Glorious Eclipses

Glorious Eclipses: Their Past, Present and Future
by Serge Brunier and Jean-Pierre Luminet

reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com_

As a Black Sun eclipse chaser, I've journeyed to several parts of the globe, to view seven total solar eclipses and videotape and photograph them. Total solar eclipses are nature great spectacle and while I have my memories, thoughts, ideas and published photos and videos, I always seek more about the topic. To explore further about this amazing phenomenon, I have stocked my astronomical collection with eclipse related books. After seeing the cover of this book and looking inside, I also had to have this book.
This is a big book with oversized photographs and illustrations (many that I have never seen before or look remarkably better on a bigger display) which integrate well with the content. The main premise is eclipse of the the past, present and future. The two authors have worked together, to create a book which delivers on all accounts.
The larger text makes reading easier and draws you into the celestial information. There are many brilliantly, displayed visuals that include photographs, sketches and illustrations, many which are over sized. These capture the full majesty and grandeur of different aspects of eclipses and many are ones that I have never seen. Journey of an eclipse chaser (Chapter 1), portrays personal accounts and more.The Story of eclipse,the story of people (Chapter 2), includes a nice set of great examples based on historical accounts and perspectives. .
Songs of the eclipses, and Moon (Ch. 3), waxes poetic and includes information about the integration of the Moon interplay with the Sun. The Dance of the Sun and Moon (ch 4), follows up the previous chapter by focusing about the Moon and lunar eclipse. Also eclipse paths are portrayed. Screenshots of computer planetarium software show how an eclipse on the Earth, are looked upon from outer space The Great cosmic clockwork (ch.5), expands to include the interplay of the Moon and planets, including planetary conjunctions. By the light of the eclipses (Ch.6), includes marvelous sketches of various phases of total eclipse of the Sun. Chapter 7, starts with a full 2 page photograph of the umbra (darkest eclipse shadow), as seen from the Mir Russian space station. This chapter then continues to include information concerning many aspects of the great eclipse of August 11, 1999, as viewed from different parts of the world. Finally, the book is supplemented with additional helpful celestial data and information.
Several shorter chapters include at the end include: a very nice atlas of the Sun and Moon; observing and photographing eclipse of the sun; global charts of total and annular eclipses of the Sun until 2060; Detailed charts of total and annular eclipse of the Sun until 2020 Lunar eclipses ; Observing and photographing eclipses of the Moon, Detailed charts of the total eclipses of the Moon until 2020. Lastly there is a glossary (including in-depth information about famous astronomers, eclipse and astronomical vernacular), a nice extensive index and a bibliography/index of credits.
This is a must have book for your collection if you have enjoyed eclipses, will do in the future or want to know more about the phenomenon. While it does not take the place of viewing an actual total solar eclipse, this book is exhilarating in itself as the photos are awe inspiring, like a total eclipse itself. The brilliant photographs, illustrations and sketches are both breathtaking and informational. The book also excels at integrating many facets of eclipse phenomenon with the visuals. While many books include eclipses as the main theme, this book is one that elevates the majesty of the phenomenon through the (over sized) visuals, historical and scientific perspectives, astronomical information and more.
Whether you are an eclipse chaser or will see your first (or plan to see another) eclipse, this text is nice to have at any price (it can be found at other stores for a lower price). The authors’ effort in crafting this large text is evident. While the price of the book is a steep one, the book is a wonderful display of eclipse related history, visuals and factual information of all different types. And if you are like me, you can’t get enough of such topics. Take a look at this book, if only for its grandeur and see if it needs to be in your collection.