Memoir and Correspondence of Caroline Herschel


Read by Kevin Green

(5 stars; 5 reviews)

For many people, the name Caroline Herschel will be unfamiliar, but she was one of the most significant women on the English scientific scene during the late 18th and early 19th century. Sister of the well known William Herschel (he of the discovery of Uranus and its moons and many other significant scientific discoveries), she first worked as his assistant in his astronomical works, and then went on to become a noted astronomer in her own right. She discovered eight new comets in her lifetime, and was the first woman to be paid for her contribution to science, and was awarded a Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, made an Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society, an Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy of Science and was presented with a Gold Medal for Science by the King of Prussia on her 96th birthday. This book tells the fascinating story of her life through her letters, and commentary by her nephew's wife. Caroline Herschel was an important woman whose contributions to science should be more widely known. (Summary by Kevin Green) (10 hr 36 min)

Chapters

Introduction 9:03 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 1 - Recollections of Early Life in Hanover, Part 1 18:28 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 1 - Recollections of Early Life in Hanover, Part 2 28:32 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 2 - Life of the Brother and Sister in Bath, Part 1 28:26 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 2 - Life of the Brother and Sister in Bath, Part 2 25:14 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 2 - Life of the Brother and Sister in Bath, Part 3 37:07 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 3 - Life After her Brother's Marriage, Part 1 23:40 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 3 - Life After her Brother's Marriage, Part 2 21:01 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 3 - Life After her Brother's Marriage, Part 3 25:38 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 4 - Diary - continued - 1810 41:00 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 5 - Retrospection, Part 1 30:54 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 5 - Retrospection, Part 2 38:21 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 5 - Retrospection, Part 3 30:24 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 6 - Life in Hanover - continued, Part 1 39:07 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 6 - Life in Hanover - continued, Part 2 41:49 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 6 - Life in Hanover - continued, Part 3 39:54 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 7 - Sir John Herschel at the Cape, Part 1 23:39 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 7 - Sir John Herschel at the Cape, Part 2 25:37 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 7 - Sir John Herschel at the Cape, Part 3 30:25 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 7 - Sir John Herschel at the Cape, Part 4 24:58 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 7 - Sir John Herschel at the Cape, Part 5 22:27 Read by Kevin Green
Chapter 7 - Sir John Herschel at the Cape, Part 6 21:25 Read by Kevin Green
Appendix 9:12 Read by Kevin Green

Reviews

Excellent book. Well read


(5 stars)

If you're an amateur astronomer like myself, this is a fascinating book. Not only is it a great insight into Caroline Herschel's life, but her personality and closeness to family. Having been written by a family member, it probably errs on the genteel side, but nonetheless, still a good listen. Excellent reader too which is always a bonus on an amateur app like this.