Dava Sobel Livres

"Cosmos" explores the celestial panorama one step at a time and by illustrating the planets, moons, stars, nebulae, white dwarfs, black holes and other exotica that populate the heavens with over 450 of the most spectacular and up-to-date photographs and illustrations.

For over a millennium, Polynesians have inhabited the remote islands of the Pacific, a vast triangle from Hawaii to New Zealand to Easter Island. Before European explorers arrived, they were the sole inhabitants of these islands. Polynesians, both closely related and widely dispersed, trace their ancestry to epic voyagers who embarked on remarkable journeys across the ocean. The mystery of how these early Polynesians discovered and colonized such distant islands—without writing or metal tools—has puzzled scholars since the eighteenth century, known as the Problem of Polynesian Origins. This enigma is particularly personal for the author, whose Maori husband and sons descend from these ancient navigators. In this exploration, she delves into the rich history of these ancestors and the contributions of sailors, linguists, archaeologists, folklorists, biologists, and geographers who have sought to understand this legacy for three centuries. Blending history, geography, anthropology, and navigation science, the narrative offers a vivid tour of one of the world’s most intriguing regions, capturing the essence of Polynesian exploration and its significance in human history.

Focusing on the life and contributions of a groundbreaking female scientist, the book explores her significant impact on the field and highlights the lesser-known stories of the young women who trained in her laboratory. Through a blend of biography and historical context, it sheds light on their struggles and achievements, offering a fresh perspective on women's roles in science. The narrative emphasizes both the individual's legacy and the collective experiences of women in a male-dominated profession.

First published in 1996, Dava Sobel's story of an epic scientific quest - how to calculate longitude. The thorniest scientific problem of the day had occupied scientists and their patrons for the better part of two centuries until John Harrison dared to imagine a mechanical solution. The story encompasses astronomy, navigation and clockmaking.

Deemed by Albert Einstein as "the father of modern physics," Galileo Galilei was a revolutionary figure in science, known for his heretical views and groundbreaking discoveries. Dava Sobel, author of Longitude, presents an intimate biography through the 124 letters of Galileo's eldest daughter, Virginia, published for the first time in translation. Virginia, one of Galileo's three illegitimate children, was sent to the Convent of San Matteo at age 13, where she took the name Suor Maria Celeste. She recognized her father's brilliance and supported him unwaveringly during his trial by the Inquisition in 1633. Born in Pisa in 1564, Galileo defied his father's wishes to pursue medicine, choosing instead to study mathematics and philosophy. His career began at the University of Pisa and Padua, where he gained the patronage of the Medici Grand Dukes. His inventions, including the geometric compass and an improved telescope, led to significant discoveries, including four of Jupiter's moons. However, his advocacy for Copernicus's heliocentric theory brought him into conflict with the Church. Pope Urban VIII, once a friend, turned against him, leading to a trial and house arrest. Throughout this turmoil, Suor Maria Celeste remained a devoted daughter, caring for him from the convent and providing emotional and practical support until her untimely death at 27. This biography beautifully captures their profound relationship and the clash

After the huge national and international success of Longitude' and Gallileo's Daughter', Dava Sobel tells the human story of the nine planets of our solar system.

Named one of the best books of the month by various prestigious outlets, the work showcases Sobel's talent for detail and elegant prose. Critics praise her ability to illuminate the intricate web of individuals who contributed to our understanding of the stars, describing it as a joy to read. The narrative captures both scientific breakthroughs and the personal lives of pioneering women, highlighting how their achievements in astronomy and photography paralleled the progress of female empowerment. Sobel traces a remarkable line in American female achievement, vividly portraying the spirit of these early astronomers who began as 'human computers' at Harvard Observatory. The book serves as an inspiring tribute to these often-overlooked female pioneers and their contributions to science. Reviewers commend Sobel for interweaving professional accomplishments with personal insights, creating a compelling and emotional narrative. The work is described as sensitive, exacting, and filled with the wonder of discovery, showcasing Sobel's extraordinary skill in uncovering hidden stories of science. It is a feast for those eager to learn about resolute American women who expanded human knowledge, presented with grace, clarity, and historical context. Overall, the book is celebrated as a significant contribution to intellectual history and a captivating read.

By 1514, the reclusive cleric Nicolaus Copernicus had developed an initial outline of his heliocentric theory-in which he defied common sense and received wisdom to place the sun, and not the earth, at the center of our universe, and set the earth spinning among the other planets. Over the next two decades, Copernicus expanded his theory and compiled in secret a book-length manuscript that tantalized mathematicians and scientists throughout Europe. For fear of ridicule, he refused to publish. In 1539, a young German mathematician, Georg Joachim Rheticus, drawn by rumors of a revolution to rival the religious upheaval of Martin Luther's Reformation, traveled to Poland to seek out Copernicus. Two years later, the Protestant youth took leave of his aging Catholic mentor and arranged to have Copernicus's manuscript published, in 1543, as De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres)-the book that forever changed humankind's place in the universe. In her elegant, compelling style, Dava Sobel chronicles, as nobody has, the conflicting personalities and extraordinary discoveries that shaped the Copernican Revolution. At the heart of the book is her play "And the Sun Stood Still," imagining Rheticus's struggle to convince Copernicus to let his manuscript see the light of day.

In einer Zeit, als Edison mit seiner elektrischen Glühbirne für Aufsehen sorgte, begannen Frauen an der amerikanischen Ostküste, die Gestirne zu erkunden. In den 1880er-Jahren engagierte ein Professor der Harvard University Frauen als „Computer“ am Observatorium. Dazu gehörten nicht nur Angehörige von Astronomen, sondern auch Absolventinnen neuer Frauen-Colleges und leidenschaftliche Sternbeobachterinnen. Diese Frauen leisteten Erstaunliches: Williamina Fleming, eine ledige Mutter und ehemalige Haushälterin, entdeckte rund 300 Sterne, während Antonia Maury eine eigene Klassifikation der Planeten entwickelte, die als Grundstein der modernen Astrophysik gilt. Dennoch fanden nur wenige von ihnen später die verdiente Anerkennung. Dava Sobel widmet sich in ihrem neuen Buch dem Wirken dieser ambitionierten Wissenschaftlerinnen und setzt ihnen ein Denkmal. Die Autorin hat intensiv recherchiert und präsentiert ihre Erkenntnisse auf spannende und persönliche Weise. Sobels Werk sensibilisiert die Leser für historische Geschlechterungleichheiten in der Wissenschaft und zeigt, dass unser Wissen über den Nachthimmel auf den Verdiensten beider Geschlechter beruht. Es ist ein lebendiges Porträt fast vergessener Wissenschaftlerinnen, die entscheidend zur Entwicklung der Astrophysik beitrugen.