Shapley's Round Table: A Memoir by the Astronomer's Daughter - 5245

Name: Shapley's Round Table: A Memoir by the Astronomer's Daughter - 5245
Brand: Dream Books Co.
SKU: DBV.1098383567.G
Price: 12.58 USD
Availability: InStock

$12.58

Product variants

Quantity

This is a lively memoir about growing up with the charismatic American astronomer and science impresario, Harlow Shapley, by his daughter, the late Mildred Shapley Matthews. Shapley remains widely regarded as one of the most unusual, interesting, and noteworthy American astronomers, internationalists, and humanitarians of the 20th century. The "round table" in the title refers to a large rotating wooden desk mounted on central spindle, which graced the Director's Office at the Harvard College Observatory from 1906 through the mid-1950s. Mildred Shapley Matthews (1915-2016) wrote this reminiscence of life with her father, Harlow Shapley (1885-1972), during the early 1960s. It is based on her personal recollections plus extensive correspondence and conversations with her father and her mother, Martha Betz Shapley (1890-1981). Written in a colloquial narrative style, it exhibits for the first time a delightfully human side of Harlow Shapley. Harlow Shapley was also an outspoken political progressive, socialist, pacifist, and internationalist who openly espoused his political and social causes. He was one of the "suspected communists" named by Senator Joseph McCarthy, and in 1946 was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Shapley retired as director of the Harvard Observatory in 1952. Over the next 20 years he wrote several books and lectured extensively on college campuses across the country, sharing his enthusiasm with generations of future thinkers about the wonders of science, and his witty disdain for humankind's hubris.
ASIN: 1098383567
VSKU: DBV.1098383567.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Shapley Matthews, Mildred
Binding: Paperback

Note on Condition

Most of the items in our store are used. The item's condition grade is indicated near the bottom of the product description. If you have any questions regarding specific details of an item, please contact us. We use the following rating scale:

Books:

Used - Very Good: Item may have minor cosmetic defects (marks, wears, cuts, bends, crushes) on the cover, spine, pages or dust cover. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may contain remainder marks on outside edges, which should be noted in listing comments. Item may be missing bundled media.
Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. Gently used ex-library books with library stickers and markings may be classified as good. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

CDs/DVDs/Discs:

Used - Good: Case may be damaged or come repackaged. Disc may have up to 1.5cm marking but is in great working condition.
Used - Acceptable: A product with extensive external signs of wear, but is in great working condition. The case may be damaged. The cover art, liner, notes, or other inclusion may be marked, or one or all of these items may be missing.

Shipping & Returns

Shipping: Most orders are shipped within 2 business days.

Returns: We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If you're not, you can return your order within 30 days of purchase for a refund.