The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference: Amazon.co.uk: Alan Boyle: Books

Review

With a fresh style and a clear voice, Alan Boyle addresses The Case for Pluto. Ever since the search for a planet between Mars and Jupiter led to the discovery of the asteroid belt, the hunt for a planet at the edge of the solar system not only led to the discovery of Clyde Tombaugh′s Pluto, but also to the now well–known Kuiper Belt and the lesser known Ort Cloud. Several efforts have aimed to demote Pluto to dwarf planet status, leading to one of the biggest controversies astronomy has seen since astronomers tried to capture images of stars hiding behind the sun during a solar eclipse as predicted by Einstein. A number of planet demystifiers have come to the aid of the planet degradation era, some with torches held high and some with lynch knots. The main problem is that Pluto has enjoyed popularity. Boyle puts up a good battlefront in the case for Pluto, considering every angle and leaving no scientific mind undisturbed. What the scientific community could agree upon was that Pluto was both a planet and not a planet at the same time. The solution was to reclassify, hoping to quell the problem. A must read.
—Reviewed by D. Wayne Dworsky (Sacramento / San Francisco Book Review)

Boyle, the science writer for msnbc.com, has written a charming and informative book that requires no science background. The International Astronomical Union′s decision to downgrade Pluto′s status from a planet is the book′s jumping–off point, from which Boyle backtracks to relate the history of Pluto′s discovery and naming, the discovery of its moon, its scientific features, and all the developments of its scientific study, including developments in the technology of telescopes and space missions. The personal element of the story adds spice to the narrative, with astronomers arguing over Pluto′s identity and the public weighing in with their own personal attachment to Pluto as a planet. The book concludes with an appendix on what to tell your kids about planets. (Sci–Tech Book News)

When the International Astronomical Union voted in 2006 to evict Pluto from the roster of planets in our solar system, little did they expect the public outcry that would arise. Boyle, an award–winning science writer and the science editor at MSNBC.com, presents the issues regarding Pluto′s status, both popular and scientific, in a winning fashion. After its discovery in 1930, the icy rock formerly known as Planet X was embraced by the public imagination, partly due to its status as "the oddball of the solar system"; no doubt having Walt Disney name a cartoon dog after it also helped. But as astronomers learned more about the solar system and the distant Kuiper Belt at its fringes, they realized that Pluto, with its lopsided spin and strangely tilted orbit was very special indeed. Now astronomers have identified at least five dwarf planets, or "mini–worlds," orbiting our Sun. When the New Horizons spacecraft reaches Pluto in 2015, we′ll know more about this "underdog of the solar system." Even then, the furor is bound to continue. Photos. (Nov.) (Publishers Weekly, September 14, 2009)

Product Description

In support of Pluto–the cutest and most unfairly treated planet

Pity poor Pluto: It′s a planet that was discovered because of a mistake, a planet that turned out not to be a planet at all, thanks to a still–disputed decision made in 2006. And yet, Pluto is the planet best–loved by Americans, especially children, one that may have contained the building blocks of life billions of years ago and may well serve as life′s last redoubt billions of years from now.

In The Case for Pluto, award–winning science writer Alan Boyle traces the tiny planet′s ups and downs, its strange appeal, the reasons behind its demotion, and the reasons why it should be set back in the planetary pantheon.

Tells the compelling story of Pluto′s discovery and how it became a cultural icon
Makes the case for Pluto as planet, countering the books that argue against it
Comes in a small, friendly package — just like Pluto — and features a handsome design, making it a great gift

The Case for Pluto is the must–read tale of a cosmic underdog that has captured the hearts of millions: an endearing little planet that is changing the way we see the universe beyond our backyard.

Alan Boyle is MSNBC.com’s science editor and the award–winning blogger behind Cosmic Log. He’s been a talking head on NBC’s The Today Show and the MSNBC cable channel, holding forth on scientific subjects ranging from the chances of an asteroid Armageddon to the 3–D wizardry behind the “Harry Potter” movies. But he writes better than he talks.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Like an enthusiastic best friend 25 Feb 2010

By Rosey Lea TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

The book reads as if it's spoken by your best friend, who happens to be REALLY knowledgable and enthusiastic on the subject of Pluto.

The text is a light read (you don't need to put your science-brain in gear), but covers a wealth of information whilst remaining engaging at all times. It goes far beyond the facts and figures of the (ex)planet and gives you the stories and politics of it's recognition.

The book itself is also lovely. A small embossed hardback, full of pictures (many in colour)and clear uncluttered pages.

A joy of a book!

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Perfect Gift For Anyone Interested In Astronomy 2 Jan 2010

By Ursula K. Raphael TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This book is not just about Pluto's classification, but it also addresses how scientific issues in astronomy are decided upon. It was positively overflowing with facts about our solar system, as well as providing an entertaining history of astronomy, leading up to the controversy over Pluto.

The end of the book is just as informative. Appendix A is a Q&A for children. Appendix B conatins the original draft resolution (and revised resolutions) on planet definitions; Appendix C has planatary vital statistics. Of course, there are the footnotes, etc. I appreciate the way Alan Boyle presented all this information in a teachable format.

For the very young future astronomers, I recommend First Space Encyclopedia (DK First Reference).

Highly recommended, for several reasons 4 Oct 2010

By C. Wildervanck

I liked this book very much for more than one reason. It gives a relatively easy-to-read overview of how Pluto was and is looked upon as a planet - or not. You really don't have to be a qualified astronomer to understand it; that's compliment one to the author. In the second place, it gives an amazing but also disconcerting insight in how it was decided that Pluto is a planet - or not. This culminated in the IAU General Assembly in 2006 where it was tried to answer the question 'planet or no planet' in a 'democratic' way, reminding me of the present (Autumn, 2010) formation of the new cabinet in the Netherlands. It's also amazing how mean and personal well-educated people can get when involved in a discussion like this, and how they try to make the facts fit the (i.e. their) conclusion.
Last but not least Boyle writes in a very entertaining, often humoristic way, which makes it a pleasure to read this book. May I be allowed to quote one joke, about the origin of the name of the planet Uranus, 'giving generations of schoolchildren a pronunciation to giggle over.' As a Dutchman, for the first time pronouncing it aloud, I'm sorry I have to confess that made me giggle for quite a wile!