The Comet Sweeper (Icon Science): Caroline Herschel's Astronomical Ambition
(Part of the Icon Science Series)
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
Having escaped domestic servitude in Germany by teaching herself to sing, and established a career in England, Caroline Herschel learned astronomy while helping her brother William, then Astronomer Royal.
Soon making scientific discoveries in her own right, she swept to international scientific and popular fame. She was awarded a salary by George III in 1787 - the first woman in Britain to make her living from science.
But, as a woman in a male-dominated world, Herschel's great success was achieved despite constant frustration of her ambitions. Drawing on original sources - including Herschel's diaries and her fiery letters - Claire Brock tells the story of a woman determined to win independence and satisfy her astronomical ambition.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1785781669
ISBN13:9781785781667
Release Date:January 2017
Publisher:Icon Books
Length:304 Pages
Weight:0.86 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 5.0" x 7.7"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Thorough and Well Balanced Biography
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Caroline Herschel is a fascinating scientific pioneer as well as the overshadowed runt of a litter of German musical/military children, and this biography presents plenty of documentary evidence to back up its assertions. It is accurately and admirably researched from the source material, fascinating to read and easy to digest. The book is easy to read in one sitting, despite its size and heft. The paper is so thick and the margins are so large that a condensed edition would be more appropriate.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
