my heart and soul, When the Sky Falls is quite simply glorious.
When the Sky Falls is a global cultural history of shooting stars spanning from the prehistoric to the present day, and exploring beliefs, superstitions, and the relationship between humanity and meteors throughout time.
| Primary Genre | Popular Science |
| Other Genres: | |
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When the Sky Falls is a global cultural history of shooting stars spanning from the prehistoric to the present day, and exploring beliefs, superstitions, and the relationship between humanity and meteors throughout time. Structured across four parts - 'Art, Culture and the Meteor', 'Utilising Space Rocks', 'Belief and Superstition' and 'Shooting Stars' Influence on History' - the book explores the varied influences the shooting star has had on our global culture and history from the governing of kings, queens and emperors, to folklore, superstitions, myths, art, music and literature, not to mention the various scientific advancements and applications that meteors have allowed.
When the Sky Falls features in the following genres: Book Club Recommendations, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Non-Fiction Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Gift Books, History, Nature and the natural world: general interest, Popular Science, Popular beliefs and controversial knowledge, Astronomy, space and time, History, Mathematics and Science, Astronomy, space and time, History and Archaeology
Hardback. £14.39, down from the £15.99 cover price. In Stock.
When the Sky Falls was written by Jade Angeles Fitton and published by Batsford Books
When the Sky Falls has 224 pages
£14.39, reduced from £15.99. In Stock.
