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The Comet Sweeper: Caroline Herschel's Astronomical Ambition
 
 
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The Comet Sweeper: Caroline Herschel's Astronomical Ambition [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

by Claire Brock (Author) "At the beginning of August 1786, Caroline Herschel made the usual entries in her 'Book of Work Done' ..." (more)
3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Icon Books Ltd; illustrated edition edition (1 Mar 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1840467207
  • ISBN-13: 978-1840467208
  • Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 12.8 x 3.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 151,928 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  • See Complete Table of Contents

Product Description

Product Description
"The Comet Sweeper" is the incredible story of Britain's first female professional scientist, Caroline Herschel - a true Enlightenment celebrity whose rediscovery is long overdue. Such was Herschel's reputation that a congratulatory letter in 1790 from the director of the Paris Observatory was simply addressed to 'Mlle Caroline Herschel, Astronome Celebre, Slough.' Having escaped domestic servitude in Germany by teaching herself to sing and establishing a career in England, Herschel learned astronomy while helping her brother William, then Astronomer Royal. Soon she was making scientific discoveries in her own right, and she swept to international scientific and popular fame. She was awarded a salary by George III in 1787, becoming the first woman in Britain ever to make her living from science. But, as a woman in a male-dominated world, Herschel's great success was achieved despite constant frustration of her ambitions. Assisting her brother had to take priority over her own work, and his marriage separated her from the instruments of her trade, stalling her career. Drawing on original sources - including Herschel's diaries and her fiery letters - Claire Brock tells the story of a woman so determined to win independence and satisfy her ambition that she moved careers and countries while chasing success.

About the Author
About the author Claire Brock is a lecturer in the English Department at the University of Leicester. She was recently awarded the British Society for the History of Science's Singer Prize for an article on the Victorian scientist and writer Mary Somerville. She is available for interview.
Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
At the beginning of August 1786, Caroline Herschel made the usual entries in her 'Book of Work Done'. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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3 Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Caroline's soaring astronomical ambition, 6 Jul 2007
By Dr. S. A. Mitton "Simon Mitton" (Cambridge UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This is the best biography of Caroline Herschel available, and the whole story is nicely told. It is a delightful read. However, in terms of scholarship, the book is disturbingly weak on the scientific background to the achievements of the Herschels. We learn little about what other astronomers in England and France are up to, and nothing about the major intellectual puzzles of the time. The author does not tell us how deeply important William Herschel's surveys were for establishing survey astronomy as the wave of the future. Despite these criticisms I recommend this short account. Importantly, Claire Brock shows that Caroline Herschel was much more than a mere note taker for her elder brother.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Good effort...but...., 17 Jun 2007
I found this rather dry to read, and as the previous reviewer suggests the science itself is a bit lacking. Nevertheless, it is good to see the life and contribution of Caroline Herschel recognised.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but a bit lacking in science, 2 May 2007
By L. Hogan (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This edition is just lovely, beautifully bound with a great cover. its a pleasure to hold and carry around. The story of Caroline Hereschel's life is certainly an interesting one. It was so varied and anyone with an interest in the history of science cannot fail to be drawn into her struggle for recognition.

Perhaps because I read the story through 21st century eyes, I found her constant subjugation of her own ambitions frustrating. Why didnt she scream and shout and stamp her foot to get the attention and time she deserved? The story is as much a comment on the times she lived in, as it is a history of her life. Reading other books of the period it is often easy to forget how stiffling life was for a young woman, expecially one with any talent and it does Ms Hereschel credit that she managed to over come the restrictions of both her class and her culture to become so well recognised.

My only complaint about the book was that the writing was a bit dry. I get the feeling that it was adapted from somes ones university thesis or from an academic paper, which is surprising as the author has previously won awards for her science writing. That said, the writing is very clear and there is no over whelming scientific detail (maybe that is what, as a scientist, I missed!). I would have liked to have learnt more about the science Ms Hereschel did and its contribution to what was going on in science at the time.

An enjoyable if slightly single faceted book, but definetly one that will look lovely on your book shelf!
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