- Hardcover: 348 pages
- Publisher: Tor Books (1 April 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312859341
- ISBN-13: 978-0312859343
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 14.5 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,206,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"Richard Garfinkle has taken the implication of ancient Greek science to their logical extremes in a hard science fiction novel of astonishing dimension....Rigorously conceived and outrageously executed, Celestial Matters will leave any lover of speculative fiction with a sufficiency--perhaps even a surfeit--of sanguine humor."--"The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction"
"This is hard science fiction with a difference, the difference being that the hard sciences are Ptolemaic astronomy and Aristotelian physics and biology. Garfinkle works out the implication inherent in them as rigorously as any writer has done with implications of, say, quantum mechanics. He also works out those implication most entertainingly, setting them in a fast-paced plot with lively, well-differentiated characters. You won't find anything like this one anytime soon."--Harry Turtledove
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"This is hard science fiction with a difference, the difference being that the hard sciences are Ptolemaic astronomy and Aristotelian physics and biology. Garfinkle works out the implication inherent in them as rigorously as any writer has done with implications of, say, quantum mechanics. He also works out those implication most entertainingly, setting them in a fast-paced plot with lively, well-differentiated characters. You won't find anything like this one anytime soon."--Harry Turtledove
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Synopsis
IN
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
This book is written on the completely mad premise that Aristotle's physics and astronomy were completely accurate. I don't usually read science fiction, but I had to try this after reading a bit of Aristotle. The fiction is not 'literature', but there are characters and plot ... and crazy inventions that make you think! I imagine philosophy students after a bit of light relief will take to this as a combination of humour and revision.
Format:Paperback
Many people attempt "alternate histories" and yet few, aside from Turtledove and now Garfinkle, have done enough of their homework to make it plausible. Set in an alternate world at an indeterminate time (I suppose you could work it out if you knew the Athenian dating system better), Greece and the Middle Kingdom have been locked in war for generations, nay centuries -- consider this the ultimate Western Logic versus Eastern Vision division to ever come along. Garfinkle understands Aristotlean physics and takes its implications to their greatest "logical" extreme, such as a gun that fires a bolt capable of halting forward motion, thus causing an airborne craft to seek its natural place amongst the elements (metal falls to earth). Due to friend's input, I learn that his knowledge of Taoist physics, while slighter, is also sound. The flight to and through the celestial spheres is exciting, well concieved, and plausible given the science base of the era. Even more important, however, is the development of the characters. Each is fully rounded, lovingly crafted, and a true joy to journey with. One can only hope that he writes more, not in the same world, but in the same vein. This is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read!
Format:Paperback
Set in a world where Alexander the Great's empire has lasted 1,000 years and Ptolemeic speculations are scientific fact, this is part alternate-history, part alternate-science. The story concerns a celestial ship (spaceship) of the Delian league (who control the world from India to halfway across the Americas) which is embarking on a mission to gather a piece of the sun in order to use it as a sort of atomic bomb against the capital of the Middle Kingdom (an oriental empire which they have been at constant war with). Written as the testimony of a co-captain of the ship, the story relates this adventure, complete with scheming, betrayals, setbacks, and crises of faith, while also presenting a vivid and interesting alternate world. Enjoyment would be aided by a solid understanding of the beliefs (scientific and otherwise) of the ancient Greeks, but should be enjoyable for anyone.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best book I have ever read.
This book, I think, is done beautifully. I believe everything about this book is perfectly done. i suggest this book to anyone. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 1998
Absolute Winner
Fantastic story, with odd and unexpected plot twists. It was a real page turner. I highly recommend this.
Published on 5 Nov 1997
Interesting Science Fantasy
"Celestial Matters" is an interesting book. It is not really science fiction, but it is also not fantasy. I think of it as science fantasy. Read more
Published on 16 Aug 1997
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
