Chasing Venus

Praise

“[A] thrilling adventure story. . . . Wulf’s marvelous eye for detail and talent for simplifying complex science make the book . . . well worth reading.” —San Francisco Chronicle  

“Chasing Venus captures the spirit of adventure and the wonder at mankind’s newfound ability to understand the world around it. . . . A pleasure to read from beginning to end.” —Sky at Night Magazine 

“Here is a book both astrophysicists and poets can understand.” —The Boston Globe 
 
“Andrea Wulf’s story of the chase is an enthralling, nail-biting thriller and will undoubtedly prove one of the nonfiction books of the year. . . . Don’t miss this wonderful book.” —Daily Mail

“A narrative . . . rich in personalities and adventures. . . . . [Wulf] wonderfully sketch[es] the race for scientific, and patriotic, glory.” —Dallas Morning News

“Excellent. . . . Chasing Venus is beautifully paced, alternating between expeditions, with lush descriptions of the often arduous journeys involved.” —Owen Gingerich, Nature

“Wulf’s entertaining book is a fine tribute to that admirable human trait of scientific curiosity. . . . An inspiring story.” —The Dispatch (Columbus, MS)

“[An] enticing tale. . . . [Wulf’s] feeling for personality and her attention to both the scientific records and to the astronomers’ journals brings their exploits to life as both scientific exploration and adventurous derring-do.” —The Washington Times

“Another fine example of such scientific storytelling. . . . Narrated with elegant expertise.” —The Times (London)

“A human story, and . . . a rallying call to humanity’s quest to explore the universe simply for the sake of it.” —The Daily Telegraph (London)

“Magisterial. . . Andrea Wulf traces the dramatic transformation of Venus from object of mythological awe to instrument of scientific revelation.”  —The Guardian (London)

“Thrilling. . . . Wulf’s account is an absorbing, . . . exciting yarn.” —The Independent (London)

“[An] excellent book. . . . Chasing Venus chronicles a rare planetary event that happened at a rare juncture in human history, when the age of empire, the age of science, and the age of curiosity brought the world together for just a few moments—to achieve the measure of the universe.” —Brain Pickings

“Outstanding. . . . It’s the book of the year so far—do not miss it!” —Astronomy Now

“Writing in a clean and precise style reminiscent of Dava Sobel’s Navigation and Holly Tucker’s Blood Work, Wulf nonetheless develops a narrative pace more typical of a globe-trotting thriller than a history book. . . . The history of science at its most fascinating—and most adventurous.” —Chapter 16

“[A] lively narrative. . . . Enlightening Enlightenment fare.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“[An] enthusiastic account. . . [and] well-handled history.” —Booklist

“Replete with meticulous detail, delightful illustrations and a cast of very familiar names from world history, Chasing Venus is an eminently readable account of humanity’s effort to chart the heavens.  At once an exhilarating adventure, a tale of personal obsession, a tragedy and a detailed history of astronomical endeavour, Wulf’s latest work is a fascinating read.” —Press Association (UK)