jjares reviewed Flat Earth: A History of Strange Tales, Bizarre Beliefs, and Conspiracy Theories about the Earth?s Surface on + 3275 more book reviews
Every once in a while, Charles Rivers studies offbeat subjects and shares their research with readers. I find these to be quirky treasures. Frankly, I search for these unconventional tidbits because they are so compelling and, well, fun. The book starts out telling the tale of the flat earth. I was surprised anyone really worried about the shape of earth when they had to worry about hunger, pandemics, and wars.
Things changed by the Middle Ages because the great minds were postulating that earth was a globe. I thought the most interesting theory was that earth was hollow, with a place for folks to live inside. I was fascinated to learn how the believers thought they could get inside.
It seems that we have come full-circle because there are now folks adamant that the earth is flat. The Flat Earth Society (which almost died) is alive and well; the Internet has brought new believers to the podcasts, YouTube feeds, twitter comments, etc. They view themselves as 'truth-seekers.' There are actually world-wide Flat Earth Conventions. According to this book, many of the members are fundamental Christians, who don't believe in "monkey-science." I was also surprised to find that there are factions of Muslims who also do not believe the world is round.
I like Charles River books because they always seem to be well-researched and clear. They are easy to read and understand.
Things changed by the Middle Ages because the great minds were postulating that earth was a globe. I thought the most interesting theory was that earth was hollow, with a place for folks to live inside. I was fascinated to learn how the believers thought they could get inside.
It seems that we have come full-circle because there are now folks adamant that the earth is flat. The Flat Earth Society (which almost died) is alive and well; the Internet has brought new believers to the podcasts, YouTube feeds, twitter comments, etc. They view themselves as 'truth-seekers.' There are actually world-wide Flat Earth Conventions. According to this book, many of the members are fundamental Christians, who don't believe in "monkey-science." I was also surprised to find that there are factions of Muslims who also do not believe the world is round.
I like Charles River books because they always seem to be well-researched and clear. They are easy to read and understand.
