A complex but clearly written account of abstract scientific theory recommended for readers interested in new realms of...
In his absorbing, informative collection of essays, Tolkowsky (Homage to Stretcher Bearer, 2009) examines the connection between technology and metaphysics, focusing specifically on the history of flight.
From its beginnings, mankind has been fascinated with the idea of flying and the divine mystery of outer space. In the preface to this book, Tolkowsky speculates that “the problems that engineers apply their minds to and the solutions they find…are strongly influenced by abstract ideas.” He centers his essays on flight technology and metaphysics, based on the idea that man’s ability to fly “served as a starting line for an unfathomable wave of technological innovation and merging of technology with society in its broadest sense.” In Chapter 1, he examines how Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution affected the scientific and spiritual communities of the 19th century. He specifically details Russian scientist Konstantin E. Tsiolkovsky’s theory of “Homo cosmiscus,” or the next stage of human evolution, in which man would biologically adapt to life in outer space. This concept of “space colonization” is continued in Chapter 2, comparing and contrasting how people in Russia and the United States have approached spiritual and engineering aspects of space exploration. In the third chapter, the author dissects the religious motivations behind mankind’s interest in space, specifically examining the tenets of pagan sun worship and its strong significance in modern religion and technology. The final chapter explains the early struggles of engineers, scientists and theorists seeking to build a flying machine. With the author’s previous experience as a combat pilot and aeronautical engineer, he clearly shows reverence and devotion to the subject matter. The book’s thesis is unusual yet intriguing, strongly supported with historical facts and developed smoothly from chapter to chapter. The prose is remarkably explanative, if sometimes repetitious, and never weighed down by excessive scientific terminology. Although some of the ideas may be difficult to fathom, the book is often engrossing; readers should be able to understand it without any previous knowledge of metaphysics or technology.
A complex but clearly written account of abstract scientific theory recommended for readers interested in new realms of thought.Pub Date: July 25, 2013
ISBN: 978-1629010021
Page Count: 118
Publisher: Inkwater Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2014
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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