An intimate portrait of the Earth's closest neighbor--the Moon--that explores the history and future of humankind's relationship with it
Every generation has looked towards the heavens and wondered at the beauty of the Moon. Fifty years ago, a few Americans became the first to do the reverse---and Earth-bound audiences shared their view of their own planet hanging in the sky instead. In this short but wide-ranging book, Oliver Morton explores the history and future of humankind's relationship with the Moon from the earliest astronomers such as van Eyck and Galileo through the first space flights and anticipating next phase of our interaction with the Moon, as a portal and stepping stone to further space exploration. The Moon's gentle light has spoken of love and loneliness; its battered surface of death and the cosmic. For some, it is a future on which humankind has turned its back. For others, an adventure yet to begin. Advanced technologies, new ambitions and old dreams mean that men, women and robots now seem certain to return to the Moon. What will they learn there about the universe, the Earth-and themselves? And, this time, will they stay?
"The Moon is such a fascinating object in human history. From its dominance in our neighboring sphere, to its romantic impetus, to its symbol of national stature, to its position as a mere stepping stone to greater exploits, the Moon has been omnipresent in the human sky. And no book about the Moon that I've ever read captures the multifaceted nature of the Moon as does Oliver Morton's The Moon. A
Rusty Schweickart, lunar module pilot, Apollo IX
"A multidisciplinary triumph, combining a deep understanding of science fiction and myth with accurate, up-to-date lunar science and space technology."
David Morrison, founding director, NASA Lunar Science Institute
"Beautifully written: evocative, witty, and truly informative. I thought I knew a lot about the Moon but I nonetheless learned all sorts of fascinating new things, and thoroughly enjoyed myself doing so. Combining science and science fiction is not easy and Oliver Morton manages it seamlessly and brilliantly! Superb."
Adam Roberts, author of The
Palgrave History of Science Fiction and The Thing Itself
