Uncentering the Earth
Copernicus and The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres
“Vollmann writes with vigor and poetic insight.” —Booklist
In 1543, the Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus lay on his deathbed, reportedly holding his just-published masterpiece, The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, in his hands. Placing the sun at the center of the universe, Copernicus launched modern science, leading to a completely new understanding of the cosmos, and humanity’s place within them.
But what did Copernicus really believe? Some argue that he anticipated the vast secularizing impact his ideas would have on history. Others contend that Copernicus was a man of his time and, on the whole, accepted its worldview. William T. Vollmann navigates this territory with the energetic prose and powerful intelligence for which he is known, providing a fresh and enlightening explication of Copernicus, his book, his time, and the momentous clash among them.
“Peppered with intrigue, conflict and even a little human interest” —Kirkus