Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007. Reprint, stated first paperback edition. 8vo. Trade paperback, 331 pp including index. Finalist of the 2006 Independent Publisher Book Awards. "Here physicist David Park, the author of The Fire Within the Eye, takes us on a 4,000-year journey to illuminate the multitude of elaborate metaphysical "contraptions" by which humans in the Western world have imagined the earth they inhabit and what lies beyond. "There is no practical way, of course, to pack all human understanding into a single volume, and Park doesn't try. Instead, he traces our evolving lines of reasoning, at least those emerging in the Western world, from early myth through the emergence of modern philosophy to the establishment of scientific method. From person to person, period to period, Park threads together how myths were jettisoned for fact, how fact turned out to be more fabulous than myth." San Diego Union-Tribune "Bring Homer and Einstein, Aristotle and Columbus into one timeless room (with translators), and their conversation would likely turn to the themes of this astonishingly capacious history of cosmology: How do the stars and planets, the moon and the earth fit together? What is the human place in the grand scheme? Moving adroitly from the earliest biblical and Akkadian accounts of creation to the very latest scientific investigations of the dark energy that will finally pull the galaxies apart, Park weaves together the fascinating story of human efforts to fathom the universe. Joining, by turns, the voices of religious mystics, materialist philosophers, and quantum physicists, the story entails radical shifts in human perspective as philosophy replaces mythology and then science replaces philosophy. With lucid economy, Park chronicles the dramatic revolutions in cultural exchange and in technology that accelerated new thinking. Readers see, for instance, how thirteenth-century Franciscan emissaries to the Great Kahn hastened the exploration of the earth and how eighteenth-century telescopes allowed astronomers to start mapping the Milky Way. But for all the dramatic changes, Park limns remarkable continuities: Newton interprets his epoch-making discoveries by referring to revelations received by biblical patriarchs; twentieth-century environmentalists revive primal Earth Mother myths; pioneering astronomers revisit ancient Greek speculations about life on other planets. An exhilarating intellectual adventure." Booklist (starred review)" A new book.

N� de ref. del art�culo KT-B1142-04

Contactar al vendedor

Denunciar este art�culo

Detalles bibliogr�ficos

T�tulo

The Grand Contraption: The World as Myth, Number, and Chance

Editor

Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

Fecha de publicaci�n

2007

Idioma

Ingl�s

ISBN 10

0691130531

ISBN 13

9780691130538

Encuadernaci�n

Trade Paperback

Edici�n

Reprint

Estado

New

Cat�logos de vendedores

Acerca de

Sinopsis

The Grand Contraption tells the story of humanity’s attempts through 4,000 years of written history to make sense of the world in its cosmic totality, to understand its physical nature, and to know its real and imagined inhabitants. No other book has provided as coherent, compelling, and learned a narrative on this subject of subjects. David Park takes us on an incredible journey that illuminates the multitude of elaborate "contraptions" by which humans in the Western world have imagined the earth they inhabit--and what lies beyond. Intertwining history, religion, philosophy, literature, and the physical sciences, this eminently readable book is, ultimately, about the "grand contraption" we’ve constructed through the ages in an effort to understand and identify with the universe.

According to Park, people long ago conceived of our world as a great rock slab inhabited by gods, devils, and people and crowned by stars. Thinkers imagined ether to fill the empty space, and in the comforting certainty of celestial movement they discerned numbers, and in numbers, order. Separate sections of the book tell the fascinating stories of measuring and mapping the Earth and Heavens, and later, the scientific exploration of the universe.

The journey reveals many common threads stretching from ancient Mesopotamians and Greeks to peoples of today. For example, humans have tended to imagine Earth and Sky as living creatures. Not true, say science-savvy moderns. But truth isn’t always the point. The point, says Park, is that Earth is indeed the fragile bubble we surmise, and we must treat it with the reverence it deserves.

Acerca del autor

David Park is Webster Atwell-Class of 1921 Professor of Physics, Emeritus at Williams College. He is the author of seven previous books, including "The Fire within the Eye", a "New York Times" Notable Book of the Year in 1997, and "The How and the Why" (both Princeton).

"Sobre este t�tulo" puede pertenecer a otra edici�n de este libro.

Descripci�n de la librer�a

Welcome. Rose's Books (www.roses-books.com) has collections lovingly gathered over many years by resident readers & scholars. We have a wonderful collection of rare biographies, rare children's books, and modern first editions. We also stock history, literature, and special titles in the humanities and sciences. If you have quality books for sale, please contact us. Enjoy browsing our online store located on beautiful Cape Cod. We pride ourselves on treating customers the way we would wish to be treated.

Ver la p�gina web de la librer�a

Miembro de asociaci�n

Los miembros de estas asociaciones est�n comprometidos a mantener los est�ndares m�s altos. Ellos garantizan la autenticidad de los art�culos que ofrecen a la venta. Tienen descripciones expertas y detalladas, se�alan los defectos significativos y/o restauraciones, muestran los precios exactos y llevan a cabo un servicio de imparcialidad y honestidad durante la experiencia de la compra.

Informaci�n empresarial del vendedor

Rose's Books IOBA
MA, U.S.A.

Condiciones de venta y env�o

Condiciones de venta

We guarantee your satisfaction. PLEASE EMAIL US AT renee@roses-books.com for CUSTOMER SERVICE. For U.S. orders we ship by the method you have selected, always with Delivery Confirmation. A full refund will be issued, including return shipping, if book is not as described. Rose's Books Inc. is a USA s-corporation. Our business address is Rose's Books, Inc., 44 Old County Road, Harwich Port MA 02646. email: renee@roses-books.com. Tel: 508-432-1749. Fax: 508-632-0205. All communications may be sent...

M�s informaci�n

Derecho al desistimiento

Si es un consumidor, puede rescindir el contrato de acuerdo con lo siguiente. Por consumidor se entiende cualquier persona f�sica que act�e con fines ajenos a su actividad comercial, empresarial, oficio o profesi�n.

Informaci�n sobre el derecho de desistimiento

Derecho legal de desistimiento

Tiene derecho a rescindir este contrato en un plazo de 14 d�as sin dar ning�n motivo.

El periodo de desistimiento vencer� a los 14 d�as desde que usted, o un tercero que no sea el transportista e indicado por usted, adquiera la posesi�n f�sica del �ltimo bien o del �ltimo lote o pieza.

Para ejercer el derecho de desistimiento, complete de forma electr�nica y env�e una declaraci�n clara en nuestro sitio web, desde "Mis compras" en "Mi cuenta". Le enviaremos sin demora un acuse de recibo de dicho desistimiento a trav�s de un soporte duradero (por ejemplo, por correo electr�nico).

Para cumplir con el plazo de desistimiento, basta con que env�e su comunicaci�n relativa al ejercicio del derecho de desistimiento antes de que venza el periodo de desistimiento.

Efectos del desistimiento

Si rescinde este contrato, le reembolsaremos todos los pagos que hayamos recibido de usted, incluidos los gastos de env�o (excepto los gastos adicionales que surjan si elige un tipo de env�o que no sea el tipo de env�o est�ndar m�s econ�mico que ofrecemos).

Podemos hacer una deducci�n del reembolso por la p�rdida de valor de cualquier bien suministrado, si la p�rdida es el resultado de una manipulaci�n innecesaria por su parte.

Efectuaremos el reembolso sin demoras indebidas y, a m�s tardar, 14 d�as despu�s de que se nos informe de su decisi�n de rescindir este contrato.

Efectuaremos el reembolso utilizando el mismo medio de pago que utiliz� para la transacci�n inicial, a menos que haya acordado expresamente lo contrario; en cualquier caso, no incurrir� en ning�n cargo como resultado de dicho reembolso.

Podremos retener el reembolso hasta que hayamos recibido los bienes o hasta que nos haya presentado una prueba de que los ha devuelto, lo que ocurra primero.

Deber� devolver los bienes o entregarlos a Rose's Books IOBA, Harwich Port, Massachusetts, U.S.A., sin demoras indebidas y, en cualquier caso, en un plazo m�ximo de 14 d�as a partir del d�a en que nos comunique su desistimiento del presente contrato. El plazo se cumple si devuelve la mercanc�a antes de que venza el periodo de 14 d�as. Tendr� que asumir los gastos directos de devoluci�n de los bienes. Usted solo es responsable de la disminuci�n del valor de los bienes como resultado de una manipulaci�n distinta a la necesaria para establecer la naturaleza, las caracter�sticas y el funcionamiento de los bienes.

Excepciones al derecho de desistimiento

El derecho de desistimiento no se aplica a lo siguiente:

La entrega de peri�dicos, diarios o revistas, con la excepci�n de los contratos de suscripci�n; y
El suministro de contenido digital que no se proporcione en un soporte tangible (por ejemplo, en un CD o DVD) si, al hacer el pedido, acept� que pod�amos empezar a entregarlo y que no podr�a desistir una vez iniciada la entrega.

Condiciones de env�o

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Tarifas de env�o en Estados Unidos de America

Tarifas de env�o en Estados Unidos de America
Cantidad del pedido	De 5 a 14 d�as h�biles	De 3 a 6 d�as h�biles
Primer art�culo	EUR 5.25	EUR 7.87

Los plazos de entrega los establecen los vendedores y var�an seg�n el transportista y la ubicaci�n. Los pedidos que pasan por la aduana pueden sufrir retrasos y los compradores son responsables de los aranceles o tarifas asociadas. Los vendedores pueden ponerse en contacto con usted en relaci�n con cargos adicionales para cubrir cualquier aumento en los costes de env�o de los art�culos.