[meteorite-list] Speaking of Weston...

From: Mike Bandli <fuzzfoot_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:08:08 -0800
Message-ID: <5050F87768BB4871B556D0EDEFECCB52_at_Bandli1>

Hello Mark,

I'm now half way through the book and can report that Prince does explain
and relate everyone in your #2. I think the reader will find Silliman's and
Woodhouse's relationship to the Weston fall quite interesting.

As for #1, I think perhaps "Turning Point" would have been a better choice
and less controversial than "Birth." She has made a strong case so far,
though, as it pertains to the general state of science in America at the
time.

I haven't found anything yet that confirms the wild review claim in your #3,
but I still have half a book to go. I did find myself having to re-read
several paragraphs after thinking "That's not true!", only to realize that
it was prefixed with "...the first *American* to..." You'll see that Prince
is very careful with her wording in some places and it seems to me that, at
times, this can pump up Silliman's accomplishments. She does write that
Silliman drew on the work of Chladni and discusses other falls and figures
later in the book, but really tries to stay within the parameters of
American figures, events, and milestones.

There are a couple of glaring errors related to meteorite history that do
stick out. I'll see if others pick up on them as well.

So far it is a solid book. The accounts of the Weston fall are particularly
fun and Prince does a good job painting an image of early life and hardship
in Weston and the fall as described by the residents.

I'll finish the rest tomorrow.

Time for bed...

Cheers,

Mike
 
----------------------------------------------
Mike Bandli
Historic Meteorites
www.HistoricMeteorites.com
and join us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Meteorites1
IMCA #5765
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-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Grossman [mailto:markig at westnet.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 6:00 PM
To: Mike Bandli; 'Jason Utas'; meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Speaking of Weston...

I just took a quick look as some of the reviews of this book that were
written by CT newspapers, and I will have to read the book to determine the
accuracy of some of the statements.

1. As far as the birth of American science - "science-oriented statesman"
Benjamin Franklin preceded Benjamin Silliman in giving American science a
name abroad. He was held in the highest respect as a scientist just as much

as a statesman in Europe for his electrical investigations, and attended the

salon of the Lavoisiers in Paris regularly.

2. What happened to mention of James Woodhouse of Philadelphia (1770-1809),
who had a laboratory in Philadelphia that Joseph Priestly, the discover of
oxygen, used to visit? Woodhouse also analyzed the Weston stone, but
off-hand, I don't know who has priority. I hope the book mentions
Woodhouse.

3. Weston - the first scientific investigation that proved that meteorites
came from outer space? What happened to mention of Edward Howard, L'Aigle,
Chladni, etc.?

Again, I haven't read the book yet, so perhaps the reporting is inaccurate.
But if there is any truth to reviews that I have seen, this book is headed
for trouble.

I would be interested in any comments from those who have already had a
chance to read or peruse the book.

Thanks.

Mark


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Bandli" <fuzzfoot at comcast.net>
To: "'Jason Utas'" <meteoritekid at gmail.com>; "'Meteorite-list'"
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 12:29 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Speaking of Weston...


> There is a new book out:
>
>
http://www.prometheusbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_167
> &products_id=2027
>
> I'll be reading it this week and hope to give a review soon. Looks like it
> will be good!
>
> (Thanks to R. Wesel for the gift!)
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mike
>
> -------------------------------
> Mike Bandli
> Historic Meteorites
> www.HistoricMeteorites.com
> and join us on Facebook:
> www.facebook.com/Meteorites1
> IMCA #5765
> -------------------------------
>
>
> ______________________________________________
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Received on Wed 19 Jan 2011 01:08:08 AM PST