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by John Lear (Author), Patricia Frueh Kirkwood (Translator)
Kepler's Dream is a visionary work that blends scientific exploration with imaginative storytelling, marking one of the earliest examples of speculative science fiction. Written by Johannes Kepler in the early 17th century, this allegorical text delves into lunar travel through the story of Duracotus, a young man transported to the moon. Beyond its narrative charm, the work reveals Kepler's pioneering insights into celestial mechanics and planetary motion, expanding on his laws of orbital dynamics. With detailed notes appended later, Kepler's Dream not only presents a fantastical voyage but also serves as a rigorous exploration of the scientific principles underpinning space travel.
Set against the backdrop of religious and scientific upheaval, Kepler's Dream reflects the challenges of advancing revolutionary ideas in a conservative era. Kepler's innovative approach to astronomy and his veiled critiques of dogmatic beliefs brought him both acclaim and controversy, including a witchcraft trial for his mother. This work bridges medieval cosmology and the scientific revolution, offering a unique blend of rigorous inquiry and visionary speculation. Today, it stands as a testament to Kepler's brilliance and humanity's enduring curiosity about the cosmos. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1965.
