J. Brit. Astron. Assoc., 107, 4, 1997, p.220

Historical Eclipses and Earth's Rotation

by F. Richard Stephenson

Cambridge University Press, 1997. ISBN 0-521-46194-4. Pp xvi + 557, £95.00 (hbk).

reviewed by J. Eric Jones

For many years Professor Stephenson has been pre-eminent in the use of historical records to illuminate modern problems in astronomy and geophysics. This magnificent volume is the culmination of over two decades of research analysing pre-telescopic observations of solar and lunar eclipses to examine long term trends in the earth's rotation. In the initial three chapters he gives a very clear description of the geophysical problem and how eclipse observations may be of value. The next ten chapters give meticulous details of possibly every historical eclipse observation ever recorded, from sources in Assyria, Babylonia, China, other parts of Asia, Medieval Europe and Arab records. A final chapter summarises the geophysical conclusions. There are also a copious bibliography, supplementary tables and no less than three indexes.

This book works on many levels. The initial and final chapters although aimed at the geophysicist, are nevertheless clear enough for the non-specialist to gain an idea of up-to-date understanding in this field. However for the historian, the astronomer, the orientalist and even the layperson the core of this book is a delight. As well as providing scientific data, the many painstaking analyses are also a wealth of fascinating stories accompanied, where appropriate, by relevant background information, maps, tables or illustrations. We are occasionally privileged to glimpse the prodigious amount of work behind each analysis; for example the investigation of the AD 1221 Kerulen River eclipse reads almost like a detective novel. It is very rare to find such an authoritative and comprehensive work of reference that is also such a 'good read'.

The overall impression of the book is superb. A determined search for spelling mistakes failed to find a single instance. The illustrations and photographs are clear and the quality of the printing and presentation is excellent. The price of the book may appear rather steep nevertheless it does seem reasonable for such an authoritative work of reference which is unlikely to be superseded for decades.


Eric Jones is a Senior Scientific Officer at The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory. He has been observing, timing and analysing total solar eclipses for 24 years.

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