Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Sun's Heartbeat by Bob Berman....Review & Giveaway!


There has been a very popular book being handed around my house the past few weeks...The Sun's Heartbeat by Bob Berman.  I was all set to dive into it when my husband swiped it from me!  Here is the scoop on what had us both vying for the same page turner...

The beating heart of the sun is the very pulse of life on earth. And from the ancients who plotted its path at Stonehenge to the modern scientists who unraveled the nuclear fusion reaction that turns mass into energy, humankind has sought to solve its mysteries. In this lively biography of the sun, Bob Berman ranges from its stellar birth to its spectacular future death with a focus on the wondrous and enthralling, and on the heartbreaking sacrifice, laughable errors, egotistical battles, and brilliant inspirations of the people who have tried to understand its power.

What, exactly, are the ghostly streaks of light astronauts see-but can't photograph-when they're in space? And why is it impossible for two people to see the exact same rainbow? Why are scientists beginning to think that the sun is safer than sunscreen? And how does the fluctuation of sunspots-and its heartbeat-affect everything from satellite communications to wheat production across the globe?

Peppered with mind-blowing facts and memorable anecdotes about spectral curiosities-the recently-discovered "second sun" that lurks beneath the solar surface, the eerie majesty of a total solar eclipse-THE SUN'S HEARTBEAT offers a robust and entertaining narrative of how the Sun has shaped humanity and our understanding of the universe around us.

About the Author

Bob Berman is one of America's top astronomy writers. For many years, he wrote the popular "Night Watchman" column for Discover magazine. He is currently a columnist for Astronomy magazine and a host on NPR's Northeast Public Radio, and he is the science editor of the Old Farmer's Almanac

Doesn't this all sound fascinating?  Now, I am not really a gal who is all that into science but I was still really interested in this book.  On the other hand, my husband is way into all things scientific and loved it so, to me, this book really is a winner because it captures the interest of people on both ends of the "sciency" (yup, I know I just made that word up!!)) spectrum.  I think we all know how important the sun is to our existence but this books supplies the hows and the whys as well as the benefits of that great, big powerful star.  Bob Berman has created a book that is highly readable and light even when the subject is heavy.  This one is a great read for the entire family!  Pick it up today on Amazon...




THREE lucky Reviewed By Mom readers will win a copy of The Sun's Heartbeat by Bob Berman!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...



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