Moon: A Brief History - Hardcover

Bernd Brunner is a freelance writer. He is the author of other successful works intersecting history, science, and literature, including Bears and The Ocean at Home.

"[An] elegant cultural history. . . .Brunner ably dispatches recent science . . . and takes us on a lively tour of lunar folklore and speculative fiction."—The New Yorker (The New Yorker 2011-01-03)

“. . . a nimble, fast-moving survey of the silvery moon’s impact upon us and our world. Brunner looks at the moon’s influence upon tides, of course, and also its place in early psychology, the occult, popular culture and as a necessary first step on humanity’s journey to Mars.”—Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times (Nick Owchar Los Angeles Times 2011-03-09)

"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) (Kate Saunders The Times (London))

"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 (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 (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 (James Trefil Washington Post 2011-01-03)

"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 (Greg McNamee Kirkus Reviews 2010-12-03)

"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 (CHOICE)

“... one will find here a feast of historical connection and reactions to the moon.” —San Francisco Book Review (San Francisco Book Review)

“...a nimble, fast-moving survey of the silvery moon’s impact upon us and our world. Brunner looks at the moon’s influence upon tides, of course, and also its place in early psychology, the occult, popular culture and as a necessary first step on humanity’s journey to Mars.” —Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times (Nick Owchar Los Angeles Times)