How does the author engage your prior knowledge and interests to

grab you and keep you interested in reading and learning more
about the books topics?
It is her writing style which keeps your curiosity alive. She has incorporated Mythology,
folklore, history, astronomy, story-telling, culture and poetry. The chapters are managed
beautifully and engagingly to bring these heavenly bodies as close as one's own backyard. The
chapters are organized by planets and they include discussions on history, mythology, geology,
and the scientific community that has discovered and explored the planets and their neighboring
objects. Her prose is lyrical and her passion for science and space apparent. The book is written
in view to the non-science major and she manages this well, if not flawlessly.

What purposes, knowledge, methods, and forms does the author

Employs? Why?
I think her purpose was to introduce the Universe to non- scientific minds. As mentioned above
her use of history, mythology, geology, and the scientific community has made the writing very
interesting rich and understandable to the public who are unaware of the Universe and its
composition. Dava Sobel presented this in such a manner that anybody would be able to
understand her point of view.

How could the knowledge in this book be shared in a different form?

What would your purpose be for changing that form?
I would not change the form because the writing style makes the book engaging and interesting
for the content knowledge. I dont think anyone could have done a better than Dava Sobel
presenting the information to her audiences. She has presented the information in the book that is
very appealing for the readers; especially in making the personal references. In one of her
chapters titled LUNACY (Moon), she talked about her friend Carolyn and her taste of the Moon.
It is worthwhile to read this book. I would recommend this to readers who have little or no prior
knowledge about the planets.

Does this book change the way you look at something or some
process in the world? If so, how? Does this book have the potential
to fight against dangerous amnesia, fantasia, inertia, or nostalgia
about an educational topic?
I think based on the books contents; this book does address these issues. The book is written for
general purpose knowledge about the planets. It does not address a specific curriculum for school
or college courses. The book is not written is scientific terminology. Rather, it is written in the
concept of short stories and life experiences of planets.
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Could this author be considered a leader? What leadership qualities

would you assume the author has as you read this book (i.e.,
creativity, integrity, global thinking, influence, openness, etc.)?
Dava Sobels creativity speaks for itself when you read the novel. She definitely is a leader
because she, on every step, does not lose the general audiences. Yes, there is always going to be
someone who is not satisfied. In one of the reviews, I read the person pointed out that she could
not satisfy the astronomers, historians, and poets. I think a good leader is that who captures and
engages her audiences and influences their thinking about the topic presented to them. She
definitely influences her audiences by her writing style, as she begins with the Big Bang, the Sun
in Genesis, and presents planets, in turn, inviting the reader to share her sense of Wonder.

Is this book a novel (i.e., unusual, radical, pioneering)? Is it effective

(i.e., valuable, relevant, useful)? Is it whole (i.e., organic,
complete, complex)? How so?
It is a novel because it is written for general public to read and to be fascinated with our solar
system. The author has blended the latest scientific knowledge with popular culture, mythology,
astrology, literature, music, and more. The writing is clear and elegant and the research seems to
be thorough. This unique and attractive book will be of interest to both science students and
general readers. The information is valuable to both scientists and the general readers.