A More Perfect Heaven

How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos

By: Dava Sobel

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

In her graceful, compelling style, Dava Sobel chronicles the history of the Copernican Revolution, relating the story of astronomy from Aristotle to the Middle Ages. In its midst will be her play, And the Sun Stood Still, imagining the dialogue that would have transpired between Rheticus and Copernicus in their months together. As she achieved with her best sellers Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, Sobel expands the bounds of science writing, giving us an unforgettable portrait of scientific achievement.

©2011 Dava Sobel (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Incredible look back

It's amazing discoveries back then ever saw the light of day. Slow transportation and communication coupled with fear of the church. Laborious printing techniques, paper making... No way to observe other than the naked eye. Painstaking observations, records and LOTS of math.

Good, but not her best.

I enjoy all Dava Sobel's work. But this one was not as riveting. Confusing formats with a play within the story. Not geared as well for audio.

Illuminating and creative

The play idea worked well, sandwiched between the historical retelling. I learned quite a bit. Maybe wish more was done on how this shook the worldview, and on his methods, but still good.

Curiosity and knowledge is Pleasant in the heavens

men who don't know about the heavens can learn from Men who have studied the heavens Copernicus I did a masterful work.

Interesting but Not Perfect

What did you like best about A More Perfect Heaven? What did you like least?

I enjoyed the placing of the Copernicus story in context in history but would have preferred more discussion of the science. My copy also had some weird editing with some sentences repeated randomly throughout the book. The narrator was very good. All in all an interesting book.