Quotes from Reviews of
The Planet-Girded Suns
Nonfiction by Sylvia Engdahl
"This is an important and interesting book. . . . The author's thought-provoking presentation on the subject should provide some fascinating reading." --Susan Raizer, National Space Society, May 2012
"Engdahl has created a well-crafted, well-researched and unique view on exoplanets, and is a must-read for those who want a different view on space than the usual technical one." --Ian Miller, Readers' Favorite, 18 December 2012
"Engdahl shines a light on the deepest roots of our fascination with space and our need to get out there. Beautifully written and compellingly reasoned." --Paul Levinson, Amazon.com, 12 August 2012
"Engdahl has marshalled an impressive and fascinating selection of primary sources--including a roster of believers that includes Newton, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, and rocket pioneer Robert Goddard; and . . . reminded us that our ancestors entertained a view of the universe that was larger and more imaginative than the history books lead us to believe. Challenging and original." --Kirkus Reviews, 17 October 1974
"By carefully reconstructing her story from voluminous notes on many writers, both well-known and obscure, Engdahl has given vitality and dimension to the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence." --Mirjana Gearhart, Cosmic Search, March 1979
"In a brisk, engrossing account Engdahl traces the theories and speculations concerning the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligent life throughout history. . . . This [book] is based on original research in primary sources and smoothly incorporates many quotations from scientists, philosophers, poets and theologians." --ALA Booklist., 15 January 1975
"The Planet-Girded Suns is a beautiful example of what the disciplined imagination can do. . . . It is a fine, carefully done history of the ideas about other worlds--nicely balanced in its presentation of the informational and mystical elements of the subject." --Horn Book,, February 1975
"Easy to read and on a timely subject approached from an original point of view, this also serves as a model to show how an idea is researched and documented." --School Library Journal, March 1975
"Senior high school students who are interested in this fascinating field will find much new and unusual information, with much of it from original sources not readily available." --Best Sellers, 15 February 1975
"Ms. Engdahl presents a fascinating overview of this idea during three and three-quarters centuries, using the words of scientists, philosophers, religious men, and poets. This book will have a very limited and highly specialized audience, but those few can hardly fail to be both intrigued and impressed." --Daphne Ann Hamilton, Appraisal, Spring 1975
"By piecing together fragments of the past, The Planet-Girded Suns has placed the belief in extraterrestrial life into sharp perspective."
--Anthony F. Miskowski, New Jersey State Museum Planetarium, Cluster, March 1975
"The substantial treatment of the history of the idea of other solar systems, based largely on research in primary documents, should make it of use to scholars." --Isis One Hundred Second Critical Bibliography of the History of Science and Its Cultural Implications,, ed. John Neu, 1977
FAQ about the book, excerpt, and purchase information
Nonfiction by Sylvia Engdahl
"This is an important and interesting book. . . . The author's thought-provoking presentation on the subject should provide some fascinating reading." --Susan Raizer, National Space Society, May 2012"Engdahl has created a well-crafted, well-researched and unique view on exoplanets, and is a must-read for those who want a different view on space than the usual technical one." --Ian Miller, Readers' Favorite, 18 December 2012
"Engdahl shines a light on the deepest roots of our fascination with space and our need to get out there. Beautifully written and compellingly reasoned." --Paul Levinson, Amazon.com, 12 August 2012
"Engdahl has marshalled an impressive and fascinating selection of primary sources--including a roster of believers that includes Newton, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, and rocket pioneer Robert Goddard; and . . . reminded us that our ancestors entertained a view of the universe that was larger and more imaginative than the history books lead us to believe. Challenging and original." --Kirkus Reviews, 17 October 1974
"By carefully reconstructing her story from voluminous notes on many writers, both well-known and obscure, Engdahl has given vitality and dimension to the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence." --Mirjana Gearhart, Cosmic Search, March 1979
"In a brisk, engrossing account Engdahl traces the theories and speculations concerning the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligent life throughout history. . . . This [book] is based on original research in primary sources and smoothly incorporates many quotations from scientists, philosophers, poets and theologians." --ALA Booklist., 15 January 1975
"The Planet-Girded Suns is a beautiful example of what the disciplined imagination can do. . . . It is a fine, carefully done history of the ideas about other worlds--nicely balanced in its presentation of the informational and mystical elements of the subject." --Horn Book,, February 1975
"Easy to read and on a timely subject approached from an original point of view, this also serves as a model to show how an idea is researched and documented." --School Library Journal, March 1975
"Senior high school students who are interested in this fascinating field will find much new and unusual information, with much of it from original sources not readily available." --Best Sellers, 15 February 1975
"Ms. Engdahl presents a fascinating overview of this idea during three and three-quarters centuries, using the words of scientists, philosophers, religious men, and poets. This book will have a very limited and highly specialized audience, but those few can hardly fail to be both intrigued and impressed." --Daphne Ann Hamilton, Appraisal, Spring 1975
"By piecing together fragments of the past, The Planet-Girded Suns has placed the belief in extraterrestrial life into sharp perspective." --Anthony F. Miskowski, New Jersey State Museum Planetarium, Cluster, March 1975
"The substantial treatment of the history of the idea of other solar systems, based largely on research in primary documents, should make it of use to scholars." --Isis One Hundred Second Critical Bibliography of the History of Science and Its Cultural Implications,, ed. John Neu, 1977