Eclipses, Transits, and Comets of the Nineteenth Century

"The authors focus on the total solar eclipses of 1868, 1869, and 1878 and the transits of Venus of 1874 and 1882, with shorter treatments of meteor showers and transits of Mercury. ... This is a delighted volume to have and to hold, simply brimming with wonderful pictures of people, places, astronomical images and the beginning of spectroscopy, historical markers, and so forth." (Virginia Trimble, The Observatory, Vol. 136 (1255), December, 2016)

"The book covers the growth of professional astronomy and the role of amateur astronomers in the popularization of astronomy in the United States. ... If you are interested in the development of science and how the astronomical awareness of a continent developed from something 'primarily for the vain art of astrology and for almanac production' to having the huge number of amateur astronomers it has today then this book is for you." (Steve Bell, The Observatory, Vol. 135 (1248), October, 2015)

"Cottam and Orchiston (both, NationalAstronomical Research Institute of Thailand) have produced a dense book, based on Cottam's 2011 dissertation, covering a bit over a century of American astronomy. ... The book contains numerous illustrations and is well documented with 36 pages of references. Useful for history of astronomy collections and specialist audiences. Summing Up: Recommended. Researchers/faculty and professionals/practitioners." (M.-K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 52 (8), April, 2015)

"This historical book by Cottam and Orchiston is fun to read and to look through. I can recommend it to all who like to know about eclipses, transits, or nineteenth century science in general, or who otherwise want something to tell them about the interactions of science with the public-or who just want an interesting book to read." (Jay M. Pasachoff, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, Vol. 18 (1), 2015)