Patrick Moore: The Autobiography
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The man behind the much-loved, larger-than-life personality; not only an astronomer but also a self-taught musician and talented composer, and passionate supporter of cricket.
About the Author
Over his illustrious life, Patrick has received a whole host of prestigious accolades. In 2001 Patrick received a knighthood from the Queen, won a BAFTA for his services to television and became a member of the celebrated Royal Society. Astronomy remains his first love and his enthusiasm for the subject shows no sign of dwindling as he enters his 82nd year.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the best read I have had for years! This marvellous Autobiography certainly depicts Sir Patrick's truly amazing character. This new and revised paperback is full of phenomenal stories and memories. My favourite part of the book is when Sir Patrick describes his meeting with Albert Einstein:
"Einstein was a talented violinist, and on this occasion he had a violin with him ... Pressed to show his skill, he said that he needed an accompanist. There was a piano to hand - and so there was Einstein playing Saint-Saens' Swan to my accompaniment."
When reading the Autobiography, I felt as though I was actually speaking with Patrick; it is remarkable the way his character shines through in the book - a shining star! All in all this is a fascinating and entertaining book, which would suit anyone who loves a good read!
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fascinating, informative and highly-entertaining book which conveys the passion and humanity of its illustrious author. Moore writes authoratively about astronomy but the book always remains accessible to the average reader. When explaining why only rockets can be used for flight above the top of the atmosphere, he writes:
"Aircraft depend upon having air around them, and there is not much air above a few tens of miles, so that aircraft won't work. Rockets, on the other hand, depend upon what Isaac Newton called the "principle of reaction", every action has an equal and opposite reaction, so that a rocket will, so to speak, push against itself. If this baffles you, blow up a balloon and then suddenly let the air rush out. The balloon will shoot across the room, because it is being pushed by the air streaming out of its exhaust. In a rocket, a jet of gas is produced by a special kind of motor, usually involving a "fuel" and a "propellant", which when mixed together generate heat and send the gases out through the rocket exhaust."
However, the author's attention is not reserved exclusively for extra-terrestrial matters. He describes his fanaticism for cricket and humourously refers to his " curious leg-breaks, delivered at medium pace off a long, kangaroo-hop run and a cartwheel action". I especially enjoyed a delicious chapter entitled "The Tale of Mr Twitmarsh" in which he relishes in mocking incompetent bureaucracy. Forthright views on foxhunting and the European Union also reveal a man who is very much interested in current affairs. Yet the book reveals pathos, too. Patrick has remained a reluctant bachelor following the death of Lorna, " the only girl for me", killed by the Nazis in 1943.
I found this book compelling. It modestly sets its author in the context of the twentieth century and I was fascinated by Moore's decription of his meetings with famous individuals, including Orville Wright, the pioneering aviator, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first men on the moon, Einstein, H G Wells, Rachmaninov and The Beatles.
"Aircraft depend upon having air around them, and there is not much air above a few tens of miles, so that aircraft won't work. Rockets, on the other hand, depend upon what Isaac Newton called the "principle of reaction", every action has an equal and opposite reaction, so that a rocket will, so to speak, push against itself. If this baffles you, blow up a balloon and then suddenly let the air rush out. The balloon will shoot across the room, because it is being pushed by the air streaming out of its exhaust. In a rocket, a jet of gas is produced by a special kind of motor, usually involving a "fuel" and a "propellant", which when mixed together generate heat and send the gases out through the rocket exhaust."
However, the author's attention is not reserved exclusively for extra-terrestrial matters. He describes his fanaticism for cricket and humourously refers to his " curious leg-breaks, delivered at medium pace off a long, kangaroo-hop run and a cartwheel action". I especially enjoyed a delicious chapter entitled "The Tale of Mr Twitmarsh" in which he relishes in mocking incompetent bureaucracy. Forthright views on foxhunting and the European Union also reveal a man who is very much interested in current affairs. Yet the book reveals pathos, too. Patrick has remained a reluctant bachelor following the death of Lorna, " the only girl for me", killed by the Nazis in 1943.
I found this book compelling. It modestly sets its author in the context of the twentieth century and I was fascinated by Moore's decription of his meetings with famous individuals, including Orville Wright, the pioneering aviator, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first men on the moon, Einstein, H G Wells, Rachmaninov and The Beatles.
In short, an excellent read for a modest investment.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Insightful, entertaining, refreshingly politically incorrect and ultimately human. This story, written on his 1908 typewriter, on which he was written every book and article credited to him, tells the story of a great English institution, a man perfectly comfortable with his beliefs. Some readers may decide to take offence over his use of old fashioned racial terms, as I did at first- but then I decided to grow up. I look forward to his fiftieth year presenting sky at night, for which incidentally he has never had a contract, just a gentleman's agreement.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Book probably interesting - however due to poor condition book...
Book received in poor condition and as it was intended as a gift it is being returned to Amazon. Therefore the book was not read.
Published 17 months ago by M. Kinsman
Patrick Moore - The Biography...
After having read this remarkable book, I agree with all the other befitting reviews:
Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore, CBE, HonFRS, FRAS, seems to be a fixed point in... Read more
Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore, CBE, HonFRS, FRAS, seems to be a fixed point in... Read more
Published 19 months ago by B. J.
Well worth reading
Patrick Moore is perhaps the last great amateur Scientist (although I hope that there are still others out there). Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2009 by Matthew Culley
Unique character, good book.
Mr Moore is certainly an usual character and this comes across strongly in his autobiography.
The book goes through his life, focusing particularly on his involvement in... Read more
The book goes through his life, focusing particularly on his involvement in... Read more
Published on 11 July 2008 by Mr X
A great and interesting read.
This book covers the life of a most highly regarded and fascinating man who speaks his mind. This is extremely refreshing, as I am altogether sick of listening to boring, PC... Read more
Published on 23 July 2007 by Mr. Scott M. Mason
More about Moore
A wonderful read and a great insight into the world’s best loved astronomer. Simply, the most funny, sometimes sad, serious and entertaining book that I have read in a long... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2006 by T. Byatt
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