When the Sky Falls
A human history of shooting stars
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7 219 Ft (6 875 Ft + 5% VAT)
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7 219 Ft
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Product details:
- Publisher Batsford
- Date of Publication 3 September 2026
- Number of Volumes Hardback
- ISBN 9781837330652
- Binding Hardback
- No. of pages224 pages
- Size 216x135 mm
- Language English
- Illustrations 13 illustrations 700
Categories
Short description:
When the Sky Falls tells the story of the global cultural history of shooting stars from the prehistoric to the present day, exploring beliefs, superstitions, and the relationship between humanity and meteors throughout time.
MoreLong description:
'A burst of brilliance' – Cal Flyn
'Made me look at the night sky in a completely different way.' – Will Millard
When the Sky Falls is a global cultural history of shooting stars spanning from the prehistoric to the present day, and exploring beliefs, superstitions, and the relationship between humanity and meteors throughout time.
Structured across four parts – ‘Art, Culture and the Meteor’, ‘Utilising Space Rocks’, ‘Belief and Superstition’ and ‘Shooting Stars’ Influence on History’ – the book explores the varied influences the shooting star has had on our global culture and history from the governing of kings, queens and emperors, to folklore, superstitions, myths, art, music and literature, not to mention the various scientific advancements and applications that meteors have allowed.
In the present day – an era largely devoid of superstition and belief – more than anything else, a shooting star symbolises hope: an irrational excuse to make a wish in an increasingly rational world. Despite (or perhaps because of) light pollution decreasing our ability to witness the night sky in the 21st century, the shooting star retains its magic. For anyone – from the tired Russian drivers who witnessed the Chelyabinsk Event in 2013, to the amateur stargazer catching a glimpse of a falling Perseid – a shooting star tearing through the black still feels like a little miracle: this book tells their captivating story.
'A burst of brilliance. I learned so much from this beautiful book of stardust, skyfall and celestial symbology.' – Cal Flyn
MoreTable of Contents:
- Glossary
- Introduction
- Part One When the Star Falls to the Left: Belief, Lore and Superstition
- Part Two When the Stars are Smelted: Utilizing Heaven's Rocky Bodies
- Part Three When the City is a Star: Art, Culture and the Shooting Star
- Part Four When the Star Falls on the Moon: Shooting Stars' Influence on History
- Darkness Was the Universe Part I: Conclusion
- Darkness Was the Universe Part II: Epilogue
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- References
- Index
