Moon A Brief History

Astronomers, geologists, rocketeers and space jockeys all have a practical interest in the Moon, but earthbound mortals look up and project all their fears and fantasies on to its pale surface. Without it our tides would not ebb and flow, our poetry would be the poorer, our nights would be dark and we would not believe in werewolves baying in the fullness of its face. We know perfectly well that the Moon is a cold, rocky, lifeless little satellite, but where's the romance in that? Brunner shows how it has shone silver through our dreams and destinies. It is the inspiration for myths and marvels and may be a kicking-off point for a further jump into space.
- Kate Saunders, The Times (London)

"Brunner encapsulates this sense of mystery about the moon in a relative short and accessible work. A useful introduction to its cultural history."
- Roger Launius, Senior Curator, Division of Space History, National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian Institution

"Eclectic, entertaining and sometimes esoteric!"
- Sean Johnston, author of "History of Science, A Beginner's Guide"

"'Moon' is an enjoyable romp through the various fields of lunar lore, including its history as an object of curiosity, worship, and study. Fun and fast-paced!"
- Dr. Paul D. Spudis, author of "The Once and Future Moon"

"An intriguing literary expedition to our nearest neighbor in space."
- Patricia Fara, author of "Science: A Four Thousand Year History"

"Brunner's perky cultural history - of the Moon in superstition, song, and indeed science - encompasses many wonderful things both imaginary (inhabitants including man-bats or cat-women) and actual (strange lights known as "lunar transient phenomena", or the burial on the Moon of an American geologist's ashes)."
- Steven Poole, The Guardian

"Readable and appealingly illustrated."
- The Bookseller

"There are plenty of arresting facts and ideas, and it is these that will give Moon its appeal to readers of popular science and history."
- Lorien Kaye, The Age

"This appealing little volume must surely be the most eccentric book of the year. But then isn't that appropriate, given that the subject is the Moon?"
- Clive Aslet, Country Life

"In his new book, 'Moon', Brunner weaves variegated information into an enchanting glimpse of Earth's closest celestial neighbor[...]Brunner's 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."
- Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

"I deeply recommend this book to anyone who has ever looked for The Man in the Moon, and wondered, even for a moment, why it has taken us so long to consider going back for a return visit."
- Brad Wright, Portland Book Review

"In Bernd Brunner's[...]volume dealing with the moon, we are plunged immediately into a fascinating tour of the moon in ancient cultures[...]well written,[...]full of fascinating bits of information."
- James Trefil, Washington Post

"Bernd Brunner serves up a learned but fluently written almanac of things lunar, with less emphasis on the science of the whirling orb than on the uses we have made of it in art, literature, folklore and the imagination over time."
- Greg McNamee, Kirkus Reviews

"Many books cover moon science; many others concentrate on the mythology, folklore, and cultural aspects surrounding it. Brunner's does this and more, giving readers a thorough, entertaining look at people as much as at the moon. ... A valuable book for anyone with an interest in Earth's companion."
- CHOICE

"The book is a tour de force on the relationship between man and the moon, giving equal attention to science, poetry, and mythology, while still including a welcome body of miscellanea. It quickly becomes clear that the scientific history of the moon is inseparable from the popular ideas of its composition and also that now and then even serious scientists develop especially curious projections far in advance of literary fantasy when describing the lunar inhabitants."
- Tilman Spreckelsen, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

"Brunner is a good non-fiction author for a broad readership. He refrains from pelting us with technical terms, while still giving the impression that he has a good command of his topic. He is particularly attracted to the relationships between nature and culture. [...]He often manages to provide vivid descriptions: he lets scientists from several centuries speak about the moon, tells stories of healing and ritual regarding the night's heavenly body, and dovetails the history of the moon film with the Cold War."
- Lars von der G#nna, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung